Customer Reviews

Mantras for Madmen

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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.

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.

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!

I love this CD, I love Harry Manx, he is so blusey and his voice and music is undescrible, I recommend this CD for every blues lover and sitar music lover. Highly recommended.

Blues with an "Indian touch", Earthy and exotic

I had never heard of Harry Manx before this years Arts Presenters Conference in New York but many friends said "you have to see this guy!". They were sure right. Manx only played a short 20 minute "showcase" but I was hooked and followed up getting a few of his CDs. This one - Mantras For Madmen" is, by far my favorite.

I must admit that I'm not a big fan of Indian (as from India, not Native American) music, whether it is from one of the Shankar family members or Bollywood. But Manx uses traditional Indian instruments in a non-traditional way. He evokes the earthy blues sounds of American folk musicians but tweaks that too. His voice has a worn quality that makes the songs even more appealing.

I play this CD nearly weekly and haven't tired of it yet! If you haven't heard Harry before, start with this CD and have a happy exploration! You'll be glad you did! (I sure am!)

Steve Ramm

"Anything Phonographic"