The Harmonica Hop

In 1907 Koch of Germany manufactured the Aussie branded The Kangaroo, however somewhere in time this model hopped over to Switzerland to be manufactured – perhaps during or just after the Great War when Germany was a bit on the nose.

This wasn’t the first Kangaroo down under. The Kangaroo Chalmer (1s 5d) was sold by J Albert & Son as the first Aussie brand mouth organ (double holed forty reed) along side the (ten hole twenty reed) The Woolloomooloo Warbler (1s) in 1896. The Boomerang and The Native Waratah would follow shortly after in 1897.

Haven’t sighted a Kangaroo Chalmer not even a sketch or a trademark (probably not trademarked – The Woolloomooloo trademark wasn’t done until 1910 and that was without the Warbler component).

Albert’s manufactured briefly (I think) a very different styled (probably a cheapish model – less than the Boomerang flagship mouth organs) The Kangaroo probably in the 1920’s (or perhaps even the thirties) after Koch’s TM had not been renewed. In fact, I couldn’t locate one advert for this model! Having said that, I haven’t come across an advert for Koch’s The Kangaroo of German or Swiss origin either.

There’s no doubt Seydel’s The Kangaroo existed as Ray enlightened HRR, “I recall seeing a group of mouth organs sold by Alberts, it was with one of at least three people who had been at the Alberts clearance auction – they included the Budgeree, Coo-ee and Kangaroo. etc. They all came in coloured boxes – green, red, purple and blue – with no identification on the boxes at all. (just a sticker for the key). They also had nothing at all on the cover plates except for the name. Otherwise completely blank.”

For more on Koch’s Swiss Kangaroo, hop here, Roo.

Switcharoo

Do the Kangaroo Hop.

Do the hop, do the kangaroo hop, the Australian hop, the kangaroo hop – when you’re an Australian the only thing they think you can do is the kangaroo hop!

Wonnyroo

ADVERTISING – Musical Pals or Rip off’s

I stumbled across advertising for two of Australia’s prominent mouth organs of the 1920’s – the Crackajack and The Topnotcher. These were very similar to American Hohner adds of the same period. Guru Pat Missin informed me that, “Hohner US ran with the slogan ‘That Musical Pal of Mine’ in the 1920s, often accompanied by a picture that looked vaguely similar to the one to the Crackajack ad. Probably not quite close enough for legal action, but I don’t think the similarity is a coincidence.”

I replied that I reckon I had viewed the Crackajack graphic before. Pat responded, “To be fair, young males were the biggest chunk of the market back then and there are only so many ways you can depict a boy and his harmonica. It’s a bit harder to defend the ‘musical pal’ bit, though.”

Having viewed another US Hohner advert, ‘For that Jolly Beach Party’, I knew I had a similar ad in my possession for Paling’s Topnotcher. Pat was gobsmacked by these two. “Wow! That’s just blatant – and again with the ‘musical pal’. I guess they thought nobody from Hohner US would see it.”

For more on Palings and their harmonica brands hop here 🦘.

Paling’s Depot in Cairns – ca 1912

I never thought I’d make it back this time
I found myself along the borderline
In the wilderness, among the lost souls
There on a lonely, lonely road
You light this, you light this
You light this world up 
Dean Owens

Up Over – one with & one without.

If you’re a fan, like myself, of harmonica driven boogie, wrap your lug holes around Four On The Floor. A collaboration by blues singer guitarist and songwriter Ian Siegal (UK) and harmonica player Johnny Mastro (US). These two first met many moons back when they signed to the same record label. This cracker tune was recorded in a live session in New Orleans for their forthcoming album ‘Easy Tiger’.

Scottish musician Dean Owens has dropped his second EP ‘Ridgeline’ from his trilogy of ‘The Ridge’ EP’s. The opening track Light This World has big hit written all over it. Beautifully produced by Don Antonio, ‘Ridgeline’ was recorded in Crinale Studio a four hundred year old farmhouse in the Emilia Romagna area of north Italy. A catchy chorus with sonorous horns this uplifting tune will have you returning for more. Speaking of more have a squiz at My Beloved Hills from the first EP.

Down Under – with Charlie

Julian James has a unique take on the old Muddy Waters’ classic Catfish Blues. Simply titled Catfish, Julian has given this delta classic an uptempo hill country touch and it works. What a treat to have Charlie Musselwhite, a former Muddy harpist, add his distinctive style into the mix and the Hussy Hicks too with their tasty backing vocals.

Julian is living the dream as a full time touring musician. At present he’s in the Sunshine State, but he will return to his home town in December with a single launch at George Lane – 1 George Lane, St Kilda 15/12, 2:30 – 6:30.

Fully recovered from my winter jaunts, we perigrinated for another Sunday arvo/evening at our favourite music haunt The Westernport Hotel in San Remo. The short trip in itself is worthy of an evening out. Firstly the scenic powerful oceanic views of Kilcunda to our left (to the right the rolling green hills) then turning left to Phillip Island we have the contrasting sedate sea views of Westernport Bay to the right and now to the left more rolling green countryside.

