Pocketless Piccolo

Following on from last month’s look at the Hohner trademark variations, I had mentioned I might take a look at my Hohner Piccolo harmonica (High G) with the star in the trademark. I have. Piccolo translates to small and this diatonic measures in at a fraction longer than three inches. This little beauty was purchased five years ago from an antique establishment in Almutahl Germany for eight euros. I had just taken interest in Charlie McCoy and knew he liked to use these type of harps (Vest Pocket Harp – one of the same) for playing higher octaves mostly with the high ‘G’. I believe his ‘G#/Ab’ was custom made. I had never seen one in a push box or with covers nailed on – small nails that look like screws. And on this basis it was added to the Shep menagerie.

Pat ‘Guru’ Missin kindly provided HRR with information on both models. “Model #214 was first sold in 1903 under the names “Vest Pocket Harp” and “Boy’s Ideal”, although I have never seen any evidence of the latter, aside from an article in MTR. The earliest I’ve ever seen “Piccolo” was from the 1920s and model 214 was sold as both “Piccolo” and “Vest Pocket Harp” concurrently. Presumably, the names were for different markets, but even though “vest” has a very different meaning in the UK, I never saw a “Piccolo” until the 80s. Thanks – I’ve never seen them in a box (or nailed) like that.”

I cajoled Pat into revealing more detail on the UK vest and in what keys were available for the Vest Pocket Harp. “They don’t have pockets and harmonicas were not called harps in the UK until after the blues boom of the 60s but for some reason, we seemed to get the “Vest Pocket Harp” rather than the “Piccolo”. Weird. As far as I can make out from catalogs, price lists, etc., from the 50s to the late 90s, the VPH was available in “all keys”, meaning Bb, C, D, E, F, G and A. It seems that it morphed into the Piccolo in the late 80s (with the catalogs calling it “Vest Pocket” in brackets), keeping the same set of keys until around 2000ish, when it becomes only available in C.”

In the UK an undershirt is known as a vest it is what we would call a singlet in Australia. I think however, due to our obvious connection to the old dart, earlier on we too may have known it as a vest. Looking through Australian newspaper advertisements of the fifties and sixties, it appears the Vest Pocket was more prominent in music emporiums than its counterpart.

I also questioned Pat if minor keys had been available? “Oddly, in the UK the VPH was only available in the keys of C, G and sometimes A. I have a Hohner UK catalog from 1989 that lists the Piccolo as being available in “all major, all minor”, but I also have one from 1990 that lists it as available in Bb, B, C, D, E, F, G and A major, plus Cm, Fm and Gm. I wonder if that is a mistake in the 1989 catalog, as it is shown next to the Orchester 1, which is also shown as available in “all major, all minor”. Maybe someone got carried away with the copying and pasting? Of course, the usual caveats apply concerning info from catalogs and the like, although I am at least fairly confident that the dates of the UK catalogs are fairly reliable”.

Here’s some info on why ‘B’ was an ‘H’ in Germany. 🇩🇪

Aussie Chesty Bond Singlets.

Chesty Bond is a National Icon down under. Created in 1940 as a comic strip character to promote the Bonds Athletic Singlet. It continued to be published until 1963.

The Aussie 80’s Singlet Brigade!

For more on diatonic harmonicas on the wee side, head to Three Inches Big and for those even smaller Beware Choking Hazard.

Albums

I have downloaded quite a few tunes from this excellent series of live Aussie desk tape recordings from the Australian Road Crew Association (ARCA). Doug Parkinson, Russell Morris and Goanna to name just a few. And now I’ve added several tracks from their recent drop, ‘Ariel Live at Martini’s’ that features Mike Rudd blowin’ the ‘Wee Brass Band’. Check out Hot Sweet Love/Cypherland Blues, Red Hot Momma/ Some Good Advice and of course his classic I’ll Be Gone. The cause is one dear to all our hearts as where would we be without our Roadies. The project raises funds for financial, health, counselling and wellbeing services for roadies and crew in crisis. Do yourself a service and check out (and support) ARCA’s site.

And then there was another. ARCA released ‘Tour Of Duty’ coinciding with ANZAC day. This live recording from Christmas 1999, is from the benefit concert for the troops in East Timor which was screened on our two major television networks. This has what we (HRR) believe is the best harmonica live version of John Farnham’s Chain Reaction. Isn’t that right Steve? Steve Williams’ harmonica genius is witnessed in all its refinery. If you haven’t, have a gander at my interview with Steve re Chain Reaction.

Singles

I’m here for you
The things you taught me I’m now teaching you
Hold my hand when the cold sets in
(Claire Moodie)

Two singles from way out west that feature the starvation stick. Firstly, from Fremantle, folk duo Sea Swallow’s melodic Tables Have Turned. Love the vocal from Glasgow songbird, Claire Moodie who croons a tune inspired by her Mum, Linda. Claire informs us of its sentiment, “It’s a country-folk song about looking after the people who’ve looked after you. It’s pretty close to my heart. I really hope you like it.” Bill Lawrie, not the legendary cricketer Barnacle Bill, but the other half of Sea Swallow, canorously blows the ten holer. Head to Bandcamp to stream and download.

I had to display the brilliant album cover (artwork by Bill – what a talent) from which the single is taken. A couple of friends of HRR will appreciate the subject matter. Yeah! You know who you are.

The other single up for review is Comrade by Perth singer songwriter Whiskey Jack (aka Jack Dacheff). This haunting, hypnotic tune takes you on a mysterious journey – the moon has a dark side. Jack has a unique vocal, sometimes Jim Morrison like and his evocative harmonica completes this dark soundscape. This does remind me of Book of Fears The Water Let’s You In – the theme song from the Netflix 2015 hit Bloodline. Comrades, Comrade is out now on all the major streaming platforms.

Coming Up (Like a Flower)

The legend is headin’ to the antipodes later this year and tickets are on sale now – click on the tour poster below.

In 2014, Charlie received a Grammy with Ben Harper for the album GET UP. A few years back HRR contacted Charlie on his association with Ben and particularly the tune Movin’ On from their second collaboration NO MERCY IN THIS LAND. I have this on a black shellac pancake and it’s regularly spun on the turntable.

“Hi Shep. Ben would give me these long solos which were way longer than when I give my self solos with my own band. So, it forced me to be creative for a longer stretch and this was good for me because it gave me time to explore ideas and this was beneficial to my own playing. Also, all Ben’s songs are unique so I had to learn how to fit what I do with his music. I couldn’t just jam along like any old Chicago blues shuffle and this called on me to be more inventive too. So, playing with Ben had a ton of pluses, but just one of them was improving my improvisation abilities. Movin’ On was a big favorite in concert. It was a wonderful time being on the road with Ben and The Relentless Seven.”

He won’t be with Ben, but he’s back with Norwegian blues guitarist Kid Andersen, who will blow your mind. The Kid was with Charlie’s band back in 2004 before joining Rick Estrin in 2008 as a valued member of the Night Cats.

(Doin’ the) Reef Dart Shuffle

It has been a long time coming – so too the anagrams! There’s been a bit of trouble in the hen house with an escapee or two. A few feathers were ruffled, but hopefully we’ll be able to round them up and have them finally lay an egg.

It’s moments like these!

Advertised recently on a popular online auction site with a slight misprint. Well that’s going to sway you to purchase!

And what about this for a small mouth organ – in a ring casing! On sale in the US.

Next Month’s Feature

A new feature is on the production line. A dissertation on upside down harmonica playing. Look for it early next month.

First of the calendar month is finishing up in June and we conclude with a pictorial of Mouth Organ Bands (mostly Victorian).

Bookkeeping

A newspaper photograph of Harold Collier has been added to A Crackajack Story and a 1925 Boomerang advertisement to Wonthaggi Warblers. Also more changes to the Home Page.

Please check home page for copyright details.