NFT's Got You Covered! Philip Glass with an accordion

Happy Pi Day!

what capitalism was - plays philip glass on accordion (2009)

This here is a very interesting cover album of the one and only Philip Glass, the master of all things classical, minimal and composing. That being said, Glass and his music is not the easiest task to handle. Not every band can cover a musician like Glass as if his work can easily be re-rubbed countlessly like Daniel Johnston or The Beatles; it's a very different style, a style that if redone is usually called a tribute or just performing (and usually requires a symphony or orchestra). what capitalism was is not every band (or even a big band for that matter), yet takes the challenge into his own hands, and in those hands he bares a very interesting looking foldy piano thingy.

what capitalism was AKA John Catfish also of indie folk band, Super Daughter brews up 9 accordion driven covers in homage of Glass from his extensive catalog. A feet that blows me away and, even though the songs are not absolutely perfect, you try listening to Cloudscape and then go and play it on an accordion. Do you even know anyone who owns an accordion? Come on. John also even throughs on his own spoken word sampling that is featured in Glass's Einstein On The Beach doozy, "Knee 1".

Other Philip Glass accordion renditions include "Jacura River" from Aguas de Amazonia (performed by Uakti from 12 pieces of ballet (1993/1999)), "Facade" from Glassworks (1982), "Aria from Act III of Satyagraha" from Circles, "Floe" (*example below*) from Glassworks, "Etoile Polaire" originally on Night Star (1977), "Subterraneans" from Symphony No. 1, "Low" (based on David Bowie's Low (1992)), and "Resource" from  Koyaanisqatsi (score (1982)).

All in all, this is a mighty fine attempt. Definitely for anyone who likes Philip Glass or accordion or both.  It could also be a good way of introducing you to Glass's music in an even more minimal way. Oh yeah, and it could be a good way of introducing you to what capitalism was. Not so much what "capitalism" was but what John Catfish's solo project is all about. John Catfish may play guitar and banjo must of the time but the accordion fun doesn't stop with Philip Glass, no, John also has an album dedicated to the Italian journalist and short storier, Italo Calvino (Plays Italo Calvino on Accordion), which in itself features covers of music by Nico Muhly, Johann Johannsson and Michael Nyman, and another album entitled songs for east german accordion.

Last.fm (all tracks free)
Philip Glass