- Joey Bishop -- guitar (1971)

- Don Cody -- bass (1971)

- Dove Cook -- keyboards (1971)

- Russell Dashiel -- vocals, guitar. keyboards

- Bobby Davis -- drums (1971)

- Freddie Fox -- vocals (1971)

- Eddie Hoh -- drums

- Phil Johnson -- drums (1971)

- Rusty Jones -- drums (1971)

- Ira Kart -- keyboards (1971)

- Ken Little -- vocals, bass (1971)

- Harvey Mandel -- lead guitar

- Peter Millo -- drums (1971)

- Craig Rasband -- drums (1971)

- Judy Roberts -- keyboards (1971)

- G.E. Stinson -- rhythm guitar (1971)

- Larry Taylor -- bass

- Nick Tountas -- bass (1971)

- Norman Wagner -- guitar (1971)

 

- Canned Heat (Harvey Mandel)

- John Mayall

- Pure Food and Drug Act (Harvey Mandel)

Genre: blues-rock

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Games Guitars Play

Company: Philips

Catalog: PHS 600-325

Year: 1969

Country/State:

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG

Comments: minor ring wear

Available: SOLD

GEMM Catalog ID: SOLD

Price: SOLD

Like his first two solo albums, 1969's "Games Guitars Play" found Harvey Mandel pursuing a largely blues-rock agenda.  Unlike earlier releases, the third LP wasn't an all-instrumental affair.  Backed by singer/multi-instrumentalist Russell Dashiel, the decision to go with a more 'commercial' approach proved a mixed blessing.  Dashiel's vocals made the set far more diverse than earlier releases.  Unfortunately, he wasn't the most appealing vocalist.  A capable, but largely anonymous singer, Dashiel sounded more comfortable handling the set's more pop oriented efforts (a cover of Joe South's 'Dry Your Eyes'), whereas the blues-rock stuff just didn't seem to suit him.  In contrast, at least to my ears, Mandel's guitar remained the prime selling point - check out his performances on 'Ridin' High' and the funky 'Capurange'.  Certainly a mixed success, but worth tracking down ...

"Games Guitars Play" track listing:

(side 1)

1.) Leavin' Truck   (Sleepy John Estes) - 6:26

2.) Honky Tonk (instrumental)   (B. Doggett - S. Shepard - C. Scot - B. Butler) - 3:32

3.) I Don't Need No Doctor   (Nicholas Ashford - Valerie Simpson - J. Armstead) 3:45

4.) Dry Your Eyes   (Russell Dashell) - 3:03

(side 1)

1.) Ridin' High (instrumental)   (Harvey Mandel - Russell Dashiel)  - 2:45

2.) Capurange (instrumental) - 6:40

3.) Senor Blues (instrumental)   (Horace Silver) - 

4.) Games People Play (instrumental)   (Joe South) - 4:45

Genre: blues-rock

Rating: ** (2 stars)

Title:  Get Off In Chicago

Company: Ovation

Catalog: OVQD/1415

Year: 1971

Country/State:

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG

Comments: gatefold sleeve; quad compatible pressing; white lable promotion copy

Available: 1

GEMM Catalog ID: 4894

Price: $9.00

Released by Dick Schory's Ovation label (London Records released it in the UK), 1971's "Get Back To Chicago" marked Mandel's first stab at self-production.  Recorded during a break between tours supporting John Mayall, the album was actually intended as somewhat of a concept piece.  To lift a quote right from the liner notes: "He decided to cut an album in Chicago with Chicago musicians.  The album would be written and composed spontaneously in the recording studio."  Well guess what?  That's exactly what you get on this album ...  a collection of Chicago blues numbers with a couple of jazzy interludes thrown in for good measure ('Local Days').  It's all quite earnest and professional and occasionally actually generates a little bit of steam (the instrumental 'Sweet Lynda'), but simply doesn't do too much for my ears.

"Get Off In Chicago" track listing:

(side 1)

1.) Jelly Roll   (Harvey Mandel - Ira Kart - Freddie Fox - Vickie Hubly) - 3:52

2.) High Test Fish Line   (Norm Wagner - Ken Little - Ira Kart - Thomas Russ) - 5:19

3.) Local Days   (Nick Tountas) - 3:34

4.) Check Me Out   (Harvey Mandel - Freddie Fox) - 3:46

5.) Highway Blues   (Harvey Mandel - Dave Cook - Don Cody - G.E. Stinson - Freddie Fox) - 3:09

(side 2)

1.) I'm a Lonely Man   (Dave Cook) - 6:26

2.) Sweet Lynda   (Harvey Mandel) - 3:06

3.) Springfield Station Theme   (Norm Wagner - Ken Little) - 6:28

4.) Race Track Daddy   (Harvey Mandel) - 5:52