Prominent world harmonica collector Harland Crain sent HRR this photograph of a Crackajack Miniature Concert (with bakelite frame). In the Melbourne Weekly Times (Saturday 10th November 1934) advertised alongside the Crackajack Miniature Concert was Ludwigs "Improved Bakelite" mouth organ (maybe the Antoria Concert). It had me reminiscing on the bakelite devices in our family home … Continue reading Bakelite Brevities
Our harmonica scout in Okriftel Germany, Mark Hand has done it again - he's gone and discovered another Aussie harp held at the Museum in Trossingen Germany. With the aide of the museum's curator Martin Haffner we have a few more photos - one that displays the maker's mark, another of the top of the … Continue reading Mulga Bill’s Mouth Organ
Ah, but thousands of people march to my songs. Some just ignore me and shuffle along. Some others tip me, hah, and sometimes they sing right along...One for the money, two for the show, three for the busker who plays by the road. (Always The Busker - Jon English) There's not too many musos that … Continue reading Busker’s Lament
Riff Raffer Mark Hand has been assisting the author with photos of Aussie harps both from within his own wild and wonderful collection and from the Harmonica museum in Trossingen, Germany. He planned another visit to the museum and asked which harmonicas I was seeking. One of many mentioned was the Topnotcher, which Mark had … Continue reading Two Jacks
Thirty years to the day the stars aligned for Steve Williams to play harmonica on a John Farnham tune that would change his life forever. A remarkable set of circumstances, links in a chain reaction, would take him from Melbourne's Pub music scene into the heady heights of the concert arena. To celebrate the anniversary … Continue reading One Link In A Chain
Finally I've been able to peek inside the Crackajack tutor booklet. A few gems were discovered from within its pages. The diamond was the Professor's tips on playing the instrument that fits in a waistcoat pocket. Was the Professor the one they termed the Paderewski of the mouth organ? What is a Paderewski? More on … Continue reading Professor & Paderewski
One of the favourite items in my Fitzroy football memorabilia is the 1974 Laurie Richards caricature sticker collected from a Kellogg's Corn Flakes cereal box. These stickers sell today for $100 plus if they are still in their cellophane packet. Being in the right place at the right time is extremely important in the recording … Continue reading Decalcomania
An interestingly named mouth organ that sold Down Under in the 1920's (I think) is the Budgeree - pictured here in Seydel's 1923 catalogue. Budgeree is an East Gippsland town (for want of a better description) which is a relatively short journey from our abode. Blink and you'll miss it as there's only a few … Continue reading It’s All Good (ya know)
The elusive Hohner Auto Valve Vamper! One in the flesh - picture courtesy of Riff Raffer Mark Hand, all the way from Okriftel. If your interested in detail about this oxymoron there's information here - Hohner’s Hollandia (Nova) Harp. Ray Grieve has published his revised edition of Boomerangs & Crackajacks with newly researched material on … Continue reading Via et Veritas
In following up on our May article on mini moothies (four and five holes) that weighed in at one and three eight inches, here is a quick peek at the small ten holers. The standard diatonic is commonly four inches in length, while the Junior models that many brands supplied were usually a wee bit … Continue reading Three Inches Big
Harmonica Riff Raff 