Reviews/Opinions
MUSICIAN'S CORNER HOUSE CONCERTS - Newport, MN
“Bruce lit up the stage at our first outdoor concert by the lake! The 70+ people were treated to top notch vocals and fun storytelling. Bruce just sucked in the audience with his songs and stories of life. He was the perfect fit for an evening of outdoor music!” D. Matthews (host) August 2019
Two Rocks and a Hub Cap House Concerts - Cerrillos, NM
“Bruce Mandel is performing at Two Rocks and a Hubcap on Saturday, August 10, 2019. This is Bruce's 5th time at Two Rocks. We hope you can join us on what promises to be an excellent evening of music and camaraderie. Bruce's songs and stories are authentic and passionate. His melodies ease listeners into any slice of life he chooses to write about.” W. Young – (host) August 2019
PAT'S PLACE - Hot Springs, SD
“It was a pleasure to meet Bruce, visit with him, and to host him for a House Concert. His music is awesome, telling wonderful stories. Everyone was engaged and entertained. I would love to host Bruce again sometime.” P. DeSmet (host) July 2019
GREAT FALLS THEATRICS - Great Falls, VA
“Bruce is a wonderful performer. By that, I mean he’s the whole package – music, lyrics and great stories. His songs are very personal but they speak to universals in everyone. A charming house guest – we were lucky enough to have him with us early in the day of the concert so we got to spend quite a bit of time. He and my husband geeked out on sound for quite a while!” J. Roberts (host) July 2019
MUSIC ON THE HEIGHTS HOUSE CONCERTS - Broadlands, VA
“Bruce is the quintessential house concert performer! He brought 110% to the show, engaging the audience not only with his music, but with his conversation, before, during and after. His heartfelt lyrics resonated deeply with our audience. Bruce’s guitar and voice filled our home magnificently without the use of any sound equipment. On top of all that, he was a super house guest! Looking forward to the day we are able to host him again.” C. McCauley (host) September 2017
MOUNTAIN VISTA MUSIC HOUSE CONCERT - Moriarty, NM
“It was a beautiful night to play outside on the deck. Bruce engaged the audience in delightful ballads as the sun set on the Sandia Mountains. Humorous and entertaining.” K. Ziegler (host) August 2017
PRAIRIE VISTA HOUSE CONCERTS - Hudson, WI
“Bruce was a wonderful performer for our outdoor/prairie view concert. His songs are deeply personal and elicited many emotions (and questions!) from the audience. It was a pleasure getting to know Bruce and I hope to host him again someday.” M. Mose (host) July 2017
PINE STREET HOUSE HOUSE CONCERT - Yankton, SD
"Bruce's guitar playing was beyond reproach. What a great evening of songs, stories and a wonderful musician to host." M. Carlson (Host) August 2016
ZOAR HOUSE CONCERTS - Charlemont, MA
"We were delighted by Bruce. His voice, his charm, his ability to sing his stories with perfect diction was enchanting. All my guests asked to have him back again. He was a wonderful house guest, one I will be telling everyone I know about. Thank you Bruce, for such a terrific memory." B. Amidon (Host) May 2016
DREAMING SUMMIT PRIVATE CONCERT - Litchfield Park, AZ
"Bruce was such a great artist and really fit in with my audience. I appreciated his performance as well as his connection with my guests."
A. Georgopoulos (Host) June 2015
LITTLE COURTYARD HOUSE CONCERT - Mesa, AZ
"Bruce is a true professional and our audience loved him! His songwriting is amazing and I would encourage anyone to host this guy! It was a rainy evening in Arizona and Bruce gave us a fabulous experience." B. Brogan (Host) June 2015
ALAMOGORDO AREA HOUSE CONCERTS - Alamogordo, NM
"Bruce Mandel was warm, funny and technically proficient. I would have him back in a skinny minute. Great story teller with delightful audience communication."
