Harvey Mandel

Harvey Mandel (born March 11 1945, Detroit, Michigan [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:gifexqe5ldfe~T1 All Music Guide biography] ] ) is an American guitarist known for his innovative approach to electric guitar playing. A professional at twenty, he has played with Charlie Musselwhite, Canned Heat, The Rolling Stones, and John Mayall before starting a solo career. Mandel is one of the first rock guitarists to use two-handed fretboard tapping.

Career

Mandel grew up in Chicago and his first recording was the album "Stand Back!" in 1966 with Charlie Musselwhite. He relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area, performing often at a club called The Matrix, where local favorites like Jerry Garcia or Elvin Bishop would sit in and jam. He then met up with Abe 'Voco' Kesh, who produced his first solo album, "Cristo Redentor" in 1968.

On the night that Henry Vestine quit Canned Heat, Mandel was in their dressing room at the Fillmore West. Mike Bloomfield joined them for the first set, and Mandel came in for the second set. His third gig with the band was the Woodstock Festival in 1969. He stayed with the band for a year, touring and recording material which appeared on three albums. "Let's Work Together", a song by Wilbert Harrison which was included in the album "Future Blues" became an international hit.

With Canned Heat bass player Larry Taylor, Mandel joined John Mayall for the next two years. He is heard playing on the two albums of that period "USA Union" and "Back to the Roots".

In 1972, he teamed up with Don "Sugarcane" Harris (who played violin for Mayall) and Randy Resnick on guitar, Victor Conte on bass, and Paul Lagos on drums, and formed the band Pure Food and Drug Act who released one album, "Choice Cuts".

When The Rolling Stones guitarist Mick Taylor (also a former Mayall sideman) left the band, Harvey Mandel was auditioned for a replacement and recorded two tracks for their 1976 album "Black and Blue", "Hot Stuff" and "Memory Motel".

During the 1970s Mandel released the albums "Baby Batter", "The Snake" and "Shangrenade", in the latter employing the technique of two-handed tapping. He has also released an instructional video titled "Harvey Mandel: Blues Guitar & Beyond".

Mandel's nickname, "The Snake," was given to him by keyboardist Barry Goldberg and referred to his cracked leather jacket.

Mandel acted in the film "Chalk", directed by Rob Nilsson, and contributed some original music.

Mandel has two daughters, Camille and Lola who currently live in france.

Discography

*1968 "Cristo Redentor", Philips Records
*1969 "Righteous", Philips
*1970 "Games Guitars Play", Philips
*1971 "Baby Batter", Stinger Records
*1971 "Electronic Progress", Bellaphon Records
*1972 "Get Off in Chicago", Ovation Records
*1972 "The Snake", BGO Records
*1973 "Shangrenade", Janus Records
*1974 "Feel the Sound of Harvey Mandel", Repertoire Records
*1994 "Twist City", Western Front
*1995 "Snakes & Stripes", Clarity
*1997 "Planetary Warrior", Lightyear
*2000 "Emerald Triangle", Orchard
*2000 "Lick This", Electric Snake
*2003 "West Coast Killaz", Electric Snake

References

*"Fito De La Parra, Living The Blues" (2000), ISBN 0-9676449-0-9

External links

* [http://www.harveymandel.com Official Harvey Mandel site]