Mandalyn
By Martine Ehrenclou
Wrecked by bombshell female vocalist, Mandalyn, is a sultry mix of breathtaking vocals and crying Strats wrapped in blues and R&B, produced by Tony TC Coleman (B.B. King’s drummer) who also plays drums on the EP. Wrecked was tracked at Coup de Ville Studio, Nashville, TN.
Beth Hart and Danielle Nicole will have to make room for this dynamic, soulful singer-songwriter who can blow the roof off any song, blues or otherwise. Three seconds into the title track “Wrecked” and I was hooked. Not just by Mandalyn’s powerhouse voice but also by the song. Sizzling guitar riffs slide into a powerful guitar solo (Bart Walker) with Frank Rey working some magic on keys and organ, and Brian Allen (bass) and TC Coleman (drums) locking it down. Killer song. Killer vocalist.
Mandalyn is something special—she’s going places and with the material on Wrecked, she’ll surely springboard to center spotlight for years to come. From Indiana, she was classically trained before performing at live venues in her late teens. Her background includes studio work, voice overs and frontwoman for a multi-genre band for 15 years. She decided to take a different approach with her music—enter her EP Wrecked.
Getting funky, “Baby On The Run” Madalyn leads the charge on this original song about desperation and a woman on the run, with a vocal slightly reminiscent of Wynonna Judd. With moody slide guitar riffs at her side, Mandalyn weaves a story about a woman scorned, someone you definitely don’t want to tangle with. Mandalyn knows how to wind her voice with emotion, digging deep, alongside some ripping slide guitar. Mid-song, the track shifts in musical tone to a bit of reggae and banjo.
Albert King covered the Alan Jackson Jr. tune “Feel Like Breaking Up Somebody’s Home,” and Mandalyn’s version has a similar groove with horns and tasty guitar licks. Her vocals are once again soulful, sultry, and full-bodied with sass and fire. It’s an up-tempo number with plenty of rhythm and hints of Albert King in the guitar solo. The band is super-tight.
Rounding out an EP with varied styles, is a cover “I Who Have Nothing” with mandolin and strings. Mandalyn tears it up on this ballad about heartbreak and betrayal. Soaring, emotional vocals showcase her badass vocal range.
Dam. When you hear a vocalist like this, what else can you say but “Bravo.”
Listen to “Wrecked”
Mandalyn Online
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