Legendary
Blues Guitarist
Harvey
“The Snake” Mandel
Releases
Early Solo Albums
In
6CD Box Set!
Press
Release: Courtesy of Glass Onyon PR
Los Angeles, CA – Innovative blues guitarist Harvey Mandel, has had the
kind of career that musicians dream about. Most known for his pivotal work with
blues rock institution Canned Heat in 1969 & 70 including their legendary
performance at Woodstock, Mandel has over the course of his 6 decade career
collaborated with music luminaries such as John Mayall, The Rolling Stones,
Love, The Ventures and many more! But Mandel’s genius playing truly shines on
his solo efforts, which he began releasing in 1968, and continues to release to
this day. Now, some of these early solo albums are being made available in a
deluxe 6CD box set from Purple Pyramid Records on January 20.
The limited edition Snake
Box includes 5 classic solo albums each packaged in its own sleeve
with original artwork plus a bonus 1968 concert recording and a full-color booklet
with in-depth liner notes! Taking its title from Mandel’s nickname “The Snake”
given to him by Canned Heat’s keyboardist for his cracked leather jacket and
his snake-like guitar licks, this box set is an essential piece for fans of
this lethally talented musician.
Harvey Mandel began his career as the original guitarist for Chicago
blues legend Charlie Musselwhite, appearing on his 1966 debut album Stand Back!. He then relocated to
the Bay Area, performing often at a club called The Matrix, where local
favorites like Jerry Garcia and Elvin Bishop would sit in and jam (a recording
of which makes up the bonus disc of Snake
Box). He then met up with renowned producer Abe “Voco”’ Kesh,
releasing his first solo album titled, Cristo
Redentor in 1968, which included his extra-terrestrial version of
“Wade in the Water,” still a classic to this day. Then the news arrived that
Harvey Mandel had replaced Henry Vestine as lead guitarist of Canned Heat, and
it was clear that his talents had been noticed by more than just a few
musicians. After several tours and 3 albums with the Heat, he was recruited by
British blues man John Mayall to be a member of the Bluesbreakers. In 1971
Mandel resumed his solo career, releasing several more albums including Baby Batter & The Snake.
One of Mandel’s most significant session credits was his participation
on The Rolling Stones’ 1976 LP Black
and Blue. His unique style is evident on the song “Hot Stuff.” When
Mick Taylor left the Stones at the end of 1974, Jagger & Co. auditioned
various guitarists, among them Mandel and the man who eventually got the job,
Ronnie Wood. Following his success with the Stones, he became a busy session
player with groups such as Love and The Ventures, and opened for Jeff Beck on
his Canadian tour as part of a power trio with Jimmy Haslip, of the
Yellowjackets. He relocated to Chicago in the late ‘70s and continued to tour
extensively as well as supporting groups such as Roxy Music. Throughout the
next 3 decades, Mandel has earned copious praises for both his solo work and
his collaborative efforts becoming one of the most influential and best known
guitar players of his era. Now’s your chance to own a box set featuring the
albums that started it all!
To order the box set: http://geni.us/1e5K
To download on iTunes: http://geni.us/ScV
DISC 1: Cristo
Redentor (1968)
1. Cristo Redentor
2. Before Six
3. The Lark
4. Snake
5. Long Wait
6. Wade In The Water
7. Lights Out
8. Bradley’s Barn
9. You Can’t Tell Me
10. Nashville 1 A.M.
DISC 2: Righteous (1969)
1. Righteous
2. Jive Samba
3. Love Of Life
4. Poontang
5. Just A Hair More
6. Summer Sequence
7. Short’s Stuff
8. Boo-Bee-Doo
9. Campus Blues
DISC 3: Games Guitars Play (1970)
1. Leavin’ Trunk
2. Honky Tonk
3. I Don’t Need No Doctor
4. Dry Your Eyes
5. Ridin’ High
6. Capurange
7. Señor Blues
8. Games People Play
DISC 4: Baby Batter (1971)
1. Baby Batter
2. Midnight Sun
3. One Way Street
4. Morton Grove Mama
5. Freedom Ball
6. El Stinger
7. Hank The Ripper
DISC 5: The Snake (1972)
1. The Divining Rod
2. Pegasus
3. Lynda Love
4. Peruvian Flake
5. The Snake
6. Uno Ino
7. Ode To The Owl
8. Levitation
9. Bite The Electric Eel
DISC 6: Live At The Matrix 1968
1. Jam
2. You’ve Got To Feel It
3. 3 O’Clock In The Morning
4. She’s A Mojo Worker
Press inquiries:
Glass Onyon PR
Billy James
PH: 828-350-8158
CLEOPATRA RECORDS, Inc.
11041 Santa Monica Blvd #703
Los Angeles CA 90025
