45 Revolutions this month is one of my all time favourites. Released in April 1972 on the Harvest label was “Esmeralda" b/w “We Are Indelible" and performed by the (Indelible) Murtceps - Spectrum spelled backwards. This was Mike Rudd’s cost effective Pub (and radio) friendly outfit. In the lyrics of the excellent ‘B’ side Mike … Continue reading 45 Revolutions #8 – Esmeralda
Another vintage (antique?) harmonica to the Shep fish tank (empty of fish & water) situated in the Front Bar. One I hadn’t seen before, with box, in good nick and double (mouse ear) tabs. Way beyond my price range, but with a little bit of negotiation (and perhaps good fortune) I obtained this beauty at … Continue reading Masters of Jazz
(Adelaide News, 30th July 1936) From the outset this is not a drug related account about a cocaine (crack) runner. This article (for track devotees) had been written some time ago to coincide with the Tokyo Olympics and now with the opening ceremony days away, it can finally see the light of day. Running and … Continue reading Harmonica Wind
We celebrate the first of this month with Digby Richards’ Ashton County Park - the flip side of his non charting 1972 single Dirty River. This was the fourth single taken from the album Harlequin. Previous singles A Little Bit Of Peace and People Call Me Country both charted. Greg Foster provides the flavoursome harp. … Continue reading 45 Revolutions #7 – Ashton County Park
A recent addition to the Shep collection, the Hohner Echophone attachment. This is the Bakelite version that was sold in Aussie Music Emporiums after WWII. An article is in production as I type. Love this album from expat, banana bender Michael Brinkworth, who is currently based in Berlin. Michael’s tunes have a defining ambience sourced … Continue reading Echophone…..phone…hone
Dr. Hook Wild Colonial Boys My 45rpm single and the lads (caricatures) on the cover of the Rolling Stone. There was a wild colonial boy, Jack Doolan was his name (or was it?)Of poor but honest parents, he was born near Castlemaine (which one?)He was his father's only son, and his mother's pride and joySo … Continue reading Wild Colonial Boys
Pinch and Punch. Happy new month. In 1971 Fraternity’s If You Got It had Uncle John Eyres blowing a tasty little riff on an 'A' harp. This was the Adelaide band’s fourth single (the third for 1971) and the first on the Raven label after previously recording with the Sweet Peach label. This single has … Continue reading 45 Revolutions #6 – If You Got It
Some time ago I came across an unusual specimen (as it’s name referred - Unicum) that was not in the greatest nick, but worthy of closer inspection. What I now realise, thanks to Pat Missin, is that I acquired a Weiss Mandola that was missing the cardboard tube in which it was embedded. I have … Continue reading Unique Boutique
I would like to preface from the outset that this is not about my psychological scars inflicted by a former music classroom teacher. To be fair he had finally engaged me in the subject after years of experiencing torture from a regimented, dry curriculum which offered no opportunity to display individual creativity. We were challenged … Continue reading The Music Teacher
Many harmonica collectors around the globe have the Australian Boomerang De Luxe front and centre in their displays. All De Luxe models were boomerang shaped. This twelve double aperture mouth organ and its single aperture partner (The Miniature) were uniquely designed in the shape of the indigenous Australian's returning boomerang. There was another boomerang designed … Continue reading My Boomerang Did Come Back
