Record Reviews

CHRIS FARLOWE ~ GLORY BOUND MIG 00812 (Barcode: 885513008121) ~ UK ~ Blues-Rock Recorded: 2000 Released: 2013 This is a reissue of an excellent album by British Blues-Rock vocalist Chris FarloweFind albums by this artist, who is accompanied by a great band led by guitarist Norman BeakerFind albums by this artist and which also includes keyboardist Dave BaldwinFind albums by this artist, bassist John PriceFind albums by this artist and drummer Paul BurgesFind albums by this artist. A brass section, a string quartet and a few guest musicians also participate. The original album presents twelve songs, a mixture of Rhythm And Blues / Blues-Rock standards and some original new songs including the title song written especially for Chris by the legendary Mike d`AboFind albums by this artist. Ricky ByrdFind albums by this artist, who played on the album which preceded this one, ("The VoiceFind albums with this title") also contributed one new song. This edition adds two bonus tracks. Farlowe is in top form on this album and the material suits his vocal sensitivities perfectly, which results in an ideal match, emphasizing his long-lasting powers as a vocalist. The album does not reveal anything the Farlowe fans had not heard before, but it certainly provides more of the heartfelt vocals, which have very few competitors anywhere. With a great support from all the instrumentalists on this album Farlowe manages to create one more important addition to his discography and one more memory of the long and wonderful career. This is obviously a must have for the numerous Farlowe fans, who perhaps somehow missed the original release with a possibility to complete the collection now. Those who are discovering Farlowe only now (better late than never) this is excellent, honest, direct and highly aesthetic music, which should not be forgotten. As our generation leaves this world, more and more rapidly, music like this one becomes even more important, hopefully making a mark for the future generations.

Updated: 08/05/2023Posted: 26/06/2016

CD 1 Digipak Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

MANFRED MANN ~ DOWN THE ROAD APIECE: THEIR EMI RECORDINGS 1963-1966 EMI 094639721528 (Barcode: 094639721528) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1963 - 1966 Released: 2007 This wonderful Box Set compiles all the recordings Manfred MannFind albums by this artist made for the EMIFind albums on this label label, documenting the first chapter of their illustrious career. The music covers everything from the first demo session they did as a group till the very last recordings done before the first lineup folded with the departure of their lead singer Paul JonesFind albums by this artist. The group would then continue with a new lead singer (Mike d`AboFind albums by this artist) and a new label (FontanaFind albums on this label), but that is another story. What is fascinating about this Box Set is the fact that is shows not only the historical development of one of the most important UK groups, but in fact the entire history of the early to mid 1960s UK music scene. It clearly shows the main influences that went into the incredible music of the Golden Era – Jazz, Blues, Rhythm And Blues and Rock And Roll. Most of the tracks include the stable lineup of the group, which includes the founding members Manfred MannFind albums by this artist (piano and organ), Mike HuggFind albums by this artist (drums and vibraphone), Mike VickersFind albums by this artist (guitar, saxophone and flute), Tom McGuinnessFind albums by this artist (bass) and Paul Jones (harmonica and vocals). Mann, Hugg and Vickers came from a solid jazz background, which is very evident throughout all their music and would eventually lead to the switch to Jazz-Rock Fusion in the late 1960s (Manfred Mann Chapter ThreeFind albums by this artist). The other members, especially Jones, had a solid Blues background. The result was a unique blend of Blues-Rock, which rather then featuring guitar as the lead instrument (as did most of the groups at the time) had the sax / flute / piano up-front. Jones was of course one of the most potent singers of the era, a serious competitor even to Mick JaggerFind albums by this artist. This was also the reason why the group recorded so many instrumental tracks, which were as important in their repertoire as the songs. Although the group managed to score quite a few major hits on the charts, it seems that they never made music, which was particularly ‘likeable” on purpose and their success was manly due to their talents rather than pursuit of popularity. There is so much great music on these CDs that I hardly feel a need to convince anybody to get them. This is a first class document of the music scene at the most interesting formative period and listening to it is not only a most pleasurable experience but also a fascinating course in music history. A must!

