Hydra by Giovanni Mandala

“It’s Over” recounts love lost, when “all the glittering gold turns coldly into lies.” This theme continues with “Switchblade,” an up-tempo, hard-driving rock tune that chronicles the pain of deceit and the turning away from our emotional prisons. With “Stay,” a power rock ballad, we are touched by a mood that seeks to hold onto love, even though all hope is gone. “Hydra” is the CD’s title track, in which Mandala tells the story of his life and his own coming of age, through temptation and the relentless search for truth amidst the dark side. With “Courage,” the mood shifts. It opens with beautiful acoustic guitar, lamenting stories of loss in a poetic lyric that is met with a hard driving electric sound in the chorus section that reminds us of the inner resources of strength that can keep us moving forward, even against all odds. “Hunger Comes” is a swampy blues sound that calls our souls to find the nourishment we all crave. And this leads to “Fantasy,” which takes us on a hot and passionate journey through fire and grace, probing the depths of sexual fantasy and the nature of earthy delights. In “Inside Out,” where Bad Company meets the Moody Blues, Mandala brings us back to a darker mood, with heartfelt sadness when our best is not good enough. And this leads us to the final track, “One Last Breath,” a hard driving acoustic rock tune, that mixes a rap section with a counterpoint of street edginess that invites us to look deep within our soul, feeling alive in the essence of our being.

Mandala has been a professional musician for several decades. He has performed in night club venues such as the Roxy, the Pallidium, and the Whiskey. In 2001 he co-wrote and co-produced a CD titled Change in the Weather under the band name, "Chattie Kathy.” He has performed with the Von Ryan’s Express, Balance, 3-2 Look, and the Trish Perry Band. His new solo CD, Hydra, is the culmination of three years of writing, inspired by the beauty of Sonoma County and a life’s worth of complex, challenging, and ultimately transformational experiences. Giovanni will be performing at the Consciousness in Action Conference in Palm Springs in August, 2007.

Press Release

June 4, 2007

Contact Information:

Giovanni Mandala

www.GiovanniMandala.com

Average Customer Review: 5