"Blues is like the earth and Indian music like the heavens. What I do is find the balance between the two" So we're back there again and this is the moment of truth, where will the critic fall in his judgement? Well I'm going to cop out and say that it's for you to decide. The blues and heaven are highly personal subjects for all of us, and each of us find our own way of transcending beyond our personal grief to find comfort where we need it.
On Mantras For Madmen what Harry Manx does is change the shape of the spiritual nature of the Blues. He infuses the songs with hope for moving through the moments in life where we get stuck in sadness or in frustration. It's all about perspective and knowing that something exists beyond your reality. If like me you feel that's finding the balance between heaven and earth than he succeeds.
Put aside all philosophy for a second again, and just think of it as music: Mantras for Madmen is a damn good album which I don't think any music collection should be without. If along the way it changes your perceptions about stuff, well that's not a bad thing either.
Article comments
1 - Oran Kelley
Just wanted to write to back you up on Harry Manx being something special. Not just because of the mix of sounds, not just because of the spirituality, but also because of the tough-mindedness and genuineness of his spirituality.
There are also plenty of artists out there peddling dime-store spirituality,a nd Manx isn't one of them. Unlike the run-of-the-mill, "spiritually uplifting" artist, Manx has obviously tried very hard to be honest with himself. And that honesty comes through powerfully in his music, and it often comes through as something deeply disquieting. As it should be.
Haven't heard this disc yet, but I have all his earlier releases and I'm dying to get my hands on this one.
OPK