S. Duenker / C. Powell (Hosts) June 2015
MUSIC ON THE MOUNTAIN HOUSE CONCERTS - Brackney, PA
"Bruce was wonderful and very well received by our audience. Great songwriter, wonderful lyricist, excellent guitar player with so many great songs. Bruce has it all. If you get the chance, book him." T. Chara (Host) May 2015
NOBLE HOUSE INN B&B CONCERT SERIES - Bridgton, ME
"Bruce has been the consummate professional throughout my having to change dates, to keeping in touch and confirming before the show, to putting on a fine show and having a great reception from the Noble House Inn audience: BRAVO!" C. Hooper (Host) May 2014
SUNDAY SUNSET SERIES HOUSE CONCERTS - Alstead, NH
"Bruce was great. His heart-felt music resonated - lyrically, musically and poetically. We had a smaller turn-out, but Bruce has the confident stage presence as if he were in front of any audience anywhere. Bruce was very organized with every aspect of his tour, and was a great person to hang with. He actually stayed at our place two nights, and am pleased to add him to my list of musician-friends." D. Bartlett (Host) May 2014
ABUNDANT HAVEN HOUSE CONCERTS - Hopkinton, MA
"We thoroughly enjoyed Bruce Mandel both as a person and as a performer. He was warm and friendly to his small audience and won our hearts with his dead-on characterization of my sister's sense of humor as "reptilian." When he spoke of sitting on a mountain top watching a meteor shower and making wishes, we urged him to write a song about it. Bruce was a great house guest, extroverted and sociable, and we highly recommend him." A. Henderson (Host) September 2013
ILLUMINATION HOUSE CONCERTS - Pittsburg, PA
"What a fabulous evening of beautiful high quality music shared with family and friends. A full capacity house of about 40 guests! How refreshing it was to have such an attentive audience and a sold out show! Thank you to our featured artist, Bruce Mandel and local opening band, Broken Fences! We are grateful to CIYH for providing a structure in which to guide our home concerts. Looking forward to future shows and the opportunity to host other talented artists as well." A. Russo (Host) June 2013
MERRIFIELD HOUSE CONCERT - Scipio Center, NY
"From the moment he arrived, Bruce Mandel was warm and personable, and clearly a true professional. It was great to get to know him as a person and a performer. His songs are beautifully written about everyday life, and he shares deeply and authentically from his heart. He really connects with an audience and loves what he does, and was a considerate, organized household and concert guest. We have heard nothing but enthusiastically positive comments from those who attended, and want him back!"
A. Miller (Host) March 2013
BETSY'S BACKYARD HOUSE CONCERT - Northfield, NJ
"Great night.....Bought a cd that John will love, then won a cd download from Bruce. That was the dessert, main course was Bruce's 2 sets! Being a huge Steve Goodman fan, just love songs that tell a story. As usual, another good night at Betsy’s that was great music to my ears! Glad I got to share the evening with my old high school friend Patty." Leah D. (attendee) March 2013
SWEET CINDY LOU WHO'S HOUSE CONCERT - Cuba, NY
"Bruce is genuinely one of the nicest people I have ever met, his lyrics & music echo his lovely spirit & life experiences, each song a story. My audience enjoyed his personality, treated them as individuals & as a group. He was awesome to communicate with and was a great help initiating my series - he was my first CIYH. There is not one negative thing I can say. Bruce is great - highly recommend!" C. Sweet (Host) June 2012
NORTHEASTERN DIGITAL RECORDING -
"Bruce Mandel has been in the studio twice this past year - the latest time to master his new album Sketches. It consists of very personal, retrospective material, matched with stellar guitar playing and beautiful vocals. The opening song "What Would I Say" begs the existential "what if" question and leads the listener into a unique personal journey through the remaining nine tracks on the album." Toby Mountain (mastering engineer) August 27, 2012
