Mark,
I only have experience with the single row "Cajun" accordion, but , yes the distonic is a bit different.
You could think of it as an over grown harmonica.
Unlike other instruments, it is primarilly a "lead" instrument, and it will sound a little "plain" when played by itself. Kind of like playing lead guitar without any other accompliment.
Jude

I have some musician friends who have difficulty playing along because the accodion is loud and the cords are not right.

I have always considered the bass notes a little like the drones on a bag pipe. The advantage is they can provide rythem and are somewhat harmonious.

The problem comes when you try to use them as accompanement, there are simply not enough of the right cords.

Then again, how much dymanic range does a triangle have? Yet I love the sound it adds to the whole.

RPr

The diatonic accordion was designed to be a one-man band. You should be able to play more than adequately without a backing band. Admittedly, you're limited to the keys you can play in and the chords you select but there's plenty of people who play in the European traditions who play brilliantly without extra backing.