I have a song which sits lonely in the drawer marked good, not  alone but distant from it's neighbours. When performing this song I persevere with an instrumental verse augmented by the harmonica. Why? Because it was given to me by Larry Adler.

Walk along the Southbank on a Sunday afternoon as far as the Royal Festival Hall, go in and see the exhibition then lean on the bar and listen to the jazz band; I was doing this once when I decided to buy some dry-roasted peanuts .As I inclined my head  to catch the air escaping from the newly opened bag,  my attention was caught  by the sight of Melvyn Bragg, George Melly and, fucking hell I thought, Larry Adler. Here was a man in whose hands the status of the lowly harmonica  was elevated to that of the piano or violin; not a tired old hippy parping the blues or a suck-blow Bob but a man with melody who could make the mouth organ sound like an orchestra.

I had recently bought a harmonica and, the great thing about it being it's portability, had it in my jacket pocket. Having made my way to the end of the bar I held my harp out to Larry.
'Im a great admirer of yours, I know it's not much but I'd like you to have this'
There was silence as Larry took my gift and, having removed some pocket fluff from the holes, examined it carefully; especially where it said 'Made In China'. He smiled a big smile from one big ear to the other and  offered  me the harmonica back. 'You have it 'he said.
Melvyn coughed nervously , turned sideways and made a suggestion "When Ned gets here shall we go for a Chinese?"

I finished my drink and took the last of my nuts to a bench by the river where I practised playing 'Danny Boy' until some skateboarders started throwing rubbish at me; I got the bus home thinking what an almost perfect day it had been.

Now, whenever I play 'Airfix Lancaster Budgerigar', I feel it is with the endorsement and approval of Sir Larry Adler  that I  use the above instrument .