One of my revered harp players Dan Dinnen was performing with drummer/percussionist Shorty. Well at least originally that’s how the gig had been promoted, but apparently it was always going to be Dan solo. Dan sat on a groove (it wasn’t painful) all evening with his Mississippi hill country blues interpretations. We were suitably impressed with an unrecorded original that is presently entitled Louisiana Harmonica.

The night turned into a revival meeting with another original composition that told a tale of Jonah in the belly of the whale. A rinky dink gospel blues (Old Testament) that had us raising our hands in the air and shouting, “Hallelujah, praise the Lord.” Three fabulous sets over three hours that included fittingly a cover of Charlie Musselwhite’s Strange Land (1967) as the harmonica legend was appearing north of the Yarra on the same day. After considerable cajoling, and a simulated stage exit to the green room, the evening was realised with Dan’s harmonica train solo, Lonesome Train and didn’t that go over well with the congregation!👏🏻

There were tunes from his & Shorty’s latest CD (purchased on the night) like These Old Walls and I have to proclaim this is his best album yet – smooth as single grain whiskey. If you head to Bandcamp you can obtain yours. Do yourself a service and witness Dan (& perhaps Shorty) live. Next Dan Dinnen & Shorty gig will be in stripped back acoustic mode at the famous Lomond Acoustica tomorrow Wednesday 16th October @ 8pm sharp. Tix $10- on the door – The Lomond Hotel, 225 Nicholson St, Brunswick East VIC.

Fowl Mouthed Cluck Plucking

I had my feathers ruffled when my single launched on AMRAP (Australian Music Radio Airplay Project) with an ‘E’ sticker. I know stickers on CD’s sell more (stickers!), but I thought it a bit strange for an instrumental to have explicit language. Then I mused, it may have been those fowl mouthed chooks clucking – perhaps a mondegreen for an explicit lyric! When informed the Amrap team duly removed the sticker – hopefully that won’t be deleterious to any airplay.

More ruffled feathers with ABC Country’s Grass Roots. Although grateful for being added to their playlist, the removal of the intro and outro (important ingredients to the vibe of the toon) was not appreciated – perhaps they just loved my harp! In my time as a broadcaster I would never have butchered someone’s creative piece – just saying.

Cheers and Frothies for the write up in the Australian Musician Magazine and to Tamworth’s Capital Country Radio adding Ruffled Feathers to their New Playlist and Currabubula Jim’s Chillout. If you like, you can request Ruffled Feathers and Locomotive Weave too!

Huff’n’Puff Radiothon Edition

Roving radio presenter Peej from 3MDR, headed down the mountain for an hour’s plus drive to Shep’s Shanty at the picture esky Bass Coast to record a Huff’n’Puff episode – Radiothon Edition. Plenty of banter and nonsensical ramblings were had.

“Got some lovely feedback from the listeners during this week’s Huff’n’Puff”, informed Peej. “Lozza from Anglesea and Stu from Clayton sent messages to the SMS line….

Laurie wrote: I’m never disappointed Peej.  I don’t set the bar high and you always beat it.  Love Shep and his new tune. If only it was ready for the whistling episode.

Stu wrote: Absolutely lovely to wake up and turn on the radio and be treated to Ol Shep and Peej waffling on.  Like having old mates in your living room.”

Peej later heard from listener Rampaging Rosco, that Ruffled Feathers was an earworm all day for him (he couldn’t get it out of his head) after hearing it on the radio that morning.

Rundown sheet below and hear here 👂🏻.

Boomatic Chromerang

In last month’s review Dawg Blawg, we postulated when and why these Boomerang Chromatics that had been recently up for auction were manufactured. Not long after, Pat Missin was on a mission searching for an unrelated item when he came across an advertising flyer from the 1990’s espousing the return of the Boomerang harmonica. With it was the picture above and it contained some revealing information below.

After forty years the famous “Boomerang” harmonica is back in Australia and better than ever………..In 1991 with the re-unification of Europe Seydel was returned to the family and the company is keen to regain the prestige and market dominance it once enjoyed.

One of the priorities of the company has been the reintroduction of the “Boomerang” name and the manufacture of four new models including 3 Chromatics and 1 Blues vamper, using the original stamps for the cover plates.

Models Available Include: Seydel Boomerang Blues Harp in the Keys C, A, E, Bb, Db, F#, G, D, F, B, Eb, Ab. Rec, Retail $34,00, Seydel Boomerang Chromatic in C (10 Hole) Rec. Retail $66.00, C, G (12 Hole) Rec. Retail $78.00, C Deluxe (12 Hole) Rec, Retail $139.00

I have uploaded the brochure over on Boomatic Chromerang. Cheers Pat.

Bandcamp

Keep your ginger beers open over on my Bandcamp page for another single, a live track off the Blue Bird launch – drops first of November.

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