Search - Harry Manx, Kevin Breit :: Jubilee

Jubilee - Harry Manx/Kevin Breit

D. H. Jones | UK | 05/18/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Manx and Breit met at a festival in Canada in 2001 and immediately struck up a musical understanding with an inspired improvised live set. A year later, they got together to record Jubilee, which embraces the spontaneity and freshness of a live performance. The CD compromises a range tracks written by Manx, a couple in partnership with Breit, and notable innovative covers: Danny O'Keefe wrote the laid back "Good Time Charlie's Got The Blues"; "Take This Hammer" (Working on a Railroad) is traditional song - also part of the Tom Topping Band repertoire; there's a disarming instrumental version of the Doobie Brothers classic, "Taking It To The Streets"; and an energised reworking of Jimi Hendrix's "Voodoo Child". This is a high quality CD but my favourite track, by a distance, is "Unmoved By Love", the only song written jointly by Manx and Breit. It is simply one of the best ballads ever written and it would not surprise me if it is widely covered by other artists. It demonstrates Manx's understated sensitive vocal attributes, combined with subtle acoustic accompaniment. The final track on the album - "Lastly Tender" - is a seductive instrumental written by Breit, who excels on his Resonator guitar. It rounds off a wonderfully eclectic range of contemporary blues, subtly influenced by Indian rhythms. Manx's contemporary style and demeanour is reminiscent of what you would expect from Richard Thompson if he had played the blues. He also seems to have acquired Thompson's taste in headgear. I was pointed in the direction of Harry Manx's music by Kristina Olsen, always a fine judge of music. I wasn't disappointed. He has found, in Kevin Breit, a musical soul - or should that be blues - mate."

Varied sound, very satisfying!

applewood | everywhere and nowhere | 01/19/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the third CD available from Manx, and it is a bit different from the others in that he is playing as a duo with fellow Canadian guitarist Kevin Breit. The resulting sound is more full and eclectic. Instead of sultry raga blues we have a more American flavoured blues jazz folk sound. The two met in 2001 at the Summerfolk festival in Ontario and played a killer set sight unseen. They teamed up again in 2002 for this live in studio recording, again without rehearsals or planning. The results are outstanding! Their opposite styles (cool and spunky) compliment beautifully. Manx plays mostly acoustic instruments; slide guitar, Mohan Veena, National Steel guitar, harmonica and banjo as well as his warm vocals, while Kevin plays an assortment of electric and acoustic instruments; guitars and bass, resonator guitar, banjo, mandocello, banjolin, mandolin, mandola, organ, bass pedals, guitorgan....you get the picture!The song selection is a nice mix of originals and covers (Good Time Charlie's Got The Blues is a pleasant surprise). Production and packaging is excellent as well. I love the informative and beautifully done liner notes, clearly a labor of love.This CD has grown on me (while Manx's other recordings were instant hits with me), and I like the variety and accessibilty. Thanks guys for sharing the magic!"

Some of the best acoustic music out there

Ryan White | Guelph, ON | 02/23/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"One word: Amazing. Harry Manx is arguably the most unique modern blues player, if not the best. His songwriting shows a great attention to detail and his playing is flawless. The addition of Kevin Breit elevates this recording to a whole new level. The two were born to play together. Their fits so well and the end result is a CD that is playful and adventurous."