WE ARE CURRENTLY SELLING OUR LIVE BATH BOOTLEG TRACKS. THESE WERE VIDEOD BY ANDY COTTLE AND THEN REMIXED BY ASH MANDRAKE. THE RESULT IS SURPRISINGLY GOOD. HAVE A LISTEN AND PLEASE BUY ONE OR TWO.
Band Members from left to right:
Daniel Ebl: Bass, guitar and vocals – He heads the German Folk Rock band "In Search of A Rose". Having played more than 600 concerts in Europe, they are one of the most popular bands in their genre.
http://www.myspace.com/insearchofarose
Cath The Piccolist: Cath has her roots in a classical training, and frequently plays as a soloist with ensembles in and around Bath. She studied Music at Bath Spa University, specialising in Performance and Composition. Her main instruments are flute/piccolo and piano. Her explorative diversification into the realms of folk, rock and jazz has found a welcoming home with The Mandrake Project.
http://www.myspace.com/catherinehurley
Ash Mandrake: The founder member of The Mandrake Project and The Bard of Bath. Known in Bath and Bristol for his solo work with loop machines, an array of leather hats and costumes, His 10 string guitar, his 4 octave vocal range and The Bath Squash and Pumpkin Project
http://www.myspace.com/ashmandrakeproject
The Amazing Amadou: Amaou was born, and lived most of his life, in Senegal He played various drums with The Senegal National Band, and has accompanied many well known musicians from a comprehensive range of genres.
We are occasionally joined
by Alan Burton. The Demon
Euillean Piper
he plays on the song
Rolling Down Hill To The Bright
Summer Sun
http://www.myspace.com/hideousrhesus
We have been joined
by Paul Sax from The Huckleberries
on violin. Although it's been a
while. He's very busy with his band
http://www.myspace.com/thehuckleberries
All of the above: Copyright Ed Elias
BATH FRINGE
Quality, Variety, Innovation and Entertainment
4th June: Back to Mines’: Billed as Ash and Amadou; But also an opportunity to see the talent behind The Mandrake Project Core of Four. (Cath and Ash, Daniel and Amadou)
6th June: The Porter Cellar Bar: Quality, Variety, Innovation and Entertainment.
The Mandrake Project brings you the Bigger Picture. The Core of four are joined by Paul Sax from The Huckleberries and other guests to bring you story telling, comedy and performance poetry; but most of all, the magical musical fusion that will take you by storm: medieval, african, eastern European, classical, folk/rock jazz all delivered with the theatrical mirth that has made this act a favourite.
Story Telling at The Ring of Beeches Wed 30th May 1pm till 2pm This event was part of The Bath Fringe Festival. Did you ever wonder where the expression "Ah!... That Old Chestnut" really came from. Do you know the real reason the Romans managed to take over Bath from the Celts?" Join Ash Mandrake (The Bard of Bath) and The Mandrake Project at the Ring of Beeches to find out. With special guest appearances from the accomplished story tellers, Richard Selby (richardg.selby@virgin.net) and Rodger Wiltshire (driftsnowbarger@hotmail.co.uk).
BAND MEMBERS
Ash Mandrake (The Bard of Bath) : Vocals, 10 string guitar, 6 string guitar
The Amazing Amadou: Vocals, Jembe
Cath The Piccolist: Flute and Piccolo
Daniel Ebl: Vocals, Bass, Guitar, Mandolin
Frequent contributions:
Alan Barton: Euillian Pipes (Irish Pipes)
Paul Sax: Violin
Occasional contributions
Niel Gay: Eukaleili
Rob Spalding: Vocals, clarinette
Eleanor: clarinette, theatrics.
Influences
Daniel Ebl: Waterboys Luka Bloom Thin Lizzy Pogues
Cath The Piccolist: classical: Avro Part Prokofiev Debussy Ravel Purcell Folk: Flook Eliza Carthy Martha Tilston Micheal Mcgoldrick also Nina Simone Nick Drake Simple Kid Arcade Fire bjork
Ash Mandrake:
VOCALISTS: Enrike Caruso , Tim Buckley, Freddy Mercury, Tom Waits, Arethra Franklin, Joni Mitchell, Tina Turner, Boni Tyler.
GUITARISTS: Jimmy Hendrix, Brian May (Local Musicians: Neil Gay (attack and expressive qualities) Rob Sharples (fascination).
MUSICIANSHIP: Rush, Frank Zappa.
ATMOSPHERES: Tom Waits, Pink Floyd, Kula Shaker (Govinda), David Bowie, Nick Drake, John Martin, Kate Bush, Peter Gabriel, Seal, Moby, Coctoau Twins, Bjork.
LYRICISTS: Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen.
CLASSICAL: Shostakovich, Carl Orf, Mozart, Debusy.
OTHER GENRES: Zulu Tribal, Black Mombassa; Spanish; Gypsy Kings; Eastern European; Medieval, Gregorian Chants; Indian, Ravi Shankar.