Updated: 08/05/2023Posted:

CD 4 Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend

MANFRED MANN ~ ORIGINAL ALBUM SERIES PARLOPHONE 825646285297 (Barcode: 825646285297) ~ UK ~ Classic Pop Recorded: 1963 - 1966 Released: 2014 This Box Set collects the four UK albums recorded by the first version of the British Pop group Manfred MannFind albums by this artist, released originally on the HMVFind albums on this label label, and the first solo album by their vocalist Paul JonesFind albums by this artist, and includes material recorded between 1963 and 1966, a period spanning just over three years. The original members of the group were: keyboardist / vibraphonist Manfred Mann, drummer Mike HuggFind albums by this artist, guitarist / saxophonist / flautist Mike VickersFind albums by this artist (all of them coming from a Jazz background), bassist Dave RichmondFind albums by this artist, soon to be replaced by Tom McGuinnessFind albums by this artist and vocalist / harmonica player Paul Jones. By autumn 1965 Vickers left, McGuinness moved to guitar and the band was joined by Jack BruceFind albums by this artist on bass, Henry LowtherFind albums by this artist on trumpet and Lyn DobsonFind albums by this artist on saxophone, all three being prominent members of the new generation of British Jazz players. Listening to these four albums (the Jones´ album is of secondary importance) clearly illustrates not only their many qualities but also their rapid progress from early American influenced Rhythm And Blues and Rock And Roll to their own individual style, which embraced sophisticated chord changes, complex rhythms, a tendency towards Jazz improvisation and a love of instrumental compositions, combined with exquisite sense of melody. In order to fully appreciate the group´s incredible journey it is recommended to get a copy of the incredible Manfred Mann anthology "Down The Road Apiece: Their EMI Recordings 1963-1966Find albums with this title", which includes absolutely everything they recorded during those early years. Of course also the second part of their output, released on the FontanaFind albums on this label label, which finds the band fronted by their second vocalist Mike d`AboFind albums by this artist, is equally fascinating and worth investigating. As I have been saying for decades, it is painfully obvious, especially now in retrospect that Manfred Mann were one of several British groups infinitely better musically than The BeatlesFind albums by this artist; a statement I have been bitterly criticized for, but which I am ready to repeat any time. This music simply proves my point to anybody who is willing to listen with an open mind. Wholeheartedly recommended! Side Note The "Original Album SeriesFind albums with this title" by Warner Bros.Find albums on this label, the "Original Album ClassicsFind albums with this title" by SonyFind albums on this label, the "5 Original AlbumsFind albums with this title" by UniversalFind albums on this label, the Box Sets by RhinoFind albums on this label and other similar releases are an archetypal example of how good intentions turn sour. Although these new editions often bring back to life some of the best music ever made on this planet, which in many cases has been lost in the tides of time and was unavailable on the market for ages, they suffer from an unforgivable disregard for the essence of cultural values and general sloppiness, contrary to human decency, which requires as to treat our Cultural Legacy with respect and loyalty. The Box Sets produced under these monikers have no discographical information whatsoever about the lineups, musician names, composers, lyricists, dates and places of recording, original release data and even basic copyright data (the last is strictly illegal BTW). Although the original LP sleeves are reproduced, they are often edited and information (which would be in most cases too small to be readable) is removed. Most importantly these Box Sets don't include any booklet offering a historical background and perspective about the Artists and the Music, which are extremely important and vital to the preservation of our Culture and passing the knowledge to the next generations. In short the fact that these Box Sets are meant to be inexpensive, does not mean that they have to be cheap. Considering the fact how many times this music has been sold over and over again by the labels, this is a crying shame!

