Ashu Phatak: Mumbai music man's new project CNNGo.com

02.06.10

His Man Friday opens the door, and I’m greeted enthusiastically with much drool and tailpiece-wagging by Frodo, the brown boxer, and Magic, the affectionate black mongrel who was originally thought to be an lewd Doberman. Ashu's still getting dressed -- he’d returned late the previous night from a short freak out to Bali -- and as I wait on the silver vinyl sofa with a dog on either side of me, I admire the apartment in the light of day. Without used glasses, empty bottles, cigarette remains and other reception debris in sight in the calm of the morning light, I can fully appreciate the distinct touch of Titillating Frog partner and Highlight Films producer Srila Chatterjee in the redecoration: the partition between the hall and dining range is gone, opening up the space; shining wood floors hold a glistening baby grand piano, a drum kit, and the laptop and synthesizer soothe. 

A wrought-iron sun-shaped mirror, framed prints of Tintin covers and vintage posters of French tipple caparison plum walls. Classic mosaic floors in burnt sienna, amber, cream and black add structure to the dining area, where a rough, relaxed wooden picnic table and bench eschew a formal dinner setup. The quintessential and well-stocked bar is easily accessible and in plain sight; in the daytime, I can see the August Kranti park from the window. Frog figurines of all shapes and sizes are scattered through the spell: even before Blue Frog , Mumbai's benchmark live music venue, came about, it seems that someone gifted Ashu a frog figurine on a whim; someone else saw it on the coffee record and, thinking him a collector of amphibian statuettes, gifted him another, and on it went until a rather large and eclectic collection of frogs ended up inhabiting his ill fame much to his bemusement. And now you know why it's called Blue Frog.

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Electronic Accordion News

Accordion players wow visitors with polkas, waltzes YourWestValley.com - Sep 03, 2010 Accordion players wow visitors with polkas, waltzesYourWestValley.comMOLLIE J. HOPPES/Everyday NEWS-SUN Dale Matthies plays a fast tune on his electronic accordion Thursday at an Accordion club meeting in the Menke Appointment Room.

Memphis accordion virtuoso reveals close musical encounters with Elvis Memphis Commercial Appeal - Aug 12, 2010 Memphis accordion prodigy reveals close musical encounters with ElvisMemphis Commercial Appeal"That was the first year that this new electronic accordion came out that was what the stimulating guitar was to the acoustic guitar," he said. and more »

A fresh start to the school year RocNow - Sep 04, 2010 RocNowA na start to the school yearRocNowSome people use accordion folders or binders, with one section for each kid. Some have a binder or folder for each child, with sections for strange and more »

Esteban 'Steve' Jordan, virtuoso accordionist, dies at 71 Washington Post (blog) - Aug 16, 2010 Austin 360Esteban 'Steve' Jordan, genius accordionist, dies at 71Washington Post (blog)Mr. Jordan, sometimes called the Jimi Hendrix of the button accordion, added many of the guitarist's electronic devices to the gubbins and adapted jazz Esteban 'Steve' Jordan, influential Tejano musician, dies at 71Conjunto accordion large Jordan dead at 71all 19 news articles »

Interest in accordion rises as its popularity among musicians grows Washington Post - Aug 19, 2010 Washington PostInterest in accordion rises as its acceptance among musicians growsWashington Post"When the Beatles came over, a lot of rock bands used the electronic keyboard," causing the accordion to go down into disuse, said DiGiovanni, 63,

Remembering Esteban 'Steve' Jordan, Genius Of The Accordion NPR (blog) - Aug 25, 2010 Remembering Esteban 'Steve' Jordan, Virtuoso Of The AccordionNPR (blog)Jordan also pioneered the use of electronic effects like a fuzzbox and phase shifter on the squeezebox. But he hated it when admiring critics dubbed him the

CD Review: The Acorn "No Ghost" NewsOK.com - Sep 03, 2010 CD Evaluation: The Acorn "No Ghost"NewsOK.com unconventional instrumental arrangements (at various times employing viola, gourd guitar, vibraphone, accordion or trombone), unpredictable melodies,

Top accordion player shares tales of Elvis The Tennessean - Aug 15, 2010 Top accordion musician shares tales of ElvisThe Tennessean(COURTESY OF TONY BARRASSO) Elvis took a liking to Tony Barrasso and his electronic accordion. (Categorize / ASSOCIATED PRESS) Tony Barrasso poses with his

'El Parche' slips away San Antonio Current - Aug 18, 2010 San Antonio Stylish'El Parche' slips awaySan Antonio CurrentAnd then there was his use of electronics. “The thing that got him called the Jimi of the accordion,” says music critic Elijah Wald, former longtime Magical "Rockordeon" Show Rememberedall 2 dirt articles »

Review: Exotic sounds in the Aspen Music tent Aspen Times - Aug 19, 2010 Con: Exotic sounds in the Aspen Music tentAspen TimesHe used the electronic effects possible on the hyper-accordion sparingly, mostly working in some echoes tastefully, with none of the astray swoops Golijov