Record Reviews

HARVEY MANDEL ~ SNAKE BOX PURPLE PYRAMID 3014 (Barcode: 889466301421) ~ USA ~ Blues-Rock Recorded: 1968 - 1972 Released: 2022 This is a 6CD Box Set by American Blues-Rock guitarist / composer Harvey MandelFind albums by this artist, which collects his first five solo albums and a bonus CD with a previously unreleased 1968 live recording at the Matrix club. The albums are “Cristo RedentorFind albums with this title” (1968), “RighteousFind albums with this title” (1969), “Games Guitars PlayFind albums with this title” (1970), “Baby BatterFind albums with this title” (1971) and “The SnakeFind albums with this title” (1972). Mandel enjoyed a meteoric career during his early days on the scene, playing with Canned HeatFind albums by this artist, John MayallFind albums by this artist’s BluesbreakersFind albums by this artist and even a brief stint with the Rolling StonesFind albums by this artist, which was followed by less prominent activity, which still continues to this very day. The musicians who play alongside Mandel on these early albums include many legendary musicians of the period, including keyboardists Graham BondFind albums by this artist and Barry GoldbergFind albums by this artist, bassist Larry TaylorFind albums by this artist and others. Most of the music was composed by Mandel. Mandel’s guitar sound and phrasing are completely unique and as such highly admired by many other guitar players. He mixes several techniques he invented and perfected, that put him in his own category of guitar virtuosos. This Box Set is a reprint of the same Box Set released in 2015, offering no bonus tracks and very basic packaging and sketchy liner notes, as usual in such cases, but the music is brilliant from start to finish. Overall, this is an excellent opportunity to get to know one of the lesser known heroes of the American Blues-Rock scene and hear some highly unusual guitar playing, with certain Jazz influences, which remains as fresh and enticing as it was fifty plus years ago, when it was recorded.

Updated: 01/05/2022Posted: 01/05/2022

CD 6 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend

RIDES ~ CAN`T GET ENOUGH PROVOGUE 7412 (Barcode: 819873010142) ~ USA ~ Blues-Rock Recorded: 2013 Released: 2013 This is the debut album by American Blues-Rock band The RidesFind albums by this artist, formed in 2013 by the legendary singer / songwriter / guitarist Stephen StillsFind albums by this artist with singer / songwriter Kenny Wayne ShepherdFind albums by this artist and veteran keyboardist Barry GoldbergFind albums by this artist. The band also includes bassist Kevin McCormickFind albums by this artist and drummer Chris LaytonFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten songs, four of which are originals co-written by the three founding members of the band, one is written by Neil YoungFind albums by this artist, one is written by Stills, one is written by Iggy PopFind albums by this artist and three are Blues standards. Stills is able to put his ego away and embrace a much younger Blues-Rock star like Shepherd in order to create what he calls "the blues band of my dreams" in order to revisit his Blues roots. Surprisingly this unlikely coalition works out splendidly and the album is full of a true camaraderie and more importantly some superb Blues songs with scorching guitar solos all along the way. The new songs are all first class and the covers are updated with sparkling and ass-kicking rejuvenated arrangements, altogether resulting in an album that might have been recorded fifty years earlier – and I mean this as a compliment. For all the Classic Rock / Blues-Rock enthusiasts, who still listen to real music today, this is as good as this type of music ever gets. Nostalgia, "heard it all already", etc. – who cares! This music is alive and kicking and all you contemporary zombie-music lovers eat your hearts out! This music truly rocks!

Updated: 27/04/2019Posted: 27/04/2019

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

RIDES ~ PIERCED ARROW PROVOGUE 7461 (Barcode: 819873013341) ~ USA ~ Blues-Rock Recorded: 2016 Released: 2016 This is the second album by American Blues-Rock band The RidesFind albums by this artist, formed in 2013 by the legendary singer / songwriter / guitarist Stephen StillsFind albums by this artist with singer / songwriter Kenny Wayne ShepherdFind albums by this artist and veteran keyboardist Barry GoldbergFind albums by this artist. The band also includes bassist Kevin McCormickFind albums by this artist and drummer Chris LaytonFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten songs, nine of which are originals co-written by the three founding members of the band and the bassist and one is a Blues standard. This album is decidedly less Blues oriented than the debut and offers mostly American Rock with some Bluesy spicing, but the songs are all as good as Rock songs get and are all perfectly executed. Stills still sings wonderfully as does Shepherd and both play tasty guitar solos, so what else can one ask for. At least these guys play what they believe in and they have something to say, which is better that most other "music" maker these days. One can wonder if these guys have it in them to deliver another album of their songs – time will show. Shepherd has a stardom career to run, which personally leaves me rather cold, and it is Stills who made me to listen to The Rides, and I honestly don´t regret it. For all the Classic Rock / Blues-Rock enthusiasts, who still listen to real music today, this is as good as this type of music ever gets. Nostalgia, "heard it all already", etc. – who cares! This music is alive and kicking and all you contemporary zombie-music lovers eat your hearts out! This music truly rocks!

Updated: 28/04/2019Posted: 28/04/2019

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend