I’m often asked what I consider to be my prize possession. Although I have a very rare 1898 Hohner Up To Date Chromatic, a Koch Kangaroo and various Boomerangs and Crackajacks, I have to say this one hundred and ten year old Cobber Tin with all its patina fits the bill. Why? Well there’s something … Continue reading Calling all Cobbers
Two floors above the butcher, first door on the right Life filled to the brim as I stood by my window And looked out on those, Brooklyn Roads Thought of going back. Neil did! Neil at his childhood abode’s entrance. Then looking out on Brooklyn Roads many years later. I can still recall the smells … Continue reading Church Avenue
#636 Now for something completely different that relates to a harmonica I was gifted some time ago. The last Gowings store closed in 2006 and this commemorative harmonica stock somehow became available for other music stores. My curiosity was piqued on how many it was limited to (obviously not 500 as my specimen is #636) … Continue reading Going Gowings Gone
Oh! Boy is the second single from Renee Geyer’s 1973 debut self titled album. Oh! Boy had a sex change having originally been written and recorded as Oh Girl. Renee’s first single released in June (Renee happened to be only nineteen) was Space Captain b/w If Only. The follow up single Oh! Boy b/w There's No … Continue reading Oh! Boy – Oh! Girl
Jack Harrison (1931 - 2013) My son found this beauty in an op shop for me. Western Australian Jack Harrison was a music prodigy from the age of five when he first blew melodies from the ten hole diatonic mouth organ. One year later Jackie, as he was known, presented his talent to radio 6PR’s … Continue reading ‘Huckleberry’ Harp Hound
Charles Porter blowing his Crackajack upside down (Photograph- Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales and Courtesy ACP Magazines Ltd). The origins of this dissertation came about due to the discovery of this newspaper report from 1933 (see below) that expounded Charles Porter’s upside down technique in drinking beer and playing the harmonica. It … Continue reading Over Under Sideways Down Hey!
Korumburra (Victoria) Ballarat Harmonica Band (Victoria) Bundaberg Boomerang Mouth Organ Band (Queensland) Cobdogla Harmonica Band (South Australia) Melbourne Crackajack Ladies Band ( Victoria. Now using Jazz Master mouth organs) Melbourne Boy’s Club (Victoria) Meccano Boys Mouth Organ Band (Western Australia) Chromonica Club Band (Western Australia) Western Harmonica Band - Hamilton (Victoria) Goroke (Wimmera Victoria) Geelong … Continue reading Bandstand
Shep’s 1938 (?) Hohner Piccolo Following on from last month’s look at the Hohner trademark variations, I had mentioned I might take a look at my Hohner Piccolo harmonica (High G) with the star in the trademark. I have. Piccolo translates to small and this diatonic measures in at a fraction longer than three inches. … Continue reading Pocketless Piccolo
Melbourne Ladies Crackajack Mouth Organ Band With permission from Ray Grieves ‘Band in a Waistcoat Pocket’ Melbourne Ladies Crackajack Band at Mr. Harris’ funeral. Thomas Harris died suddenly while playing cricket. He had just been elected President of the Mouth Organ Bands Association that week. Thomas was a cousin of Harold Collier MLCB conductor (from … Continue reading All Crackajackies
Giddy Up I revisited my 1950’s Hohner Lone Star Rider and noticed two anomalies. Firstly, the six sided star is present (usually an indicator of pre WWII) and secondly, the label in the box suggests it was made in the 1930’s (4,500 men & 25,000,000 harmonicas per annum). One thing I’ve learnt on my harmonica … Continue reading Cowboy Reins
Harmonica Riff Raff 