Robin Madge

Do the papers contain the words to his songs as well? I occasionaly sing his DIY song and have an old cassette tape with that and The Comuter on somewhere in the loft. They still raise a chuckle. Robin

I find that there are about 33 buttons that I use on my 40 button concertinas, and that there are a few of the standard 30 button layout that I could do without! I am always using the left button on the middle row on the right hand. Robin

I know quite a few guitarist who play a lot in E and fiddle player who play a lot in A. It could be useful to play along with them. Robin

Think if you can add to the meaning of the lyrics. Taking an example from one song we do as Caffrey/McGurk/Madge, "The Halton Mining Disaster"; where birds are described as singing I do a trill and rapid notes, where a warning siren blares I play a loud chord. it may sound a bit like musical jokes but it does add to the experience of the performance. There are other subtler bits as well! Robin Madge

I'm not sure if my ebook tutor has been mentioned. Another approach to the Anglo concertina. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Another-Approach-Anglo-Concertina-Robin-ebook/dp/B01MSKQ4WT 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 I think. Robin

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 by Oakwood as a "Romani" I suspect the latter could well be the case for this one. It has one different end bolt, which looks like a Lachenal original, for some reason. This is an accordion reeded instrument with the reeds in pairs in each chamber, see photos. I purchased this after my main instrument was stolen, happily recovered within a year. Since then it has seen occasional use when I wanted to use a lighter instrument, although I prefer the 40 button layout of my main instrument. There are velcro patches attached which are for use with Microvox microphones. I can report that the instrument works well with the sound channeled through guitar footpedals as well. A video of the concertina being played is viewable at , Liberty Bell by Sousa arranged and transposed for D/G Anglo by myself. There has been some discussion about these instruments here before that might give you more background to them. Robin Madge.

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