It’s funny how you can stumble on an item that piques your interest while searching for something totally different. Canadian collector Doug Dawson had recently acquired a harmonica called Sounds Of Peace and he was trying to identify the maker. I felt it may have been sold here in Australia so into the search engine … Continue reading A Perfect Organ
Top left and right: Cockatoo Railway Station & The Tourist Track. Bottom left and right: Cockatoo Creek and Bell’s Mill. Middle insert: Fern Gully. (1921) “From down along the creek came the sound of mouth organs and mandolins.” COCKATOO. (The Age, Melbourne 31 January, 1925) 'Is all the luggage strapped in?' 'Where in the world … Continue reading Sounds of Cockatoo – Mouth Organ & Mandolin
The “classic” line-up of Chain was only together for eleven months, but in this time they enjoyed a National Top Ten hit (number one on Melbourne’s radio charts) in 1971 with its debut single on the Infinity label, ‘Black And Blue’. At the end of the band’s first rehearsal, guitar guru Phil Manning was playing … Continue reading 45 Revolutions #4 – Black And Blue
Marshall's Portable Music Machine. Positively, definitely the best you've ever seen. Painted violet, ebony and green. Marshall's Portable Music Machine Written by Don Mudie and Brian Cadd for Robin Jolly. The fun tune reached the Top Five of the Oz Charts in 1972. In my rummaging through harmonica advertising I stumbled across this amazing portable … Continue reading Marshall’s Portable Music Machine
“Wherever you be let your wind be free” (Paddy Sheppard) One of Grandfather’s favourite sayings. He was a seaman, but I think he was referencing a gastro intestinal condition. The Hohner Auto Valve Harp was not in the business of letting it go, but rather in saving it by the use of leather valves. I … Continue reading Saving Wind
I have been well ministered by Steve Williams on the need to stay away from the vocal when playing harmonica, both in the band and in the recording studio. In recent times I have become increasingly discerning of harp players trying to play too many notes and play phrases that don’t appear to have any … Continue reading The Space Is The Place!
This months 45 Revs is Spectrum’s iconic single ‘I’ll Be Gone’ (b/w “Launching Place Part II”). It wasn’t atypical of Spectrum’s progressive sound having more of a folky, country flavour. However, the tune did sit well with the punters who loved the catchy hook of the harp riff - so much so that it rose … Continue reading 45 Revolutions #3 – I’ll Be Gone
A recent acquisition to my harmonica ephemera is Aussie (and American) Gene Jimae’s program handout displaying some great illustrations and information. I had to look up ‘moppetry’ a term not frequently used in today’s vernacular. Its reference is to childhood. I have no idea of the meaning of ‘sock results’ mentioned later in the pamphlet. … Continue reading Moppetry Hogwash
My recently acquired Crackajack Artist had me delving into the world of harps with fluted covers. The Crackajack Artist (1926) manufactured by F A Rauner is shaped like their fluted World Master mouth organ. ‘Down Under’ we also had the Rozella (1913) by F A Bohm and the Perla (1926) both with fluted cover plates. … Continue reading Fluted Harps
W J Deane in 1896 were selling both the Woolloomooloo Warbler and the Kangaroo Chalmer. In ‘97 they advertised the newly invented Native Waratah and Boomerang mouth organs and in ‘98 Deane And Son had their own model The Bugler for a Bob. I had initially thought The Bugler mouth organ may have been produced … Continue reading Deane’s Sticka
