Pinch & punch Raffers. As promised a couple of advertisements from J Hess & Co. The Federal Harp was sold in Australia late in the 19th century from about 1898. It had been trademarked the previous year. The manufacturer Ernst Hess of Klingenthal Saxony had a display at the ‘World Fair’ held in Melbourne, Australia … Continue reading NAWFOS #2-Hess’ Harp
Hi Riffers, "The line of 'Make America great again,' the phrase, that was mine, I came up with it about a year ago, and I kept using it, and everybody's using it, they are all loving it. I don't know, I guess I should copyright it, maybe I have copyrighted it." "Sorry losers and haters, … Continue reading Trump the Mouth Organ
Gidday Riff Raffers, Ooh, my little pretty one, my pretty one. My my my aye-aye whoa! Quite awhile back I discovered advertising for this unusually named harmonica, the Harola. I endeavoured to locate its origins and to see if it was actually unique to the Australian market. My initial attempts failed dismally and it would … Continue reading M-M-M-My Harola
Caravan Music Club, East Bentleigh, Sunday 5th January, 2020 "Aaron was a friend of mine. He lived out in the country far away from the city lights. Out among the gentle pines." (Kerryn Tolhurst) The band opened in fine fashion with Kerryn's melodic Aaron from The Dingoes self titled debut album of 1973. Terry Dean … Continue reading DINGORADIO-Songs of Kerryn Tolhurst
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
Harmonica Riff Raff 