Over a year ago I published an article about a young Australian lad (or American if you prefer), who was a big hit down under when he and his parents toured as part of the Tivoli circuit in 1953. Gene Jimae, although born in Detroit in 1943, was of Aussie heritage-his mother Joan was born … Continue reading Gene Genius Returns
G'Day Raffers, First rate mouth organs for sixpenny were sold in Australia as early as 1904 by Allan & Co under the Australian slang terms for first-rate, Boshter and Bonzer. (With permission City of Sydney Archives) In 1908 Chapman's of 634 George Street Sydney sold the Bosker in two models the Vamper for 1/6 and … Continue reading Bosker! Bonzer! Boshter!
A quick question Riff Raffers. What do we have two of, we can do without one, the right is larger than the left, they have lobes and they act like bellows? If you said lungs your right on the money. This remarkable sponge-like organ situated in the thoracic (chest) cavity functions closely with the myocardium … Continue reading Dr. Bellows
New music Riff Raffers. Benoit has his debut album Blue Bird pressed and ready for release. This local singer songwriter from The Basin is establishing himself as a new force in the folk scene here in the Dandenongs and beyond. His lyrical imagery encapsulates the brokenness of humankind, but also the beauty of creation. The … Continue reading Musical Fractals
G'Day Riff Raffers, It's an Australian hop, the Kangaroo hop, but it's also the German hop. Earlier this year I found The Kangaroo mouth organ in of all places Riga, Latvia. I had believed in the beginning that this was manufactured by Seydel for Albert's here down under. In Ray Grieve's magnificent resource book Boomerangs … Continue reading Kangaroo Hop (The Swiss Connection)
G'day Riffers, On a chilly Sunday evening in the winter of 2014 my wife and I had the privilege of attending the Burrinja Cafe here in the Dandenongs (it wasn't raining-only dripping off trees). A local duo transported us back in time to a smoking blues joint in New Mexico called the Golden Inn where … Continue reading Buffalo Blues Burger
The year was 1970 when Rebel, a little known Melbourne record label released two highly significant singles in Australian music history, both featuring the mouth harp of a young Matt Taylor. Rebel was owned by Peter Goodman (a former member of the band The Town Criers) and they would press eleven singles and one long … Continue reading Rebel’s Yell
Hi Riff Raffers, A new, very old harp housed in its original box now resides in my humble collection. Mark Weber has meticulously investigated and reviewed technical aspects of the harp at chromhistory. What follows is an account of my pursuance from world experts on how, when and where this Hohner harp, 'The Up To … Continue reading Chromatically Chromonica Chronologically
Floating on a cloud with a cosmic shroud. Play your music loud Chetarca. "He was one of the pioneers." (Matt Taylor) "Paul was the best harmonica player I had heard and a lovely man with a beautiful soulful voice and a great sense of humour." (Andy Vance) "Paul Lever was a great blues harp player." … Continue reading Paul Langford Lever
Hi Raffers, A quick look at an Australian harmonica box owned by Canadian harmonica collector, Doug Dawson, a couple of record reviews and a link to an article written by Mark Weber about a new addition to my harp collection, which is rewriting Chromatic history, Hohner's very first Chromatic, the Up-To-Date model from 1898! Just … Continue reading Hotel Metropole
Harmonica Riff Raff 