Re: [Harp-L] Happy Harmonica?

[Joe and Cass Leone <leone@xxxxxxxx>]

On Mar 19, 2006, at 7:02 PM, Snaruhn@xxxxxxx wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> if not harp-L then nobody may answer the question whether "Happy 
> Harmonica"
> is the name of a harp band or just the title of any harp band´s 
> recording.

The Boris Draper orchestra did a happy harmonica vinyl LP. Also TWO 
happy harmonica vinyl LPs were put out by Stagg McMann (I am TOLD). 
There are NO indications on the albums that they were done by Hugh 
McCaskey (Stagg McMann), but I have been assured by a good source that 
they were. They are multi tracked and have as many as 6 parts NOT 
including the bass & chord. Leo Diamond was famous for multi tracking 
much earlier (40s-50s) and would do a complete 9 part arrangement all 
by himself. This was what you were hearing.

One was called Happy Harmonica 'Show Stoppers'
The other was Happy Harmonica (in big pink and grey letters)

I had both and last month I gave them to a friend visiting from Mich. I 
thought 'Savoy Stomp' was also exceptional.
smo-joe
> Recently, I visited a harp friend and suddenly he put on an old black 
> record
> he found on a flea market. The label neither marked who was playing 
> nor how
> many harp players are acting but only that it was recorded in 1976 in 
> UK, the
> played tunes and in big lettters the title "Happy Harmonica".
>
> I recognized at least 6 or 7 players and specially remarkable was their
> performance
> of  "American patrol" and  "In the mood". It was not the usual 
> arrangement
> for
> harps but these amazing guys played the immortal evergreens almost 
> exactly
> as known by the Glen Miller band.
>
> Anybody there who can give some details on "Happy Harmonica"?
>
> Siegfried
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