Four solists were mainly responsible for rise in the popularity of the chromatic harmonica in the 1930s, 40s and 50s – Larry Adler, John Sebastian, Ronald Chesney and Tommy Reilly. They were all entertainers and the music they played came from musical shows, classical music and folk music. This programme is introduced by Larry Adler […]
Music Uploads
This collects all the individual music uploads but ignores the non-music posts.
Cyril Davies – from Trad Jazz to the Rolling Stones
The story of Cyril Davies, the first British blues harmonica player. From Traditional Jazz to Country Blues and Jug Bands in the 1950s. The meetings with blues greats like Big Bill Broonzy, Sonny Terry and Muddy Waters. Amplification and the Explosion of Blues Incorporated into the Ealing Club and The Marquee in 1962. A year […]
Norman Ives’ Introduction to the Harmonica.
Norman Ives died in 2015. This collection is from the wide range of blues, rock, ballads, country, and international harmonica music which he sold on cassettes in the 1990s. These tapes introduced me, and many others, to the potential of the harmonica. This is a tribute to Norman, who introduces the first track. He had […]
Rare Early Blues Harp Recordings by Singers and Sidemen introduced by Joe Filisko.
You may have heard of some of these performers and groups but there will probably be others that are new to you. The music styles range from early jazz to country blues and popular novelties. If you like this, Part 2, you can listen to Joe on Part 1, on The Archivist web page. Most […]
Rare Early Solo Instrumental Blues Harp Recordings introduced by Joe Filisko.
Sit back and listen to Joe Filisko introducing 31 solo harmonica recordings from the 1920-30s. The recordings include many examples of train imitations, fox chases and early blues tunes. Joe mentions which harp and key he thinks is the correct one so maybe you will be inspired to play along. Part 2 is now available […]
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 […]
Old Harmonica Favourites – Part 1 – Quartets, Trios, Duos and Soloists
These 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 groups and soloists. Some of the tunes are from the period of the […]