Aussie Folk Burger
Fairlight Festivals 1971 Venue: 200 acre farm (Fairlight) four miles south of Mittagong on the way to Berrima NSW. Set in a gentle sloping clearing divided by a stream. One side set for camping the other music. Stage: An old Sydney tram elevated six feet off the ground with a twenty foot extension out the … Continue reading Fairlight Festival Revisited (or the adventures of the Mittagong Mafia).
Popping up in my research a few years back was evidence of the existence of a Jazz Master Chromatic. Victorian Laurie Smith evidently possessed one. A year after publishing this information, so did Canadian collector Doug Dawson. Where did he locate this Australian brand harmonica? Of all places in Sweden. Doug Dawson’s specimen. Recently I … Continue reading Wizard Master Blaster
Started out seeking fortune and glory It's a short song, but it's a hell of a story, when you spend your lifetime trying to get Your hands on the Holy Grail Mark Seymour Eureka! Lucky strike! Location: Tamworth the heart of Country music and former venue of the now defunct Hohner Golden Harmonica Championship. The … Continue reading Barran Can (The Holy Grail)
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
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
A recent acquisition to the collection from a Brisbane second hand dealer was The Lone Star Rider Hohner Harmonica. Not really in my wheelhouse (except for the the price), but I was having withdrawal symptoms having not acquired any Aussie ‘Arps for some time. I remember when I was young and the world had just … Continue reading Yippee ki – yay!
Following on from presenting my Suzuki Animatronic last month, I thought I would reveal my Hohner counter swivel shop display. Shaped like a ten hole tin can (only plastic) harmonica. It houses twenty harmonicas that can be viewed through Perspex windows. My counter top display features eight autographed harps by Aussie greats. From top to … Continue reading Hohner Houses
Animatronics: of, relating to, or being a puppet or similar figure that is animated by means of electromechanical devices. (Merriam-Webster) Suzuki Blues Man One of my favourite advertising memorabilia in my eclectic collection is this Suzuki animatronic. These were probably only for use in music stores in the 1990’s. My fella is in great working … Continue reading Animatronics
Homage to the mouth-organ the "bushman's orchestra" - was paid by a professor of music at the Merrylands and Cumberland District Eisteddfod on Saturday. He was Professor C. Sauer, who carries the degree of A.Mus., and holds diplomas of Art at London, Paris and Sydney. “I love the mouth-organ because it has such a soothing … Continue reading The Professor & Merrylands
NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT Two - In - One A ten-hole harmonica is used, and the four centre holes are drilled right through the back. These holes are then closed by means of an improvised valve of the accordion type, which can be made from a small spring paper clip. A suitable kazoo is … Continue reading The Great (Harmonica) Kazoo
Harmonica Riff Raff 