The English Concertina

Invented in 1835, the concertina (a small accordion) has long been associated with a wide variety of music ranging from classical to popular and folk. Richard Carlin, music scholar and concertina virtuoso, has compiled this recording reflecting not only the types of music played on the instrument but national groups’ and individual performers’ styles across time. This collection of recordings spans the period from the 1920s to the 1970s.

The liner notes, written by Carlin, present the history of the concertina and information about the music and performers. Carlin recorded two other albums for Folkways (“In Came a Bumblebee” – FW08846, and ”The Poppy Seed” – FW 08847) and is the author of the book Worlds of Sound: The Story of Smithsonian Folkways.