Robin Madge

Is it a scent of nutmeg by any chance? I was told that some concertina owners kept a nutmeg in their concertina cases in the belief that it would help the bellows remain supple. When I bought my 40 button wheatstone C/G it had a nutmeg in the case. Robin

In a similar vein, one zoom session that I participate in had a "Secret Santa" event where various people's names were drawn out of a hat to suggest songs for other participants that they had been paired with. It gave an oportunity to try out a song (or tune) from an unfamiliar genre. Robin

There are so many highlights. Until I think of another one, I would put playing improvisations in an instrumental section of a performance of "Knocking on Heaven's Door" with my old group Blind Panic back in the 90's. This was on D/G anglo with pickups and through a chorus pedal, digital delay pedal and graphic equaliser! We used to call it the welsh song...... "knocking on Evans' door". Recently with the current trio (Caffrey/McGurk/Madge) I would put playing my own tune "Coire Laggan" together with "Farewell to Tawathy", I really love the way they complement each other. Next album

The last time I had an eye test my optician remarked that I must have a slight nickel allergy as the frames were reacting to my sweat. Apparently some people suffer from this condition, in varying degrees, that seems to act in a self destructive loop. The allergy causes sweat, which then attacks the metal more, releasing more ions to aggravate the allergy. i just try to keep the ends clean and wipe the finger tips to absorb sweat occasionally whilst playing a session. Robin

This concertina has now been sold Robin

Thank you for the comment. I have taught the tune to the concertina but cannot guarantee that the concertina will teach it to the new owner? Robin

I am selling my D/G 30 button Norman/Gremlin anglo. It is on eBay at https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/264555415337. Their are several photos there including one showing Andrew's signature and date. The instrument is in Wheatstone/Lachenal layout and has the Saxon design of end plate that Andrew still uses on his logo. Gremlin is stamped on both metal end plates, but only shows at one end as they are the same stamping flipped over for the two ends! Some of the sets of reeds for these concertinas were supplied by Hohner and some from Italy. As the instrument was sold to me

I still quite often find myself remembering him and his cheerful modesty when I am amongst concertina players. Robin Madge

Anne and I use those cheap cycle cape style coveralls that you tend to get at Blackpool and other seaside resorts. I call the look of them "boil in the bag Morris musician". Robin

Might be an idea to enquire of Harry Lowery (of Yesterday's Men) what he thinks as I know that he does a fair amount of hymn playing on both English and Maccan systems. Robin Madge

I seem to remember that Bob Bradbury had one in Somerset, back in the 1980s when I bought my 40 button C/G Wheatstone from him. He was in two minds which to sell. Robin

There is going to be a large faction who want the person chosen to be female. I believe Ada Lovelace is leading the polls at the moment. Robin

As an Anglo player married to an English player for over 25 years I would say it is just as difficult to try and learn the English when already an Anglo player. It beats me anyway! And as for a Duet... Robin

For playing for morris I usually have to play standing holding the concertina because quite often we are processing and I use a light canvas case on these occasions. For performance with the trio I mainly stand holding the concertina(s), (we need to sing in several keys!) but have my custom built concertina case in front of me to put my foot on if I want to use my knee for support during instrumental sections where I might need better control of the bellows. My custom concertina case is in the form of four pigeonholes, two above two, with an additional centre section for odds and ends,

If I go for a long walk with arms hanging freely I find that my fingers eventually become swollen and movement in them is affected and slowed. I can feel the beginnings of this condition when holding the concertina too low, say and angle of greater than 120 degrees. Robin Madge