Thanks a lot
nickw for confirming my story, which I must admit is almost unbelievable. I sure hope you're not angry at me for revealing it in advance.
Even though the "famous" Dom Troiano never tried to take credit for the work John did on the Mandala album, people nonetheless will assume it's the same guy, and I wanted to put the story right.
I had never heard "Soul Crusade" before John sent me a CD copy some months ago - in fact he hadn't told many people about this at all. (I almost had to pull the story out of him). But he really deserves some recognition for his great work with Mandala, both as a guitarist, songwriter and arranger/ producer, especially at his very young age.
Many of us who played Telecasters in a rock band in the '60s, know how great a Tele sounds distorted, and John's Tele can be heard all the way through the album, even if he only plays one actual solo. (On the bluesy "Come On Home"). But his licks and fills are very tasty, like a distorted Steve Cropper.