Instrumental

• "Gus Viseur : Les Inoubliables de l'Accordeon."
  (  MM 397902 )
  If you only buy one CD or remember one name in your (musette) life - this is the name and this is the CD! Great composer, great playing. Too much swing and good taste for his time, so he did not get as much recognition as others that I won't mention. But his time has come.  (ol)
• "Gus Viseur : Accordion Swing Vol. 1."
  ( Forlane 19128 )
  It features covers of swing tunes like "Tiger Rag", "I've Got Rhythm", "St. Louis Blues", a few Reinhardt covers "Daphne"(played solo by guitarist Sarane(?) Ferret) and "Swing 41" as well as some very nice french tunes "Phillipe's Stomp", "Nostagie", "Fait Express" and "Blue Guitare" written by Sarane Ferret. (from our correspondent Ted)
• "Paris Musette"
  ( LLL 207 and JAM 9113-2 )
  A collection of 3 CDs with beautiful modern recordings of authentically played musette. Some of the musicians on these sessions were active in the "golden days" of the musette, some 30 or 40 years ago. A definite must have (after you buy our CDs of course...).  (oz)
• "Accordeon - Musette / Swing / Paris 1925 - 1942"
  ( Femeaux & Associes - F&A0005 )
  A nice 2-CD compilation of original recordings from some the great accordeon players, Tony Murena, Joseph Colombo, Gus Viseur, etc... The one I have is volume 2 so I assume there is a volume 1, but I haven't heard it. (oz)
• "Paris sur valse - Jacques Bolognesi, Leo Petit"
  ( Vogue - BM 680 )
  Musette played absolutely straight. May not be for everyday listening, but a great resource to hear (and learn) the tunes played slowly and simply. (oz)
• "Jo Privat : Manouche Partie"
  ( Nocturne NTCD 308 )
  The best CD of Jo Privat. Recorded in 1960 and 1966 with gypsy guitar player Jean "Metelot" Ferret. Best example of musette-gypsy swing includes standard gypsy tunes like: Black Eyes, Kalinka, Two Guitars, and some Jo Privat and Django Reinhardt compositions.  (ol)
• "Emile Vacher : Les Inoubliables de l'Accordéon, Vols 1 and 2"
  ( Music Memoria MM 880602 )
  The creator of the musette style. Recordings from 1928 to 1939. Vintage flavor due to piano and brass accompaniment.  (ol)
• "Charles Peguri : Compositions 1907 - 1930."
  ( FA 021 )
  Italian immigrant makes the fusion of Italian and Auvergnat music that we know as musette. First accordionist to record in France -  scratchy but lots of feeling.  (ol)
• "Colombo : Compositions 1924 - 1942."
  ( FA 009 )
  Italian immigrant... same as above but 20 years later. A constant source of inspiration for the BQ (we play Indifférence, Passion, Germaine).  (ol)
• "Emile Prud'homme : Les Inoubliables de l'Accordeon."
  ( MM 882422 )
  Recording from 1935 to 1941. "Mimile" was extremely popular. He appeared in some movies before WWII and his band travelled all over France until his death in 1974. He recorded more than 1000 records and did not hesitate to sing the chorus with his characteristic Parisian accent.  (ol)
• "La Legende du Musette 1927 - 1942."
  (2 CD:  EPM 982732 )
  A good way to sample these golden years. All the good guys are present in this 51 tune compilation.  (ol)
• "Javas "Musette": The Genuine French Java."
  ( EPM 995382 )
  To get acquainted with (and learn to dance) the only dance invented in Paris (in 1920). 18 javas, well chosen.  (ol)
• "Alexander: Les inoubliables de l'accordeon"
  ( MM 879632 )
  Unpretentious and happy CD from the 30s, the closest thing to the BQ spirit and feel by the orchestra of Parisian accordion player and composer Maurice Alexander (1900-1980). (ol)
• "Accordeon au feminin, Les as du musette"
  ( PJC 222007 )
  Nicely packaged CD(R.Crumb) hommage to the women of musette, very inspiring to look at the old photos and listen to these talented pioneers in skirts. (ol)

Singers

• "Charles Trenet"
  ...any of his recordings. We play quite a few of Trenet's songs, although none made it on our CD. Even if you've never heard his name, you'll probably recognize quite a few of his songs (La mer, Que reste-t'il de nos amours, Mamselle clio, L'ame des poetes, etc...). (oz)
• "Arletty and Michel Simon"
  ( SOL 548 )
  Both very famous actors. Arletty is the main character in the cult movie "Children of Paradise". Despite a busy music-hall career she recorded very few songs. Listen to her remarkable "faubourian" accent in songs and bits of dialogues. Michel Simon was quite an original character he appears in "L'Atalante" and many other films of the time. He is not famous for his singing but his voice is intantly recognizable. (ol)
• "Albert Préjean, les étoiles de la chanson"
  ( MM31098 )
  Another hard working actor of the 30s. Most of his songs were written to enhance his parts in movies. (ol)
• "Fréhel, 1927-1934"
  ( Chansophone 105 )
  Her epic life is still a topic of amazement: beauty, decadence, drugs, talent. The greatest popular singer of her time. Look for her cameo in "Pepe le Moko". Most of her lyrics have to do with the "musette" life: bad boys, prostitutes, pimps, misery and more...Not dated at all. (ol)
• "Réda Caire: le séducteur"
  ( Forlane UCD 19071 )
  True to the title, he seduces you with his honey tenor tone. You dream of velvet drapes, rendez-vous, taylored suit and silk hanky drying your happy tears. (ol)
• "Ray Ventura et ses collégiens"
  A big jazzy band inpired by the cabaret traditon and the U.S. Great comic and tender singers, wonderfully witty songs with sound effects. Still a classic in France with their most famous song "Tout va très bien Madame la Marquise". Unfortunately WW2 stopped their career. (ol)
• "Marianne Oswald: l'art de Marianne Oswald, 1932-1937"
  ( EPM 982272 )
  Unique on the Parisian cabaret scene. She did not have the "pretty" woman voice "de rigueur" in the 30s, in fact she usually sounds pissed. The darling of the intellectuals including the poet Jean Cocteau. She sings Brecht in French and other great lyrics by famous writers. If you like it raw... (ol)

Tango

• "Tango, an anthology - Baltazar Benitez and Alfredo Marcucci"
  ( Channel Crossings - CCS 5393 )
  A modern recording of old tango favorites played on guitar and bandoneon. (oz)
• "Grandes Del Tango Instrumental"
  ( Music Hall MH 10.038-2 )
  Original recordings of intrumental tangos, with all the necessary drama... Absolutely necessary in any tango collection. (oz)
• "The tango kings"
  ( Big World BW 2016 )
  A bit more modern than the stuff we play, but proves that there are people other than Astor Piazzolla who can crank up some good modern tango. (oz)