I recently asked my friend Rob Paparozzi about the death of Stan Harper. He posted the question on Facebook and it was apparent that there was little or nothing online. I had just edited some tributes to Franz Chmel and Toots Thielemans for the October 2016 issue of Harmonica World and we both thought it […]
Groups
Harmonica Groups at Christmas
Seasonal Christmas music played by Harmonica Groups – chromatic, chord and bass harmonicas – The Harmonica Men, The New Don Les Harmonicats, Harmonicas International (James Hughes/Rob Janssen), Chris Bauer, Charlie McCoy and Pete Pedersen. The Madcats – Joe di Fulvio, Carl Ford and Vinnie Yurgelis The Harmonica Men – Merry Christmas – Richard Harris (Chromatic), […]
National Poetry Day 2015 – Borrah Minevitch and the Rascals
Dedicated to Borrah Minevitch – Johnny Puleo and all Harmonica Rascals Although regarded by some folk as crude and simple toys the pleasure of harmonica were shared by scores of boys A youth called Borrah Minevitch selling papers on the street would play mouth-organ melodies his customers to treat In a theatre show on Broadway […]
Golden Age of the Harmonica on BBC Radio – 1950 to 1960
Imagine you are back in the 1950s. Tune your AM Radio to the BBC and listen . The harmonica was heard in many radio comedies, variety and serious music shows in the 1950s. Here are some examples featuring Tommy Reilly, Larry Adler, Ronald Chesney, Max Geldray, The Morton Fraser Gang and The Three Monarchs. Shows […]
Old Harmonica Favourites – Part 2 – Quartets, Trios, Duos and Soloists
More popular harmonica group favourites from the 1940s and 50s are from a large collection of recordings assembled by John Bryan (1924-2014) who built up contacts and friendships around the world who exchanged music with him. This broadcast covers tracks from many harmonica groups and soloists. See also Part 1, Old Harmonica Favourites. Old Harmonica Favourites […]