Squeezing on his own

“Tangos are probably my favorite things to play,” says Lenny DeLuxe. The multi-talented performer is referring to his new solo accordion CD, Main Squeeze, a collection of gems ranging from said tangos to Scott Joplin rags to original compositions. DeLuxe may be familiar to fans of the Atlanta variety revue DeLuxe Vaudeville Orchestra and the country-western nostalgia band Cowboy Envy, but this recording marks the 50-year accordion veteran’s first outing as soloist. And he seems pretty darned pleased with the results.

“For this recording, we [DeLuxe and engineer DeDe Vogt, also from Cowboy Envy] used four tracks on the accordion, giving it a very full, rich sound,” he says. “We tried not to overdo the effects, and it’s a pretty natural sound.” The four-track effect inspires Astor Piazzolla comparisons (although, as DeLuxe points out, he plays the accordion and Piazzolla played the smaller, similar-sounding bandoneon), and DeLuxe seems to have a natural flair for the tango.

But when asked about influences, DeLuxe doesn’t hesitate to emphasize his passion for musical theater. “I’d have to say that, by far, the most important influence in my style is Kurt Weill,” DeLuxe says.

Listeners are graced with a Weill composition on Main Squeeze. Were he alive, the Bertolt Brecht composer would not only be proud of that acknowledgement, he’d be proud of the way DeLuxe and friends keep alive the spirit of musical theater.




Lenny DeLuxe hosts an album release party for Main Squeeze Mon., June 9, at Dad’s Garage. Call for ticket price.