Record Reviews
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  | GRAHAM BOND ~ MIGHTY GRAHAME BOND
ESOTERIC 2240 (Barcode: 5013929734029) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1969 Released: 2011
Following the demise of the Graham Bond OrganizationFind albums by this artist, British saxophonist / keyboardist / vocalist / composer Graham BondFind albums by this artist left the UK for a brief residency in US, where he recorded two little known solo albums, of which this was the second. Bond was probably the most influential figure on the British music scene in the mid-1960s, when he led a group consisting of the finest musicians in the land, which practically invented Jazz-Rock Fusion. Sadly his troubled personal life, which included mental instability and heavy drug abuse, prevented him from achieving the success he so richly deserved and eventually led to his tragic death. But his recorded legacy is with us forever and everything he recorded is worthy of attention. Bond is joined by a great set of musicians on this album: guitarist Harvey MandelFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Frank MayesFind albums by this artist, bassist Harvey BrooksFind albums by this artist and drummers Drachen TheakerFind albums by this artist (another British hero resident in US at the time) and Eddie HohFind albums by this artist. He composed all the music / wrote all the lyrics. The material is amazing, as always, with heavy Jazz influence, but also Rhythm And Blues and Soul references. Bond plays some extraordinary organ parts and his vocals are also excellent, probably the best vocal parts he ever recorded. Considering the fact that this material was not available on the market for over 40 years makes this reissue a momentous occasion. A must to the numerous Bond fans, wherever they might be.
| | Updated: 08/05/2023Posted: | CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | HARVEY MANDEL ~ LIVE AT BROADWAY STUDIOS – SAN FRANCISCO
ROCK BEAT 3366 (Barcode: 089353336622) ~ USA ~ Blues-Rock
Recorded: 2001 Released: 2018
This is an archival live album by legendary American Blues guitarist / composer Harvey MandelFind albums by this artist, recorded with keyboardist Dave ScottFind albums by this artist, bassist Joe DevitoFind albums by this artist and drummer John UlenFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten tracks, all of which are original compositions by Mandel, including many of his signature tunes.
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.
Mandel’s guitar sound and phrasing are completely unique and as such are 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. He really deserves to be discovered by the true guitar lovers of all ages, as his relative anonymity is a crying shame.
This live recording offers relatively long explorations, full of brilliant guitar playing, which portrays Mandel’s abilities at their more explosive display, including a fourteen minutes long version of his composition “Wade In The Water”. The sound quality of this album is quite exceptional and offers an unedited document of the performance without any sound manipulation, which makes it very authentic.
Overall, this is an excellent opportunity to get to know or revisit 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 he first appeared on the scene.
| | Updated: 08/06/2023Posted: 08/06/2023 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | 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 |
  | HARVEY MANDEL ~ SNAKE PIT
TOMPKINS SQUARE 5296 (Barcode: 856225005296) ~ USA ~ Blues-Rock
Recorded: 2016 Released: 2016
This is the fifteenth studio album by legendary American Blues-Rock guitarist / composer Harvey MandelFind albums by this artist, recorded with keyboardist Ben BoyeFind albums by this artist, bassist Anton HatwichFind albums by this artist, drummer Ryan JewellFind albums by this artist, guitarist Brian SulpizioFind albums by this artist and conga player Jose NajeraFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight tracks, seven of which are original compositions by Mandel.
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.
Mandel’s guitar sound and phrasing are completely unique and as such are 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. He really deserves to be discovered by the true guitar lovers of all ages, as his relative anonymity is a crying shame.
Overall, this is an excellent opportunity to get to know or revisit 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 he first appeared on the scene.
| | Updated: 24/02/2023Posted: 24/02/2023 | CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend |
  | HARVEY MANDEL ~ WHO`S CALLING
TOMPKINS SQUARE 5920 (Barcode: 856225005920) ~ USA ~ Blues-Rock
Recorded: 2022 Released: 2022
This is an album by legendary American Blues guitarist / composer Harvey MandelFind albums by this artist, recorded in a trio format with bassist Andy HessFind albums by this artist and drummer Ryan JewellFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight original compositions, all by Mandel.
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.
Mandel’s guitar sound and phrasing are completely unique and as such are 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.
Overall, this is an excellent opportunity to get to know or revisit 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 he first appeared on the scene
| | Updated: 21/01/2023Posted: 21/01/2023 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | JOHN MAYALL ~ LIVE IN FRANCE 1967-73
REPERTOIRE 1459 (Barcode: 4009910145920) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Blues Fusion
Recorded: 1967 - 1973 Released: 2023
This is an archival album by the greatest British Blues Artists of all time, the iconic ninety years old Blues legend John MayallFind albums by this artist. The material originates from the French TV archives and presents twenty-two tracks captured during the five most productive years of Mayall’s early career, both on two CDs and a DVD. The list of participants reads like the Who’s Who of the Blues and Jazz-Blues Fusion history of the Golden Decade: guitarists Mick TaylorFind albums by this artist, Jon MarkFind albums by this artist, Harvey MandelFind albums by this artist and Freddie RobinsonFind albums by this artist, bassists Steve ThompsonFind albums by this artist, Alex DmochowskiFind albums by this artist, Larry TaylorFind albums by this artist and Victor GaskinFind albums by this artist, drummers Keef HartleyFind albums by this artist, Colin AllenFind albums by this artist and Paul LagosFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Dick Heckstall-SmithFind albums by this artist, Johnny AlmondFind albums by this artist and Red HollowayFind albums by this artist, violinist Don Sugarcane HarrisFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Blue MitchellFind albums by this artist and others.
During those years Mayall’s groups changed constantly, and with the lineup changes also the stylistic direction changed accordingly, moving from classic Blues towards more open, Jazz influenced acoustic Blues and later Brass-Rock Blues. Mayall was constantly searching for new avenues to explore the Blues realm, gradually moving away from the classic traditional Blues songs towards original material.
This compendium of previously unavailable material is of course an incredible historic document of great value. Although the sonic quality is far from perfect at times, but combined with the video footage brings backs fond memories of a time period, when originality and uncompromised creativity was above all. Mayall’s magnificent contribution to music deserves this kind of documentation and Repertoire Records are certainly one of the best activists in that area.
Overall, this is a magnificent addition to Mayall’s recorded history and an absolute must for his many faithful followers. One can only hope for many such archival releases to follow suit. Thank you John for a lifetime of music!
| | Updated: 30/12/2023Posted: 30/12/2023 | 2CD+DVD 3 Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
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