Albert's Boomerangs were big in 'Terra Australis' right from the gecko. Made exclusively by Seydel for Frank Albert. You might not be aware that Seydel's Bandmaster, similar in design to some of the Boomerangs, was sold at least as early as 1912 at Flights of Bendigo and even the trademark was lodged for registration 'Down … Continue reading Seydel’s Bob Each Way
"Trying to leave behind this insincerity leave it to die in the burning ruins." (Providence) For some time I have had a desire to write about Matt Taylor's venture with country rock band Western Flyer in the late seventies. Within my vinyl collection is their fine debut album First Flight. In my research I stumbled … Continue reading Western Providence
Visitors to the fine city of Perth will be aware of a striking hand standing statue in Hay Street of a gentleman by the name of Percy Button - often misspelled by pluralising his surname. A prominent street entertainer in his day, he performed dynamic acrobatics and blew the odd tune on a mouth organ … Continue reading Busker Buttons
“Howdy Riff Raffers.” As a young kid growing up in the sixties Monday nights at 7pm was set aside to be seated in front of our four legged twenty one inch black and white Astor television. The program we were settling in for had an American compere, Bob Dyer and his capable assistant, Australian wife … Continue reading Dyer ’ere.
Besses o' th' Barn Band's visits to Australia, by the sound of it, had many similarities with the wild scenes experienced when the Beatles landed Down Under in the sixties. It wasn't just in the popularity stakes either, but also in the proliferation of punters taking up playing a brass instrument (or mouth organ - … Continue reading Besses & Beatles
(1898). [Tom Fatts versus Hock Keys, at the Golden Gate Club, Sydney, November 29th, 1898 - http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-148541703%5D Late nineteenth century/early twentieth mouth organ bouts were held between pugilistic fights. Australia’s first mouth organ champion was Walter Omond in 1899, blowing on an Albert’s Boomerang at the Golden Gate Club in Sydney. He only had to … Continue reading Harpin Ringside
Introduction I had intentions of creating an e-book (even designed a cover - pictured) as a quick reference for Australian named (and/or prominent in the market place) mouth organs: Crackajacks, Cobbers, Boomerangs and the like. I’ve had second thoughts - so what I have produced here is what would have been included without any accompanying … Continue reading Aussie ’Arps – Pocket Guide
An early Christmas present. You wouldn’t believe how much I paid for it. Less than a ‘Pineapple’! I had no inclination of purchasing a Large Professional Boomerang. I was researching online for information on a Crackajack model when this struck me firmly between the eyes - for sale and not at an auction site. The … Continue reading Perfection King
There’d be a few Bridge Hotels on the planet I would think, but the one I’m highlighting here is the Pub advertised in Mordialloc, which was actually located in Aspendale being south of the creek (the geographical boundary). Come to think of it Mordialloc High School was too! This was my first venue of worship … Continue reading At the Bridge Hotel
Jet Black is the dress she wore and Jet Black were her eyes. Jet Black with thoughts in her head. Black velvet were the words of love to me. Jon Hayton recorded ten tracks at Armstrong Studios in 1975 under the pseudonym of Farmer John. The session was produced by keyboard player Tweed Harris and, … Continue reading 45 Revolutions #12 – Jet Black
Harmonica Riff Raff 