There was a time when you wanted to enjoy music,
the options were limited. The only audio source was the radio. Most of the time
it was AIR (All India Radio), or if one had a good band spread (like a
five band radio) then one was lucky to get Radio Ceylon or VOA (Voice of
America) or the BBC.
Coming back to the AIR, I enjoyed listening to some
selected programs and one of them was a fifteen minute slot for instrumentals.
Somehow I always preferred instrumental to the actual singing. Some of the
famous instrumental players of those times were Enoch Daniels on the accordion
and Van Shipley on the guitar. It was a pleasure to listen to them, even during
the time when there were no stereo recordings.
As for the accordion I always wondered how they
coordinated the movements of pressing the keys with the right hand and the bass
buttons with the left hand. And that puts a thought in my mind, how does a left
handed guy play an accordion?
Recently I was fortunate enough to be introduced to
Enoch Daniels by a mutual friend. When I told him about being his fan, he
narrated his story about how he almost joined the Indian Army, till one of his
close friends pointed out about the choice of career and his God given gift of
creating music.
That made him think twice about joining the Army
and from there on it was smooth sailing for him. He was one of the first to
introduce the accordion in India.
Here he is with Van Shipley and Talat Mehmood
during one of their trips to Europe.
I think he is the only artist who was selected by Columbia to
cut 40 records (all solo) This was after he was ‘noticed’ during his
performance at the Royal Albert Hall London.
With Mohammed Rafi, one of the best singers India had.
I must say he looks good and moves around very
briskly for a person who is almost eighty. He was ready to change location for
a better background when our mutual friend tried to click us.
I wanted the
pictures to be sort of ‘candid’ but it turned out that I was the only one
looking candid while Enoch did not play his part of being ‘candid’ :-)
The background here is the 145 year old St
Paul’s church in Pune, one of the well
maintained churches that I have seen.
More on the church and the 100 year old pipe organ
in my next post.
33 comments:
The good old days of Radio Ceylon and AIR brings back memories when life was so simple....
Memories came flooding back! My grand dad had an old stereo back at home ... and he had some Enoch Daniel records too. Remember those old black coloured records that ran on 75 or 45 rpm? Loved this post Haddock! :-)
You got to meet him??!!! Oh lucky you ... lucky you! :-)
AIR was simple and good.
It indeed is a pleasure to meet such great artists..
Oh- What great memories. I really liked the old records-and had quite a few of them as a kid/young adult. Great post! Diana
Wonderful post with nostalgia. Enoch Daniels and Van Shipley were my favorites as well. Radio Ceylon was available at 19, 21 meters band. There used to be a special session on instrumental (film) music which I never used to miss.
Fascinating reading, I feel like I have learnt such a lot.
A lovely post. When I saw the name Enoch Daniels, I had to read the post. These days it's hard to see someone play an accordion. Thanks for this post.
Joy always,
Susan
P. S: You look like a priest :)
Now I understand your radio comment on my post! How wonderful that you were able to meet one of your favorite musicians in person. He does look young for his age. It must be the influence of all that wonderful music over the years.
The mention of AIR and Radio Ceylon...reminds me of all the saga my mom had to share. I also remember a large wooden box (radio) sitting on a shelf at my uncle's home as a kid.
Ha ha.... I like that Susan.
My wife says "tell Susan not to go by the cover of the book" :-)
Seeing a picture of the radio here, I yearn for those simpler times that many of us remember. When one sat down to 'listen' and not demand to be 'entertained'. When it was the talent of the vocalist and the skill of the instrumentalists that enthralled us, not the costumes or the setting or the moves.
such an interesting and talented person!!!
miss those radio days of VOA and AIR India...FM aint the same thing!! remember having tucked the transistor on my ear and sleep listening to the songs at night :)
http://sushmita-smile.blogspot.in/
Abeautiful trip down memory lane started with the pic of the radio ...then wow ,you actually met Enoch Daniels !I too used to wonder like you about left handed people and the accordion ..have you managed to get an answer to the doubt ???
Great trip down memory lane there! Hugs and blessings, Cindy
Oh and BTW...I love Jim Reeves! Cindy
Dear Haddock,
after reading your interesting post I listened to Enoch Daniels playing piano accordion at Billimora in 2009 - impressive! As you met him 'in real life' - could he explain to you how a left-hander plays the accordeon?
I know little about the accordion and Enoch Daniels but one of my favorite music is "Nostalgia". I'm not sure but I suspect this piece is performed on the accordion. It's really lovely! Looking forward to the 100 year old pipe organ post!
PS
Thanks for visiting my blog the other day!!
Haddock,
I enjoyed this post and the one prior. You are truly one who honors and appreciates the work of your elders. I am sure you are a blessing to those you interact with. I am glad I stopped here today, thank you for commenting on my porch here in Northern Indiana! I have friends who do work in Chiluvuru, Indian. Here is their link - is that far from you? http://www.mennoclinicindia.org/
Blessings!
Love the shot where you're 'candid' while he is posing :-)
i've never heard an accordion played live--that's something i need to fix immediately!
A informative post indeed!! I have seen this instrument playing in the movies and subways but never took interest to know what it was!but u enlightened me with accordion and the key players!!
thank you!
Went to search him up, and what beautiful accordion sounds. I've always been fascinated by the accordion. Lovely post, looking forward to your next one!
True My Lens
hi there!!! thanks for dropping by... you should visit Italy! i'm sure you'll love it!!!
great site btw.. interesting posts you have here!!!
greetings. xoxo, Haus of Gala
What a great post! I didn't know much about him before reading this post. I enjoy listening to instrumentals. Accodians are fascinating instruments! How great that you were able to meet him. Terrific pictures.
~Jess
I really loved this post. Loved all the pictures, especially the one with the church background.
Enoch Daniels and Van Shipley. Clearly remember i was in class 2. Used to listen to both on Dad's first stereo set on 33rpm and 45rpm...His Masters Voice...
Thanx for bringing all back,Come September,LA International Airport...
oh simply love the sight of the Radio...we had something very similar...and it was a Philips RADIO.
I too was a fan of Enoch Daniel and Van Shipley and the music created by them! Thanks a lot for reviving the memories of that era:)
I have read so many remarkable comments on the net regarding Mr Enoch Daniels,a man undoubtedly the best.I loved his music.As A child I remember hearing his music on the accordion on Radio Ceylon and in the Rayman Circus his records were usually played. I remember his song being played from the movie APRIL FOOL -Aa gale lag ja mere sapne,which was awesome .Very recently I had sent an e-mail to him and was very lucky that he responded,that was indeed so very nice of him
Dr Hemant Kumar Prof and Head Pediatrics
Govt Medical College
It was nice of you to have commented Dr Hemant.
Maybe you can pass on this link to him so that he can also read it, or perhaps he may be already aware of it
As a school going boy I uesd to hear about Enoch Daniels, my father used to praise him then,Now down memory lane when I think about Enoch Daniels
I am proud that I have heard him play.....
Wanted to say thanks to you for such lovely write up on Enoch Daniels, one of the most talented accordion players! Accordion happens to be one of my favorite instrument & I am simply floored by the music it produces, each time I listen to it being played. So while searching for the topic "Accordion & Bollywood", chanced upon your wonderful blog on Sir Daniels. Many regards to him. At the back of my mind, I have been toying with the idea of picking up an accordion & learn to play it someday! Thanks once again!
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