TONY HILLIER writes about the return of the "mysticssippi" man.

Harry Manx has been described as an essential link between the music of East and West.

The Isle of Man-born Canadian creates songs that wed the earthy tradition of the blues with the spiritual depth of Indian ragas – "mysticssippi", to quote the artist’s own spot-on parlance.

Primarily performing lap slide guitar, but also on banjo and most uniquely a 20-string guitar/sitar hybrid known as mohan vina, this hypnotic singer has become a fixture on the international concert circuit in recent years.

Australian audiences, in particular, have taken a shine to him.

"Crowds are invariably supportive and very responsive here. I’ve even had some wickedly good hecklers," he laughs.

Manx is currently on his second tour of the country this year, a 40-date odyssey that takes in the Tanks Arts Centre.

The singer was a big hit with punters there two years ago, his laidback style proving a perfect match for the church-like ambience of Cairns’ most atmospheric venue.

There’s a palpable serenity about his playing and stage presence. "I’ve been a meditator since I was a teenager – it’s the only thing that’s consistent in my life," he explains.

Manx also spent many years in India playing for meditators.

"It was part of my apprenticeship. I learned something about drawing the listener into the music, taking them out of their mind for a moment’s rest.

"I still try to make that happen every show," he asserts.

Manx says he learned the art of focused learning from master Indian instrumentalist VM Bhatt.

"He taught me that you have to give it all to every note you play."

Apart from his own spiritually charged songs, Manx enjoys revamping well-thumbed covers.

Van Morrison’s Crazy Love, Muddy Waters, Can’t Be Satisfied, JJ Cale’s Tijuana and Robbie Robertson’s It Makes No Difference all figure in his repertoire.

"I never try to play them
like they were originally done," he claims.

"I need to do it in my own fashion, my own groove.

"I hear most tunes as blues of one kind or another anyways, even the Indian ragas."

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