Number 20, pictured here in this Geo. Borgfeldt 1899 Catalogue, is an Aussie branded mouth organ named in reference to our world famous opera singer Dame Nellie Melba. Nellie was born Helen Porter Mitchell in Richmond (an inner city suburb of Melbourne, Victoria Australia) and while learning the ropes in London in 1886, she adopted … Continue reading Doin’ a Melba (or a Farnsy)
Strange days indeed. Most peculiar Mama. Had a reply earlier this month to an email I sent in November 2018 from harmonica legend Charlie Musselwhite. Nearly fell off my couch! Better late that never. After Memphis Charlie's second album with Ben Harper I asked him this question via his website contact. "Just wondering if Charlie … Continue reading Crackshot
G'Day Riff Raffers, It's an Australian hop, the Kangaroo hop, but it's also the German hop. Earlier this year I found The Kangaroo mouth organ in of all places Riga, Latvia. I had believed in the beginning that this was manufactured by Seydel for Albert's here down under. In Ray Grieve's magnificent resource book Boomerangs … Continue reading Kangaroo Hop (The Swiss Connection)
Happy new month Riff Raffers. Our penultimate NFSCD, #11! Larry Adler was a phenomenon worldwide and he took Australia by storm when he toured in the late 1930's. He was even a good mate of our Don Bradman. Here's some sound advice from the little master and a few caricatures to boot. Ch SD PS: … Continue reading Larry’s Lesson-NFSCD #11
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
Happy new month Riff Raffers, Now for something completely different number seven. This was advertised mid to late 1930's. Not much to add really, except,"Oh really!" Mick would've loved it well at least liked it, yes he would. (Sydney Morning Herald, 9th July 1938) Ch SD PS: Just in case you were in early on … Continue reading Lip Protector-NFSCD #7
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
Hi there Riff Raffers, Now for something completely different number three. ( He Plays His Harmonica On The Harbour Bed Maritime Services Board diver Bill Lamb plays a harmonica while standing on the bottom of Sydney Harbour. He developed this curious habit to amuse himself during idle moments and claims that he is the only … Continue reading NFSCD #3- Down Under
A timeline of Australian models (an attempt), as promised a while back. An up-to-date remastered version is out now. Just click here Remastered. No no no, not that type of model, sorry! Australian brand harmonicas up to WWII. Like this.1890’s-The Scorcher (F A Rauner/Feldheim, Gotthelf & Co)-up to 1920 1895/99-The Melba (?/H S Chipman-TM 1895), … Continue reading Aussie Models-Timeline
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
Harmonica Riff Raff 