6 minute read
“Blast from the Past”
From the first issue of Accordion Times and Harmonica News in 1935 by a young Larry Adler in the year he came to the UK.
This section contains articles from past issues and is a look back to a time when opinions of the day may not conform to what current acceptability might be. HarmonicaUK does not endorse any controversial opinions relating to the thinking of this period.
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Larry Adler Says - Issue 1, 1935
Larry Adler, the world’s Harmonica “Ace”, having made an extensive tour of Great Britain, has some interesting things to “BLAST FROM THE PAST” tell harmonica players. So you want me to talk ? O.K. And you tell me I can say what I like. That’s fine. First of all, I want to hand a whole lot of appreciation Roger Trobridge to the man who gave me the Big Chance in this HarmonicaUK country - Mr. C. B. Cochran. When he brought me over, he sat me Patron down in the Palace Theatre, London, and told me to watch the show (“Streamline,” you remember), and then tell him just where I would like to go in and what I would like to play. That’s never happened to me before. Most producers give you a “spot ” and tell you what tunes you’ve got to play. But “ C. B.’s ” method gave me a wonderful opportunity. I was able to do my best work in my own style, and it is very gratifying that the British public responded to my offering in the way they did. Since “Streamline” finished its very successful run, I have been seeing Britain. Touring has taken me to many parts of the country, and two features have been apparent everywhere - friendliness and enthusiasm.
It’s Everywhere
How many hundreds of harmonica players I have heard, at contests and elsewhere, I don’t know. But this instrument certainly has got a grip on the people of Britain. (And if correspondents only knew how much money I have had to spend on postage since coming over here, they would send stamped envelopes with their letters!) One point has struck me very forcibly. The Chromatic Harmonica is far more popular in the North than it is in London. How this happens it is impossible to say, but it is an undoubted fact.
London clubs and players had better watch out, or the folk up North will get away with all the glory! They seem to take things more seriously there and the general standard of playing is better. Not that the players down South have anything to be ashamed of. I’m just passing this on as a warning. You can’t get along without the spirit of competition. So, go to it, London!
Different Towns, Different Tunes
It’s strange, too, how tastes seem to differ. In the West End of London, most requests are for “ St. Louis Blues”. “ Tiger Rag ” and similar numbers. In North England people ask to hear such things as the Liszt “Hungarian Rhapsody,” etc.. Their chief request, in the matter of dance music is the big symphonic arrangement of “Body and Soul.” However, the “Rhapsody in Blue” seems to be a general favourite everywhere.
It’s Not Extravagance
The Editor having told me I can say just what I like, I’m going to air a couple of long-standing grievances. First of all, it’s quite true I use a new harmonica every day. But I want to say, right here and now, that it isn’t because there’s anything wrong with the instruments. No harmonica yet made would stand up to the punishment it gets from me. When I step in front of the footlights I go all out to get just everything the instrument can give me in the way of harmonic and instrumental effects. That’s not “fair wear and tear.” Not by any means! Remember, I use the ordinary “commercial” chromatic instruments exactly the same as you buy over the shop counter. I do not have them specially made, as some people seem to imagine. Perhaps, one of these days the makers will manage to produce reeds that can “take it”, but you must blame me and not the manufacturers for my present apparent extravagance.
That brings me to my second “grievance”. It is impossible for me to give away harmonicas after I have finished with them. For one thing, this would have a very bad effect on sales. After all, we must think of the people who make a living by selling harmonicas! Also, the instruments aren’t of much use to anyone by the time I’m through with them. And, when I tell you that 1,500 letters arrived after one broadcast alone, asking me for the harmonica I used, you will see how impossible the whole thing is.
A Spot of Good Advice
Every harmonica player cannot be expected to use a chromatic model. But I should like to see this instrument in more general use, particularly in the South. It has such vast possibilities - so many advantages over the ordinary model - that it more than repays the extra time taken in learning. Anyway, whether you use the chromatic or the ordinary harmonica, here’s good luck to you. And I would advise you to keep in touch with the rest of the “gang.” This new magazine of ours will help you to do that. Send a line to the Editor now and then, telling him how things are going. So long, fellows, Sincerely yours,
Larry Adler
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