Nine Summers Lost / True to Yourself / Dew on Roses / Walking Ghost Blues / Your Eyes Have Seen / You Humble Me / Moon Goin Down / Love is the Fire / Long Black Veil / The Unspoken Quest
2011 Juno Award Nominee - BLUES ALBUM OF THE YEAR
It’s been five long years since East-West fusion blues artist Harry Manx released an album of original material. His ninth CD, titled “Bread and Buddha” is quite prescient for these uncertain times. The songs explore the ephemeral nature of the human experience while amply covering the folk ballad, world, and blues genres.
Harry has not shied away from full instrumentation on this outing: there is fullness and maturity to the songs, much like a well-seasoned wine. He spent two years on the recording and the album is self produced with help from Juno-award winning engineer John “Beetle” Bailey. He makes ample use of organ and piano and has scored strings for most of the songs. His trademark Mohan Veena is used more sparingly here, appearing only on two tracks, both of which are superb.
One of these, "True to Yourself" is an East Indian inspired tune featuring Samidha Joglekar on vocals. The lyrics refer to the idea that "If I had the chance to live again, I'd be more daring; I'd make more mistakes, and sooner". Harry's lyrics point to the divine: "Naked noise around me, hopeless to hear myself, you seemed to fall into my sky, I loved nobody else".
As usual Harry has chosen his covers carefully. Kevin Breit’s "Humble Me", a wistful piano-based song, speaks of the struggles of a single parent: It's a beautifully crafted tune that articulates the heartbreak of separation.
"Moon Goin Down", a Charley Patton tune, finds Harry comfortably back in traditional blues territory. Charlie Patton was one of the early purveyors of the blues and Harry first played the song at a tribute concert to him in New York City with John Hammond a few years ago.
Harry covers "Long Black Veil", a classic about a tragic case of mistaken identity and secret lovers. It’s been recorded many times, and while it would be daunting to top Johnny Cash’s version (Harry’s personal favourite), the use of Samidha’s unearthly vocals and solid piano support make this version unique.
The album’s closing instrumental track, "The Unspoken Truth" is an improvisation on an Indian scale. Samidha Joglekar provides haunting vocals and Harry employs the Mohan Veena to great effect. The back and forth duet highlights the depth of the notes and the silences between them. The tune explores the idea that the more silent one is, the more one can truly hear.
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