Everyones. Vo.5 No.347 (20 October 1926) Nasjah (The Owl), the ten year old Navajo boy selected by the producer became a popular star of the movie ‘The Vanishing Race’. He spoke no English except for a bit of strine, “fair dinkum”. You also knew when Nasjah was peckish. When Nasjah rubbed his stomach hotel staff … Continue reading Navajo Hero – Short Snort (Organ) #12
Rhythm and Blues - Hohner My R&B with 1963 Patent (part & slightly doctored) Tommy Reilly co - creator Although not strictly in my collection parameters, I’ve been keen for sometime to source a Hohner Rhythm & Blues Chord harmonica. Not quite sure why, but I reckon it’s cool! The time had arrived. I sought … Continue reading Train Rhythm Blues
Steve Williams (John Farnham Band) was a regular guest on Harmonica Riff Raff, the 3MDR radio show, helping listeners find their way around the instrument with lessons and helpful hints. It was mostly elementary, but at times we headed into territory that was quite sophisticated. One such occasion was introducing the bends on holes three … Continue reading Diving Into The Bends
Save The Boys He accosted a lad in the street, and asked where he worked. The boy replied, "Shut up, and mind your own business," and he did so, for he felt it his business to find out something more about the lad. He therefore asked the boy if he would like to come to … Continue reading Trying Boys – Short Snort (Organ) #11
A late flying Boomerang from my collection Recently, while unpacking my collection for display at our new location, I had a closer gander at the Boomerang harmonica with a plastic comb (pictured above), masquerading as a Hohner Special 20. The price would suggest, perhaps nineties. Then, blow me down with a harmonica, I discovered it … Continue reading Boomerang Boogaloo
1925 - Wonthaggi Boomerang Mouth Organ Championship Ballarat & Wonthaggi Mouth Organ Competition advertising Left: Weekly Times Saturday 29 August, 1925. Right: The Sun News-Pictorial Saturday 29 August, 1925. The roaring twenties were in full swing at the seaside town of Wonthaggi and in 1925 the local ANA (Australian Natives Association) Musical & Elocutionary competition … Continue reading Wonthaggi Warblers
The Band Contest Committee established precedent, as far as Maryborough is concerned, when it held a mouth-organ contest in the Town Hall last night. There was a fair crowd present, but as the Mayor (Alderman. C. H. Adam) pointed out when addressing the audience, the attendance was disappointing from a national point of view. As … Continue reading Middle of the Organ – Short Snort (Organ) #10
Another Aussie harp in the collection. Yes that’s right, an Aussie harp. After a fair bit of research I can conclusively establish its authenticity. Who would have thought? Never associated them with here, however there are twelve species of Australian Cuckoos. None of which have the cuck - oo call. The largest of our Cuckoo’s … Continue reading Brood Parasitism
Circa 1926? “I am delighted to give my experience as a Mouth Organ player for the last thirty-seven years, making my debut at six years of age. I have played on almost every make of Mouth Organ that has been manufactured, and now I would not play on any Mouth Organ other than a Crackajack. … Continue reading Crack A Duck
Horrie Dargie is one of Australia’s most famous Harmonica exponents. He had a quintet in the forties and fifties that hold the honour of achieving Australia’s first gold record. The Horrie Dargie Concert (1952) was a wire recording taken from their Sydney Farewell Concert held before they left on a tour of the UK. Sadly … Continue reading Horrie’s Harmonicoptysis – Short Snort (Organ) #9
Harmonica Riff Raff 