Borrah Minevitch & His Harmonica Rascals

Spike Jones wasn't the only purveyor of crazy novelty music in the first half of the 20th century (we've already covered Irving Aaronson). Russian-born Borrah Minevitch led a zany combo that were very popular from the late 1920s to Minevitchs' untimely death in the '50s. Space Age Pop sez, "the novelty of a whole harmonica band, using the full range from huge bass to tiny alto harmonica, made a terrific impression. Within a year, Minevitch and his Harmonica Rascals were one of the hottest acts on the vaudeville circuit." They even featured a midget, Johnny Puleo, who was featured prominently in their on-stage shenanigans, as videos of the group on YouTube attest.

I took an informal survey asking "What's your least-favorite music instrument?" and the harmonica got the most votes. For that I think you can thank the atonal bleating of Bob Dylan and his musical offspring. But this stuff is not only wacky fun, but virtuosically arranged and performed, making it an impressive listen even apart from the novelty of hearing absolutely no other instruments (or singing) apart from harmonicas. This CD tacked on a few songs by the very commercially successful spin-off group, Jerry Murad's Harmonicats, whose albums are frequently found in bargain bins and thrift stores. But compared to the Harmonica Rascals, the Harmonicats had a much more easy-listening sound. And no midgets.

Borrah Minevitch & His Harmonica Rascals

1. The Carioca

2. Chinatown, My Chinatown

3. Daybreak Express

4. Moonglow

5. Nagasaki

6. Bugle Call Rag

7. Caprice Viennois

8. On Treasure Island

9. Limehouse Blues

10. I've Got A Feelin' You're Foolin/You Are My Lucky Star

11. The Ghost Walk

12. Deep River

13. Liebestraum

14. Hora Staccato

15. La Violetera

16. On The Loose

17. Boots And Saddle

18. The Music Goes 'Round And Around

19. Peg O' My Heart - Jerry Murad's Harmonicats

20. Fantasy Impromptu - Jerry Murad's Harmonicats

21. Bye Bye Blues - Jerry Murad's Harmonicats

22. Willow Weep For Me - Jerry Murad's Harmonicats Plus, I've added - at no extra cost to you! - an excellent bonus track: "Hungarian Rhapsody # 2," collected elsewhere on teh intar-webs.