Updated: 08/05/2023Posted:

CD 5 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend

MANFRED MANN ~ RADIO DAYS VOL. 1: THE PAUL JONES ERA EAST CENTRAL ONE 1 (Barcode: 5060051334467) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1964 - 1966 Released: 2019 This is the first volume of an archive series collecting the BBC radio recordings by the various groups led by British keyboardist / composer / bandleader Manfred MannFind albums by this artist. This volume, recorded between 1964 and 1966 includes the recordings by the quintet lineup of Manfred Mann (the group not to be confused with the leader), which consisted of Mann on keyboards, Mike VickersFind albums by this artist on guitar, saxophone and flute, Tom McGuinnessFind albums by this artist on bass, Mike HuggFind albums by this artist on drums and vibraphone and finally the lead singer Paul JonesFind albums by this artist, who also played harmonica. The second CD of the 2CD set features the second lineup of the group formed when Vickers left and McGuinness switched to guitar, which includes the legendary bass player Jack BruceFind albums by this artist and two Jazz players: trumpeter Henry LowtherFind albums by this artist and saxophonist Lyn DobsonFind albums by this artist, which obviously has a much more Jazz oriented sound and is a rare example of the early (1966!) British Jazz-Rock Fusion. The album presents forty one tracks, which include songs, original announcements and interviews, altogether a superb historical glance at British Pop / Rock at its best. When Paul Jones decided to leave Manfred Mann to pursue a solo career, he was replaced by Mike d`AboFind albums by this artist, who is the hero of the next volume of this series. In contrast to most British Pop / Rock groups at the time, Manfred Mann had a very strong Jazz / Blues background and outstanding instrumental competence, which was clearly heard in everything they played. To a trained ear it was pretty obvious that the group would rather play a more Jazz oriented material, which the constraints of the Pop idiom did not allow them to do at the time, but they did record many instrumental pieces (included here) which were bona fide Jazz material. With the explosion of the Progressive Rock a few years later, it was no surprise that Manfred Mann would follow that way full-heartedly. The music included here is a fabulous proof that they don´t make music like this any more. The melodies, the playing and the superb BBC sound are all exactly right on the money and the joy of listening to this music goes way beyond a nostalgic glimpse at the past. Overall this is an absolute must for all Manfred Mann fans and connoisseurs of British Pop / Rock of the mid-1960s period and a stunning historical document of the period, which should not be missed! The music was compiled by Greg RussoFind albums by this artist, who also wrote the informative booklet accompanying this album – great job mate!

Updated: 26/08/2020Posted: 08/07/2019

CD 2 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

MANFRED MANN ~ RADIO DAYS VOL. 2: THE MIKE D`ABO ERA EAST CENTRAL ONE 2 (Barcode: 5060051334474) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1966 - 1969 Released: 2019 This is the second volume of an archive series collecting the BBC radio recordings by the various groups led by British keyboardist / composer / bandleader Manfred MannFind albums by this artist. This volume, recorded between 1966 and 1969 includes the recordings by the quintet lineup of Manfred Mann (the group not to be confused with the leader), which consisted of Mann on keyboards, Tom McGuinnessFind albums by this artist on guitar, Klaus VoormanFind albums by this artist on bass, Mike HuggFind albums by this artist on drums and vibraphone and finally the lead singer Mike d`AboFind albums by this artist. The album presents forty five tracks, which include songs, original announcements and interviews, altogether a superb historical glance at British Pop / Rock at its best. By early 1969 the group Manfred Mann fell apart and Mann and Hugg continued with the newly founded Manfred Mann Chapter ThreeFind albums by this artist, which is featured on the next volume of this series. In contrast to most British Pop / Rock groups at the time, Manfred Mann had a very strong Jazz / Blues background and outstanding instrumental competence, which was clearly heard in everything they played. To a trained ear it was pretty obvious that the group would rather play a more Jazz oriented material, which the constraints of the Pop idiom did not allow them to do at the time, but they did record many instrumental pieces (included here) which were bona fide Jazz material. With the explosion of the Progressive Rock, it was no surprise that Manfred Mann would follow that way full-heartedly. The music included here is a fabulous proof that they don´t make music like this any more. The melodies, the playing and the superb BBC sound are all exactly right on the money and the joy of listening to this music goes way beyond a nostalgic glimpse at the past. Overall this is an absolute must for all Manfred Mann fans and connoisseurs of British Pop / Rock of the mid to late 1960s period and a stunning historical document of the period, which should not be missed! The music was compiled by Greg RussoFind albums by this artist, who also wrote the informative booklet accompanying this album – great job mate!

Updated: 12/07/2019Posted: 10/07/2019

CD 2 Remastered Recommend To A Friend