The Lone Wild Bird
Adhyaropa, 2025
8/10
The Brooklyn composer and accordion player Will Holshouser brings us both originals and standards here, where jazz and world music ideas are present and appreciated.
The warm spirit of “Aviary” opens with Holshouser’s fluid accordion radiating much beauty, and the title track follows with a quicker pace of rich and timeless songwriting.
In the middle, “Shouting Song” carries plenty of harmonics amid the intricate progressions and busy climate, while “Abide With Me” is a very unique take on the Christian hymn via much grace from Holshouser’s hands.
Landing close to the end, “Papillons Et Nuages” is strong on ambience and mood, where the careful accordion makes an indelible impression, and “Chez Seychelles/Balfa Waltz” exits with tremendous attention to detail and infectious melodies thanks to Holshouser’s inimitable skills.
You might think a solo accordion album could be hard to finish, but Holshouer brings a wealth of talent and experience to a body of work you’ll want seconds of.
Travels well with: Ofri Nehemya- Time Traveler; Ezra- Froggy’s Demise