Album: Richard Galliano, Paris Concert (Camjazz)

Solo accordion from Franco-Italian master Galliano, recorded live at the Théâtre du Châtelet in March this year.

It’s a carriage-trade set that takes a while to get going, and one can question how much the two Erik Satie “Gnossiennes” add. But from Galliano’s own “Bagatelle” halfway through, everything suddenly takes off. Versions of “Round Midnight”, “La Javanaise”, “Caruso” and “Oblivion” are all outstanding, while the air, keys and bellows of the mighty instrument seem right there in the room with you.