SKURRAY FLURRY Bruce Walter Skurray (1922 - 2008) Bruce Walter Skurray was born in Jamestown, South Australia on the 26 July, 1922. He was the son of Joseph Clement Skurray the local Bootmaker and renowned vocalist. When six years old Santa placed a Boomerang mouth organ in Bruce’s stocking. At nine years of age he … Continue reading Skurray Flurry, Pop Harp & Hot Air.
Rushing in, in the early morning and you're wondering.Got a minute for another cup of coffee before you run.And the silver bird is gone,And you wonder where you belong.(First verse) Burton Cummings, I would think is the culprit blowing the ‘pocket piano’ for this distinctive riff on Silver Bird. There is no harmonica credited on … Continue reading Guess Who?
Bess Shep’s vessel and Harley’s harp Just a month or so ago I penned a blawg relating to the Bess O’ Th’ Barn mouth organ tin I had unearthed from the Lakes district in Gippsland. In the article I related the intrigue into why ‘Besses’ was shortened to ‘Bess’ on the branding of the mouth … Continue reading Little Besses, Dick & Percy (also Les & Harry)
What an honour and privilege to blow a bit of harp on Lachlan and Astrid’s recessional song performed by Jon Collins at their wedding reception last month. Initially Lachlan (my son) had enquired if I’d like to play some Aussie classics with Jon, which I was really chuffed to be offered. However, I was more … Continue reading All Your’n (Media Naranja)
James Donnelly 1865 - 1937 Left: NSW Mouth Organ Champion - Mr. F. Donnelly (Sydney Sun, December 28, 1913) Middle: Thomas & Co Newtown Right: James Donnelly as The Grocer in ‘Horseshoes’ (1923) - Starred Oliver Hardy On the 18th December 1913 at the West’s Glaciarium (a skating rink and picture theatre), the Cobber New … Continue reading Cobber Champ
CAPTAIN MATCHBOX WHOOPEE BAND Jim Conway, along with his brother Mic, formed the entertaining, eclectic Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band just before the onset of the seventies. They had enormous success with their second album, ‘Wangaratta Wahine’, which went double gold and peaked at number four on the Australian charts. This was primarily on the back … Continue reading Jim’s Moonshine Breakdown
Bringing It Back - Dear Enemy Dear Enemy (Chris Langford second from right) Thirty days has SeptemberIn the jailhouse, I rememberI got caught with too much soulBringing it back from MexicoBringing it back from Mexico A wee taste of J. J. Cale Down Under. We begin with a couple of Aussie band covers from the … Continue reading Tulsa Groove Down Under
North wind rolling down my friends are leaving townI know they're waiting just for meOne more summer gone and one more winter songAnd one more time I tried to leave Wintersong (Quill/Tolhurst/Dubois) Country Radio’s follow up single to Gypsy Queen was the brilliant avant-garde Wintersong. Another co-write by Greg Quill and Kerryn Tolhurst, following on … Continue reading Song for Winter (Spring, Summer & Autumn too!)
On a ship that's made of paperOh yeah, I will sail the seven seasFight a shark with a toothpickCrawled home to you on my kneesThere isn't nothing baby I wouldn't do Double bonus here with fabulous blues harp from Steve Williams and great vocals from John Power on this ‘B’ side cracking cover of a … Continue reading Power Play
Musical Mr. Subbubs News (Adelaide) Fri 13 Mar 1925 When I first observed this 100 year old cartoon I thought it was an early version of Homer Simpson. A man of the burbs (of course) was Mr. Subbubs, who loved his music and sports. I do see some of myself in him - even his … Continue reading Mr. Subbubs off to South Street.
Harmonica Riff Raff 