The order of the songs in the concert and on the disc are arranged so that this effect is maximized. With the opening song, "Point Of Purchase" featuring a beautiful and haunting vocal performance from Samidha being immediately followed by Harry's version of the traditional blues tune "Take This Hammer" the relationship between the two musical style is formed right from the start. It's not until the fourth song on the disc though, that they meet in one song, and I promise you that you've never heard a version of Jimi Hendrix's "Voodoo Child (slight return)" quite like this one.
Banjo and tabla are not instruments one normally associates with Hendrix's blues/rock classic, but somehow when accompanied by electric guitar, bass, harmonica, and Samidha's vocal harmonies, it's as powerful a version of the song as any that Hendrix ever did. Hendrix recorded two versions of the song, one the popular hard rock song, the other a slow blues number, and this is a cover of the latter. There was always a heavy spiritual element to Jimi Hendrix's music, but most people never really paid much attention to it. Harry and his band not only pay attention to it, but they bring it out so strongly that one wonders how it ever could have been missed in the past.
For people who are fans of Harry Manx and have never had the opportunity to hear him in concert, Live At The Glenn Gould Studio is a disc you don't want to miss because not only is the sound quality amazing, it also captures the immediacy and intimacy of the live concert experience. For those who aren't familiar with his unique style of music, this a wonderful way of being introduced to what he does. You will hear how west and east can meet, with beautiful and harmonious results. No matter how you look at it, Live At The Glenn Gould Studio is great music. It's already released in Canada, but those in the U.S. will have to wait until March 25th, 2008 until they can get their copies.
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