Dominic Cortese, Angelo Di Pippo, Bob Creash, Billy Costa All Accordion Band [1965]

Time Records Series 2000 S/2172

Perhaps someone at Time felt there just was not enough accordion in the preceding Dominic Cortese solo LPs. All Accordion Band features Dom Cortese joined by Billy Costa, Bob Creash, and Angelo Di Pippo. Is it truly an all-accordion band? No. There also are guitar, bass, piano, celeste, drums, and other percussion. In addition to"Sabre Dance," "Tico Tico," and other standards, Creash and Cortese contribute "Bullfrog and the Grasshopper."Di Pippo wrote "Wrong Note Polka" and "Bajon"; all these are among the more successful compositions. 

Curiously, the liners promise subsequent All Accordion Band recordings. [AllMusic]

Dominic Cortese Accordion Continental [1963]

 Time Records Series 2000 S/2077

Dominic Cortese Accordion [1961]

Time Records Series 2000 S/2029

The discovery of Dominic Cortese, known in the early days of his career as just Dom Cortese, is the discovery of the missing link between Elvis Presley and Steve Lacy. The concept of a first-call session artist who has done so many recording sessions he admits he can't remember what half of them were, is thrilling to be sure. Does he remember working with Bob Dylan? Like, what about the weird recording session involving Dylan with Emmylou Harris singing backup, Eric Clapton picking lead guitar, and oddball instrument inventor Vincent Bell chiming in on his "bellzouki?" Does he remember that? Does he remember the really beautiful jazz album swing jazz guitarist John Pizzarelli put together for the Telarc label, the one with several arrangements showcasing Cortese's accordion versatility? Certainly, he must remember the recording sessions for the Cher/Nicholas Cage romantic vehicle Moonstruck. That was when he played so beautifully that the contractor fired the entire orchestra and redid the track as an accordion solo. 

All Accordion Band Featuring Angelo Di Pippo, Bob Creash, Dominic Cortese, Don Burns Accordion Capers [1965]

Time Records Series 2000 S/2192
Cover Art by Jack Lonshein

Cortese first began recording during the height of the so-called "hi-fi" era in the '60s. One album from the period that accordion fans are known to arm wrestle each other for is the classy All Accordion Band on Time, in which Cortese and three of his favorite fellow accordion masters go wild in the absence of any other instruments to restrain them.

Dominic Cortese Accordion Italy [1963]

Time Records Series 2000 S/2048

Dom Cortese is a consummate session accordionist, appearing on most of the Command and Time records made in the 1960s for consumers (or salesmen) intent on showing off the miracle of stereo. On his solo records, Cortese remains in the company of his fellow Command "all-star" session men: Tony Mottola, Phil Bodner, Harry Breuer, Phil Kraus, and Bob Rosengarden.