Paramount Boomerang

“An extensive tie-up has been arranged with J. Albert and Son on a mutual exploitation idea to boost Boomerang mouth organs and Paramount pictures. These novelties can be obtained from the exchange.” (Everyones Vol.10 No.473 (13 March 1929)

These novelties don’t appear to be carved from wood, but more likely a cardboard cut out. Neil Hamilton, who is mentioned on the first boomerang (above), you may know from the TV series Batman where he portrays Commissioner Gordon. You could only ‘see’ Neil play the Boomerang Mouth Organ, as it was a silent film. Due to public apathy regarding silent movies at that time, a soundtrack was added with synchronised music and sound effects.

Sadly no copy of this movie exists today and is considered a lost film.

Albert’s had also offered a print out of a Large Boomerang Mouth Organ two years earlier.

“I don’t know who he is behind that mask of his, but I do know when we need him… and we need him now!” Commissioner Gordon

Come Back Again (I’m Just Crazy ‘bout you babe)

To continue with the theme in my travels on this topic, would you believe I espied this early seventies vintage Wham-O Boomerang merch for Australian group Daddy Cool. They were the first band to break the ice in the USA and becoming a cult attraction on the West Coast.

Daddy Cool toured America three times, twice during 1971 and again in ’72.

More on Daddy Cool and Ross Wilson in earlier blogs. If there’s anyone reading this that hasn’t heard Eagle Rock, Hi Honey Ho or Come Back Again, do yourself a service and wrap your lug holes around them.

I may have had a Wham-O Boomerang back in the day, but I definitely had one of their Super Balls (only for a very short period of time) and one of their frisbees. Interestingly, (but not very funny) the businesses’ success was on the back of developing the cane hoops that the two Californian entrepreneurs witnessed Aussie school kids using.

They would market them as Hula Hoops (Ya heard of ‘em?) manufacturing them in Marlex (crystalline polypropene and high-density polyethylene).

We flew across to the USA 
And played for the kids down in LA
Please please America hear a my plea
I want a million bucks 
God it’s not for me it’s for my country.

Please, Please America (Hear My Plea) - Hannaford/Wilson

Nick Charles – Westernport Hotel San Remo 15/12 2024

What a wonderful evening overlooking the sea vista. A pelican (no albatross) could be spotted while guitar virtuoso Nick Charles performed Peter Green’s Albatross that concluded the first set. If you closed your eyes you’d swear there were two guitarists, open them and it was only one (that was all that was required), Nick. This intimate setting provided a unique connection between artist and audience.

Downing frozen margaritas and listening to Nick’s instrumental take on Stand By Me, how could life be any better. Nick was commissioned by Lieberman & Stoller to interpret this tune for an album of their classics. Another highlight (there were many), was a cover of Dave Stewart’s Lily Was Here. I also enjoyed two of his tunes from Sonny & Brownie album and I could hear Doc Span’s harp even though he wasn’t present. Check out this review from when they launched this brilliant album Buffalo Blues Burger. There were songs off his latest album ‘Further Down The Line’ including a fabulous ditty he penned with Doc White Sleeping in a Strange Bed.

I was hoping Pick Up The Pieces (and have another shot) might have had a shot, but alas, there was no Stars (Andy Durant) songs performed. I thought there could be a chance as Nick was guitarist for a recent version of the band. Pick Up The Pieces was one of Andy’s final songs – he sadly succumbed to cancer aged twenty five.

Cheers Nick for bringing your amazing skills to our neck of the sea.

Coming Up (Like a Flower)

Archies Creek Hotel – Andy Scott Collective January 17, 2025

The Andy Scott Collective Album CD Launch! The new album is a collection of tracks from various sessions and different line ups. On the night, the band will be Matt West (Guitar and Vocals), Steve Grant (Accordion/Piano), Lachlan Wallace (Drums) and Andy Scott (Bass and Vocals). A few special guests will make an appearance too!

Wonder if Steve Williams will be a special guest? Steve informed HRR, “there’s a good instrumental, which the guitarist and trumpeter knew, but I had to learn on the day. I played harp on four tracks.” Steve even takes lead vocal on Everyday I Have To Cry (blimey O’Reilly it’s an ear worm). The instrumental is titled Jamming With Jimmy.

Andy Scott is the A in GAS an outfit with music luminaries Gary Young (Daddy Cool) and Steve Williams (John Farnham), who have a residence of all places at a Pizza shop in Warburton.

A CD has arrived at HRR’s office and it has had a spin. Two letters WOW! This is sensational – Gary’s on there too! Singing and drumming on one of his own and singing and playing piano on a Willie Nelson toon. Gotta love the upright bass and Andy is a master craftsman (but it don’t fit in your pocket!).

This CD’s a must get. Best at Gigs – GAS in Warburton have copies or contact Andy (andrewscottbass@yahoo.com.au)

Late news: Steve won’t be in attendance! 😢

Y’all Got Your Ears On

Look up. 
In the midnight hour. Look up
Love is the power. 
Keep your eyes on the skies.
Don't look down on the shadow town.
Look up.

Just one album for review from up over. Look Up by the ageless (he’s eighty four) Ringo Starr. Ringo has headed back to his country roots – he was a fan back when he was in short pants.

His first solo album Beaucoups Of Blues (1970) was his last venture there fifty four years ago. That was a crackerjack with Charlie McCoy’s signature harp littered throughout, including the single, Beaucoups Of Blues and the flip side (non album) Coochy Coochy.

Sadly Look Up has only the one tune with the people’s instrument, but it’s a rip snorter. Never Let Me Go has Mickey Raphael blow meaningful tags and an uplifting solo while Ringo hits out a rockabilly shuffle. Three other tracks I’d like to recommend are: Breathless, Look Up and Come Back. The Keith Stackpole (opener), Breathless is an uptempo shuffle featuring rising bluegrass star Billy Strings on guitar and harmonies. Look Up canters along with floating pedal steel from Paul Franklin. Come Back, is a fair dinkum country toon that I can envisage Gene Autry (back in the saddle again on Champion) playing his guitar and crooning. Ringo even whistles on the song (perhaps inspired by Ruffled Feathers) – 🥳.

Ringo’s vocal timbre, highlighted on sustained notes, resonates warmly throughout the album with each lyric clearly articulated. His drumming as always is innovative and fitting the bill. Ringo also incorporates his friends for a little help (Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends). In particular T Bone Burnett, who wrote most of the songs, played guitar (acoustic, electric and six string bass) and impeccably produced the album. Other amigos, not previously mentioned, include; Molly Tuttle, Lucious (Jess Wolfe, Holly Laessig), Alison Krauss and Joe Walsh.

I highly recommend the album – out now at all good and bad record stores.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Charlie’s Muscle

Look what I stumbled across for a buckaroonie. You can be lucky! Charlie’s cover was previously mentioned in My Boomerang Did Come Back – otherwise it’s just a stick.

Double Decker

I’ve also obtained a bargain Hohner Bass Harmonica in recent days – more next month as I fully indagate my new item.

E H Collier

Harold’s son Geoff was mystified by a post (All Crackajackies), where I had suggested Harold was a cousin of Thomas Harris. I couldn’t locate where I researched this, but with a little information I had on Thomas, Geoff came to the conclusion that Thomas must have been the elder brother of the husband of his Edith.

You can witness the to and fro in the comments section of Collingwood’s Crackajack Collier.

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