Hohner Houses

Hohner counter display # 600 from 1925 and the real thing (come & see) from an auction. Every collectors dream especially if they have the working base.

Left to Right: 1970’s counter top display for fourteen harmonicas. 2001 standing Hohner Harmonica display from 1989/90 (2001 was the product number not the year) and from circa 2000 a small counter top for fourteen harps.

Down Under

The calluses of winter still numbing in the sun. Like the faded picture from 2001. Things have made me stronger and weaker all the same. There is no one here to blame.

Benoit: Sometimes words, they’re not even needed

Finally ‘Mountain’ has come to pass. Benoit’s follow up to ‘Valley’ displays all of his creative songwriting/poetic skills. The album has its roots in a tough time, but all roads lead to the beauty of the natural world. I’ll let Benoit take the reins from here, “Mountain includes songs of uncertainty, disenchantment and loss that seek to illuminate these experiences as necessary landscapes to traverse. Not understood as a wall to knock down or a lion to flee from, but as a friend that points to the soft golden autumn leaves falling on the dew capped grass. It’s morning and the feeling is new.”

I have to say in this day and age of single releases, Benoit’s album, ‘Mountain’ keeps the album concept (even the concept album) alive and well. As per usual, Dave Miller has utilised his know-how to produce an album that’s pure in its essence. He even adds his guitar expertise with a tasty little riff on My Eastern side. There’s a wee bit of harp from yours truly on several of the tunes. Impossible to highlight any of the tracks – they’re all killers, no fillers.

Head over to our favourite platform Bandcamp to purchase the album – just click on the highlighted album name above.

Up Over

Hazmat’s latest album release ‘Bonfire’ is a fantastic follow up to the outstanding ‘Box Of Breath’. The album dropped in May, which escaped my attention as this one is yet to land on Bandcamp! I’m glad I went looking to see what Wade (Schuman) and the gang were up to. Love the brass, the harp, the vocal – in fact, I just love their whole package. Do your self a service and have a listen. Personal faves include; Late At Night, Walk It Off and Garden Of Grievance.

It was a decent hour and a half drive to Selby Folk Club to help launch our mate Benoit’s latest album ‘Mountain’. We were happy to leave Wonnie (we had recorded 32mm of rain in the previous 24 hours) for the drier clime of the Dandenong Ranges. 😂 That’s what can happen in winter when you live on the coast, apparently – even in an El Niño! All because the IOD (Indian Ocean Dipole) is in neutral.

Nathan Goodwin warmed the night with a wonderful set of beautifully penned tunes, fabulous vocals and finger picking guitar. Nathan has ventured out from behind the drum kit to forge a solo career and he’s well on the way.

Benoit took to the stage with the aroma of mulled wine permeating the room. The first set consisted of a stripped back version of tunes off the album with Ben Langdon adding acoustic lead and Tina Nabb harmonising on vocals.

The rhythm section were interpolated for the second set, John Schmidli on drums and Zack Grace, bass and vocal treats. I joined in for the first number, I’ve been stranded out on my own and then swiftly exited stage right. A few more ‘Mountain’ tunes were given the full treatment. A classic cover of Bob Dylan’s Tangled Up In Blue was rendered and a fantastic folky night was completed with a tasty encore of Benoit’s hit Familiar Cliche.

Back to the shanty to have a butcher’s at the Test match from the comfort of our new Uncle Ned.

Tell ‘em they’re Dreamin’!

The local Bazaar has an unused (old shop stock) Hohner Marine Band Echo #683 on sale for $450. This double side tremolo harp has four keys in one A, D, C & G. (1960’s?). Below is my standard double side Marine Band Tremolo – used. (Circa 1930)

Riff Raff

I’m looking into researching mouth organ history for our new township. In 1925, the same year as South Street Ballarat was crowning the inaugural National Mouth Organ Champion, Wonthaggi held their own competition a month later searching for the South Gippsland Champion. Like the Ballarat competition, only Boomerang Mouth Organs could be used. Who won? P. C. Spouse won at Ballarat, but at Wonthaggi I have no idea. More to come I hope.

Late update!! After drafting this I now have the name of the winner. 👏🏻 I’ll tell you when I publish the article. Nothing like a bit of suspense.

Major – Minor Chromonica

A new comment (you’ll have to scroll right down – there’s been a few) was placed on Mr Versatility from a gentleman who bought several of Barry Sandford’s harmonicas. I sought Guru Pat’s help on his question and subsequently located said harmonica (plus another) in a Hohner Catalogue.

Collier’s Crackajack Mouth Organ Orchestra

Harold Collier’s Crackajack Mouth Organ Orchestra returned to South Street Ballarat Championships in 1928 to compete in the Minstrel Entertainment Section. I hope they were more like 17th century minstrels and not the other kind popular of that time! The year before they were unplaced in the Dance Orchestra Competition. It wouldn’t be until the following year that a Mouth Organ Band contest was staged. The Age (13 October, 1928) had incorrectly referred to them as the Crackajack Mouth Organ Band, which was actually Alf Fletcher’s. An expose on Alf and the confusion between the two bands is in the pipeline.

A comment was posted on Collingwood’s Crackajack Collier this month too, by Harold & Nellie’s son, Geoff. Appears the Collingwood footballer in the Crackajack Mouth Organ advertisement from a 1930 Football Record could be Harold Collier’s cousin, Harry. Hopefully we may have a wee bit of Collier memorabilia for your optics in the near future.

Next Month’s Feature

Next month’s main feature is a ghostly account of harmonica hauntings with a focus on harmonica exponent Ernest Garibaldi Hosking. If you missed last month’s here’s a link to hitch a ride on the Cobber Coach.

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