Dinie Hengeveld – “Dinie Hengeveld and Her Magic Accordion”
So, there are many things about this record that stood out to me. Firstly, it’s on the Summit Sound label out of Westport, Ontario – owned by the fantastic Dave Daw of the Proverbs. Secondly, Dinie is from Brockville, and the address on the back cover is one I have walked past many times in my life. Thirdly, it’s a polka album, who doesn’t love polka music? Am right?
The A-Side opens with the track “It’s a Small World” and it’s a short track, but much like any album done with an organ, there is nothing wrong with these type of instrumental albums. It’s a slow paced song, one that I feel you can have a slow dance to. We continue with “Lady of Spain” which is another short track, but a bit faster and more upbeat. Personally, I find the accordion and the organ to be beautiful instruments. “La Paloma” continues to album, and it’s actually the longest song on the album, it’s slower though than the previous, but still an enjoyable listen. “How Great Thou Art” comes next, and you know, never heard it on an accordion. I like this though. It’s pretty great. Dinie is really good at her craft. She really can make you hear the words without actually ever doing any vocals. The A-Side closes out with “Maria Elena” and you know as I listen to this album, I can just imagine Dinie and her magic accordion playing in a restaurant along the strip in Brockville, or perhaps in Kingston sometime in the 70’s or 80’s.
The B-Side opens with “Skater’s Waltz” and I do wonder if it’s skater as in ice skater or roller skater – nonetheless, she definitely gives us another song that we can move to. You know, I’ve had this album for a number of years now (since 2016) and I regret only putting it on the turntable now, as it is a fantastic album filled with wonderful instrumentals. “Just Because” continues the album, and in this song she does a wonderful accordion “riff“(??) – not sure if that’s what you would call it, but it’s wonderful. “La Golondrina” comes next, and you know, when they call it a magic accordion they really do mean that, because a lot of the time I’m thinking I’m listening to a whole band, but it’s just one woman with an accordion. Simply Dinie. “Beyond the Sunset” continues the album, and we go back to the slower music, but still, it’s not awful. This is honestly up there with a lot of the great instrumental organ albums. But, I do feel like this sounds like “How Great Thou Art” again. The album closes out with “My Heart Cries for You” and what a wonderful way to close out an album, this album has been enjoyable from A-Side to B-Side, and I do hope to come across Dinie’s other album out there along the seaway.
Dinie Hengeveld passed away January 13th, 2011 – but her music and memory will live on for as long as we have physical media and the ability to share her name and songs with the world.
Catalog Number:
SS 1022
Credits:
Recorded at Summit Sound Studio
Produced and Engineered by Dave Daw
Jacket Photography by Piet De Zeeuw, Mallorytown
Jacket Concept, Logo, Layout and Design – Dave Daw
Released:
198?
Find it on Discogs
