Rootstime Radio, Belgium
By Freddy Celis
You can write songs but apparently you can also learn and perfect the craft in a music school such as Humber College where Peter Mandic formalized his training. Apart from that, this singer / songwriter has an innate talent for this art, because his lyrical pen and sensitive voice is what brings his third CD of thirteen songs together packed with charm. George Douglas, who plays mandolin and is one of the three band members, brings a fine key to the songs. The band was started one year ago and prior to that Peter Mandic tested his songs in and around Toronto area. Born in Sydney, Australia, Peter ended up as a teenager in Canada's Ontario, where for the past ten years perfected his songwriting with his guitar which he has played since his teens. His songwriting inspirations come from observation, small and large miseries, political and prison conditions or social scourges, including drug abuse and also songs about undying love. He sings it all with a narrative voice. The three Ontario band mates George Douglas, bassist Paul McKeracher and Bruce Walton who plays harmonica and percussion contribute to this straightforward album which combines simplicity with layering. Peter's lyrics are full of sadness and pity for the failings of the human endeavour. The slow rhythm and Peter's drawling voice lend itself perfectly to this mix of folk / country singer-songwriter stuff at the edge of the shadows. In the song 'Fred' which is about country singer Fred J. Eaglesmith he tells the story of what some don't like about him but puts the spotlight on why he is paying him tribute. Peter packed all of this in a succession of sad songs. You hear a vague echo of a Bob Dylan, Neil Young and Eric Andersen, especially in the melancholy shrouded 'Razor Wire', written together with then imprisoned writer and jail breaker Wayne Carlson, who served 44 years in prison. The melancholy mandolin fits well with his desire for freedom and the weariness of imprisonment. It is clear that Peter Mandic is very close to the subject of his songs. When the Peter Mandic Band plays live they usually pack the room with no doubts that they will build a loyal audience. Who wouldn't want to experience their live show as when they sold out Oakville's Moonshine Café or to be at the Treehouse Studio when they recorded their thirteen songs…atmosphere assured.
By Freddy Celis
You can write songs but apparently you can also learn and perfect the craft in a music school such as Humber College where Peter Mandic formalized his training. Apart from that, this singer / songwriter has an innate talent for this art, because his lyrical pen and sensitive voice is what brings his third CD of thirteen songs together packed with charm. George Douglas, who plays mandolin and is one of the three band members, brings a fine key to the songs. The band was started one year ago and prior to that Peter Mandic tested his songs in and around Toronto area. Born in Sydney, Australia, Peter ended up as a teenager in Canada's Ontario, where for the past ten years perfected his songwriting with his guitar which he has played since his teens. His songwriting inspirations come from observation, small and large miseries, political and prison conditions or social scourges, including drug abuse and also songs about undying love. He sings it all with a narrative voice. The three Ontario band mates George Douglas, bassist Paul McKeracher and Bruce Walton who plays harmonica and percussion contribute to this straightforward album which combines simplicity with layering. Peter's lyrics are full of sadness and pity for the failings of the human endeavour. The slow rhythm and Peter's drawling voice lend itself perfectly to this mix of folk / country singer-songwriter stuff at the edge of the shadows. In the song 'Fred' which is about country singer Fred J. Eaglesmith he tells the story of what some don't like about him but puts the spotlight on why he is paying him tribute. Peter packed all of this in a succession of sad songs. You hear a vague echo of a Bob Dylan, Neil Young and Eric Andersen, especially in the melancholy shrouded 'Razor Wire', written together with then imprisoned writer and jail breaker Wayne Carlson, who served 44 years in prison. The melancholy mandolin fits well with his desire for freedom and the weariness of imprisonment. It is clear that Peter Mandic is very close to the subject of his songs. When the Peter Mandic Band plays live they usually pack the room with no doubts that they will build a loyal audience. Who wouldn't want to experience their live show as when they sold out Oakville's Moonshine Café or to be at the Treehouse Studio when they recorded their thirteen songs…atmosphere assured.
