Search - Joe Mannix :: Town By the Sea

Phil Ochs meets The Band in another place, another time

diodes fan | Seattle, WA | 07/14/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Joe Mannix is a key figure in the New York City songwriter underground, hosting monthly showcases; building a cult reputation with raves from the NY Times, Washington Times and media / airplay in the UK, Italy, Canada, Spain, Japan, France and more.

Joe is constantly touring and garnering airplay, fans and a reputation as a formidable live act either solo or with his trio ("with melody and muscle...the band and their leader held court from the get go" Amplifier).

A Town By The Sea is Joe's second solo album (there were also two acclaimed CDs with his roots rock band, Mannix). Recorded in an old dark church in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, with the cream of that city's roots musicians - spearheaded by producers Glenn Marshall (a Daniel Lanois engineer) and Canadian roots pop icon Dave Rave (Teenage Head, The Shakers, and ex-Lanois studio guitarist). This trio co-wrote the song "Gambler's Blues."

The result is a kind of sweet blend of Warren Zevon, Townes Van Zandt, Neal Young, Bruce Springsteen and David Gray; familiar and yet brand new at the same time, a comfortable warm wind of Americana blowin' down the cold winter streets of New York's East Village; like Phil Ochs fronting The Band in another place, another time."