GREENHAVEN HOUSE CONCERT - Wycoff, NJ
"Hey Bruce, Gail and I had a Great time last night at the House Concert! We really enjoyed your music. Good food and company topped with an outstanding performance by you and it just doesn't get any better!" Randy V.R. (attendee) October 2010
GREENHAVEN HOUSE CONCERT - Wycoff, NJ
"Home from the concert and yes, pictures will be uploaded tomorrow. It was fabulous. Bruce's voice is so pure, his songs really touched my heart. So nice to listen to songs and feel like they were written just for you! He is an amazing artist. A great time was had by all!" Lori B. (attendee) October 2010
SINGER & MUSICIAN MAGAZINE ON "BETWEEN DREAMS AND REGRETS"
"Reminiscent of the singer/songwriters who penned the soundtrack of the 60's and 70's, Bruce Mandel brews up a coffeehouse sound that's espresso rich in inspiration and experience. While primarily an acoustic player, he's not married to that sound. As he demonstrates on this CD, there are times when a grinding electric bass line is essential. As a vocalist, Bruce comes across as smooth, comfortable and quite likable. As songwriter, he's a storyteller, willing to invest the five minutes or better it takes to complete each musical tale. Aptly named, Between Dreams and Regrets, is an enjoyable compilation of thoughts, memories and visions. The track we selected, "This Message" (featuring Bruce accompanied only by Adam Michael Rothberg on piano) spotlights Bruce's interesting writing style and effortless vocals." Robert Lindquist December 04, 2008
ADAM MICHAEL ROTHBERG - Musician, Songwriter, Producer
"What a beautiful collection of songs produced ever so gently with sweet harmonies, arrangements, and great playing. Reminds me of a cross between the folkier side of early (Glyn Johns /Bernie Leadon era) Eagles, with the crystal bell tones of Bruce's voice falling somewhere between Don Henley and Glenn Frey. These songs also harken back to great '70s folk music like Paul Simon's "Still Crazy", Jim Croce, or James Taylor's "Gorilla" album. Nice job Bruce!" on "Between Dreams and Regrets"
JIM AND PAMELA HOYT - "Between Dreams and Regrets" CDbaby.com Customer Review
"We have followed Bruce for a couple years now and love how well Bruce has combined listenability and storytelling. Each track delivers a distinct musical style (all Bruce\'s) and meaningful, warm lyrics. He is great with live acoustic sets but (surprisingly) just as good here with full instrumental backing. If you like 70\'s pop/folk like John Denver, Dan Fogelberg or Jackson Browne, you will love this album!"
MARK LEINUNG - "Between Dreams and Regrets" CDbaby.com Customer Review
"This is a wonderful blend of folk, bluegrass, and folk-rock music. There\'s a touch of James Taylor, Dan Fogelberg, maybe a little Jim Croce. But the overall sound is unique and personal. A real pleasure to listen to!"
MICHAEL LASKOW - President of TAXI, Los Angeles, CA on "Follow Your Heart"
"Bruce has really mastered the art of melding folk and pop. This is a thoroughly enjoyable CD."
GREG DORSCHEL - Independent Songplugger, Nashville, TN
"Satisfying combination of personal reflection & true songwriting craft." on "Follow Your Heart"
BETH WARREN - Development Director, KSUT Public Radio
"After years of hosting this talented singer-songwriter live on the air, we are thrilled and proud of his CD. The songs are pure Bruce Mandel: honest, well-written, terrific pieces of music."on "Follow Your Heart"
SIMPLY SIMONE - KIQX-FM
"Siskel & Ebert would definitely give "Follow Your Heart" two thumbs up."
PATTY - "Follow Your Heart" CDbaby Customer Review
"I love the lyrics in this CD. The stories tug at your heart and the music brings it all home."
MARK - "Follow Your Heart" CDbaby Customer Review
"This album provides an easy and soulful sound. Bruce\'s music evokes nostalgia, honesty and sincerity."