“An extensive tie-up has been arranged with J. Albert and Son on a mutual exploitation idea to boost Boomerang mouth organs and Paramount pictures. These novelties can be obtained from the exchange.” (Everyones Vol.10 No.473 (13 March 1929) These novelties don’t appear to be carved from wood, but more likely a cardboard cut out. Neil … Continue reading Paramount Boomerang
Back in 1971 Daddy Cool released their Lollipop Extended Play. The ‘A’ side was titled the ‘Jump Side’ and the reverse the ‘School Side’. The idea was to feature each of the lads vocally on one of the songs and, in one case, his instrument of choice. Now I wasn’t a big fan of their … Continue reading Hammerin’ On The Blow
I have been well ministered by Steve Williams on the need to stay away from the vocal when playing harmonica, both in the band and in the recording studio. In recent times I have become increasingly discerning of harp players trying to play too many notes and play phrases that don’t appear to have any … Continue reading The Space Is The Place!
Hello Riff Raffers, Rodney 'Gravy' Harris (pictured below - left) had a dream to be up on stage belting out 'R & B' songs with his own band and recording an album. For many years he had worked back stage with legendary Australian bands, 'Daddy Cool' and 'Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons' as their … Continue reading Making Gravy
Hi Riff Raffers, It was the summer of '63. The venue Flinders Street Extension outside the 'Mission for Seaman'. A fifteen year old boy from Hampton was hitching to Torquay for some surfing. His lift to the city couldn't take him any further and as he alights from the passenger side into the street he … Continue reading Break A Leg
Hi Riff Raffers, Going to take you back to the year 1970, to an age of herbal music festivals. The venue for this festival is just twenty minutes from the authors home in the 'Dandenongs'. Launching Place, the town was named as freshly cut logs of timber were launched here on the Yarra River and … Continue reading Marooned At Launching Place.
Harmonica Riff Raff 