Sounds Like
We need help with this. Can you tell us.
In the mean time we'll fill this space with photographs.
"...tight, well crafted, virtuosic and beautiful... Largely the music spoke for itself and was both fascinating and emotionally rewarding" (Fabulous Furry Folk, Glastonbury)
The Mandrake Project play The Eldon House
Sundays were made for Emma’s lovely roast dinners.
Make a day of it and let us bring you a piece of sunshine.
FUNSHINE at The Cheltenham Big Easter Gathering:
Amadou’s song "Aduna"
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The Twilight EP: Reviews and Additional Information
STRANGE STARS
“…Acoustic Folk and World Music are here tastefully juxtaposed rather than fused. Beautiful poetry - wisdom. Stream of consciousness, powerful rhythmical mid section and thought provoking imagery.”
The twilight connection is in the English lyrics: Inspired by experiences of living on the other side of the globe and the concept of travelling to these places through the minds of others while they dream. Also the concepts of healing and following one’s own path. In the mid-section Amadou sings in Wolof from a place of primeval urges.
THANKS TO AGENT ‘O’
“Acoustic western folk and traditional African styles. There is enormous dynamic range in the semi-operatic vocal of Ash Mandrake. Amadou’s mid-section is other worldly and dream like. Cath’s extended flute techniques are inspired and masterful…”
Agent ’O’ is the psudonym used by one of Ash’s friends (Oksana Corazon), who in a time of need suggested a trip to the woods. It’s about finding peace of mind through times of adversity. It was written, not as a response to, but as a means of overcoming the effects of an act of calousness. The English lyrics call upon the curative power of nature, friendship and fun as a means of finding positive ways forward. Amadou sings in Wolof of leaving the past behind and focussing on the future.
MOTHER
“Acoustic African/Gypsy/30s: Sung in the Senegalese language Wolof, Amadou sings from the guts with heart felt compassion and tenderness. Cath Hurley on flute and Ash Mandrake on Guitar build a genre of gypsy, NY 30s cafe and bushweld campfire…”
This is Amadou’s song to his departed mother. It tells of the consoling of the living and visitations from dead ancestors. The picture is of a bauobab tree which is used as a buriel chamber for West African Griots (A Griot is a West African Bard). During the recording of this song, members of the band were moved to tears on several occasions.
The artwork above, is in keeping with that of our new E.P.; but in the interest of pure unabated indulgence, we present for you here the opportunity to view two more videos through your very own victorio-emporio-spectacles. "Emporium", I am informed by the Oxford Dictionary, is a centre of commerce, and the one in The Mission Theatre is certainly a hive of thriving activity; but to me "Emporium" conjours up visions of victorian stonework, ornately decorated with swirly motifs and things - So have a bit of this...
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The creative machine of The Mandrake Project is constantly active. The lyrical songs are written by Ash Mandrake and Amadou Diege in the ratio of about 2 to 1. The music is then worked by the Cath, Daniel, Amadou and Ash together. 9 songs (from our live album: The Bath Bootlegs are presented below (more details to follow)
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A review of one of our gigs: 29th January The Fabulous Furry Folk Club at Glastonbury Assembly Rooms
The Mandrake Project went on at about 10.45 p.m. after a brief Bardic introduction from Tim and the now familiar summoning of the Awen from ’mild mannered janitor’ Bryan. The set they delivered was tight, well crafted, virtuosic and beautiful. The line-up consisted of former Bard of Bath Ash Mandrake on semi-operatic vocals and guitar, masterful flute from classically trained flautist Cath, seasoned pro Daniel Ebl on electric bass, and fine djembe and percussion from Amadou, who also sang beautifully in Senegalese in a voice reminiscent of Youssou N’Dour or Baba Maal. There was surprisingly little silliness, but quite a few hat changes...! Largely the music spoke for itself and was both fascinating and emotionally rewarding.Well done Ash and co, you did us proud!
Ash, what a memorable night Friday was. You were and are great. Love your modesty, its quite refreshing. Good luck, and don't give up cause you WILL get there. CathyX
REHEARSAL ROOM AVAILABLE TONIGHT & TOMORROW NIGHT!! Any bands looking for a rehearsal tonight or tomorrow night I have a room available. Barking Dog Studios is situated in North Bristol.
Price is £25 for 3 hours (includes use of p.a. and drum kit)
If you would like to Book call me on 07970 719252.
your site is wonderfull, looking the bees knees. Love the Eldon house and will try to come and enjoy your kaleidoscope of storys and melodys.Respect Thomx
hi Guys, thanks for the connection! As you can see we are doing something different in Cheltenham. I hope you and your friends can make it here some time soon you will be very welcome at Xposed Club. Our next event all the way from New York is the fantastic Ravish Momin and his 'Trio Tarana' Friday 11th April 8pm. XC
