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 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
The year was 1970 when Rebel, a little known Melbourne record label released two highly significant singles in Australian music history, both featuring the mouth harp of a young Matt Taylor. Rebel was owned by Peter Goodman (a former member of the band The Town Criers) and they would press eleven singles and one long … Continue reading Rebel’s Yell
Floating on a cloud with a cosmic shroud. Play your music loud Chetarca. "He was one of the pioneers." (Matt Taylor) "Paul was the best harmonica player I had heard and a lovely man with a beautiful soulful voice and a great sense of humour." (Andy Vance) "Paul Lever was a great blues harp player." … Continue reading Paul Langford Lever
Revisiting a tune with a catchy harp riff that's having its thirtieth anniversary and is as good today as it ever was. It continues to mature like a single malt scotch whisky in an old oak barrel. When Scottish group Del Amitri released their single 'Kiss This Thing Goodbye' for the first time the tune … Continue reading Kiss This!
Here's a story about a man named Hogan who was busy with five boys of his own, six men all living together, but they were not alone (bit of a mish mash of old TV sitcoms). Just prior to the turn of the twentieth century a young lad raised in the country town of Naracoorte … Continue reading Hogan’s Heroes
Hi Riff Raffers, Within my substantial vinyl record collection there is a twelve inch extended play by 'The Goanna Band' titled, 'Living On The Razor's Edge'. Released in 1979 there was a limited print of 500 (maybe 1000?). It was produced by Broderick Smith on the Custom Press label a subsidiary of EMI. Two of … Continue reading Goanna Man Of Mystery
Hello Riff Raffers, “Well I remember when I was young the world had just begun and I was happy. I used to wonder about the earth and how it moved around the sun so snappy.” (Matt Taylor) Back when I was young you could venture down to the local milk bar and purchase sixteen aniseed balls … Continue reading Humpo Bompa (with a dadada da da over the top)
Hi Riff Raffers, Greg Foster is more than an accomplished harmonica exponent and yet for some reason he goes under the radar when we discuss the best Australian harp players. His extensive body of work with Jazz super group 'Galapagos Duck' alone is testimony enough to his proficiency as a musician, songwriter, performer and particularly … Continue reading Ah! Fosters-He’s Got The Flavour
Hello there Riff Raffers, “ My mother said I was an animal for my wild and wicked ways. My father said I was an animal cos I would not wash for days. My girlfriend said I was a dog and I guess she oughta know. A man's best friend in human form I'm a D-I-N-G-O." (Ross … Continue reading By Dingoes
Harmonica Riff Raff 