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Classic Vinyl
MANDALA!! ONE OF TORONTO'S FINEST
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Mandala Classics Album
Mandala Photo
Mandala Soul Crusade Album
One of the Hottest bands in the Toronto R&B scene in the '60's were the MANDALA---led by Domenic Troiano/guitar, Josef Chirowski/keyboards, Don Elliot/bass,George Olliver/vocals and Whitey Glan/drummer.
The Mandala played a blistering soul, funk, R&B, psychedelic rock, delivered with an aggressive attack. Their sets consisted of strobe lights, matching suits, and lots of crowd participation similar to a revival.
The band played in the Toronto area, US and gigs in Los Angeles and New York---in '66 they signed with KR Records and released their first single "Opportunity" at Chess Studios in Chicago. The tune became a top-ten hit in Canada followed by "Give and Take" in May of '67. George Olliver left the band in mid May and Josef Chirowski followed (he went on to join Alice Cooper) and also appeared on several Peter Gabriel albums. Roy Kenner a friend of Domenic Troiano took over the vocals and Henry Babraj took over the keyboard duties for a short time then replaced by Hugh Sullivan. This is the line-up that would be on the Soul Crusade album in 1968---all songs (but Love-Itis) were written and produced by Troiano.
The song Love-Itis received some band airplay in the States---then Don Elliot made his exit, then frequent personal shifts and lack of creativity damaged the band's momentum---they played a handful of dates in 1969 then decided to call it quits---they played their last performance at the Hawk's Nest in Toronto.
Following the breakup of Mandala, members others musical adventures were Whitey Glan played drums for Lou Reed, then drums for Alice Cooper with Chirowski---Hugh Sullivan worked with John Kay (Steppenwolf) before passing away in 1978---Kenner and Troiano joined James Gang in '72 and other various musical projects through the 80's Troiano also joined The Guess Who for 2 records in the mid 70's---Domenic Troiano passed away in 2005 with cancer and George Olliver continues to perform in the Toronto area, a local R&B hero---Be sure to check out their Classics album, a collection of singles and album tracks and Soul Crusade has been reissued in the CD format.
MANDALA---possibly one of Toronto area's finest, most innovative, ground-breaking groups of the 60's
This week's youtubes from this great Canadian Band The Mandala : a 1966 clip from W5 (Who, What, Where) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ubb6wlUdLk8&feat...ure=related "Give a Little Take A Little" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ny7T4u8OhgM "Opportunity" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnM49XK8bBo&feat...ure=related Their HUGE HIT "Love-Itis" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihcAFwdt0R0&feat...ure=related "Can't Hold Out" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNNTL2NsRgU&feat...ure=related
Help Preserve Canadian Music, log onto http://www.mouseholemusic.com/OttawaBands.htm and you will find an amazing selection of Canadian music for sell on cd's and some waiting to be re released
Hope you enjoyed this weeks column and see you in 2 weeks---contact me at bluesslider88@yahoo.ca <bluesslider88@yahoo.ca" title="Go to http://ca.mc1126.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=bluesslider88@yahoo.ca" target="_blank">http://ca.mc1126.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=bluesslider88@yahoo.ca>> or at cktimes with any comments you would like to make about classic vinyl
Allan Day----long time acquaintance of John Gardiner----I presently live in Goderich Ontario, retired (oh yeah) and live for the sound of music, especially from the 60's music explosion---I hope you enjoy some of my articles and they bring back some lost memories of bands gone by. Now I have to let you know that I am a HUGE Rolling Stones fan, collector, historian and I hope to hear any stories you might have on this GREAT Band from the 60's----email me at CK Times and let me know what you have or memories you have of this group. I will include stories and short stories on The Stones each week.
