Search - Harry Manx :: Mantras for Madmen

Exotic, yet strangely timeless

twangmon | Nashville, TN USA | 05/17/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While most musicians are content to work within the accepted boundaries of their chosen style, lap-slide guitarist Harry Manx likes to color way outside the lines. His crayons? Soulful, raspy vocals, poetic lyrics, and the whining drones and mysterious melisma of Indian music. In addition to picking Hawaiian-style flat-top à la David Lindley, Ben Harper, or Kelly Joe Phelps, Manx plays the mohan veena-a 20-string archtop developed by Indian slide wizard Vishwa Mohan Bhatt. East/West fusions can sometimes sound forced or awkward, but Manx-who studied with Bhatt for five years-dodges that bullet. On Mantras for Madmen, mandolin, banjo, harmonica, tamboura, tabla, and haunting female voices swirl seamlessly around intricate slide melodies, creating an exotic, yet strangely timeless sound. Drawing from blues, ragas, and the story-telling heritage of British Isles folk music, Manx conjures songs that are as bewitching as they are unique."

Another level for Harry

M. Gordon | Gila Wilderness, New Mexico | 01/19/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've been listening to Manx' blues ever since I caught him in concert here in New Mexico. "Road Ragas" being my favorite until this new release which really showcases his talent at writing songs, let alone the unique Indian instrument (I would write the name but would slaughter the spelling-a sitar/guitar cross)he plays them to. Don't let Mantra in the title sway you into thinking this is true sanskrit mantra (which I also listen to) but I think it is his way of honoring his unique East/West style and he does have a terrific sense of humor which also prevails in his songs. Good go Harry-come back to New Mexico soon!"

Wise words and cool tunes

A. Butterfield | UK | 03/28/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I guess the most obvious way to differentiate Harry Manx from his peers is his use of Indian instruments, and in paricular the Mohan Veena. Well, actually what's unique and very refreshing is the way he integrates those sounds into a fusion of Blues and Americana that remind me of some of the other artists I love, but also stands out from them.

For all the exoticism of the instrumentation, Harry's songs are actually pretty accessible, and like the best songs are a bit mysterious in their actual meaning but give you a feeling that he's really saying something. Don't Take His Name Away is a terrific song about life and death and memory. I wonder who it's about.

Another standout song is A Single Spark, which has the trademark Indian sound mixed with an emotive blues sound and an intriguing, memorable lyric.

There's not a bad song on the album, though It Takes a Tear, a duet with a singer who's not really interesting enough, comes closest to being one you might want to skip past.

I like the production, even though it sounds at times almost too clean and bright for Blues. The production favours the sound of the Indian instruments, and the couple of instrumentals using those instruments sound fantastic.

On the whole, one of the best albums I've heard for some time. I can see I'll be enjoying this one for years to come."