'MANN ALIVE'
Manfred Mann has been making music now for 35 years producing an extraordinary number of international hit records during the 60's, 70's and 80's. Since 1971 Manfred has had his Earth Band and despite many personnel changes Mick Rogers, lead guitarist/singer one of the founding members and Chris Thompson, who sang on most of the big hits are both in the current line up along with Steve Kinch - bass player for the last dozen years. Noel McCalla whose incredible vocal range puts a little soul into the band and newest members John Trotter on drums completes the present day Manfred Mann's Earth Band.So what makes the new album Mann Alive one of the bands most important releases to date. True the double CD contains full length and edited version of Earth Band classics 'Blinded By The Light' and 'Davy's On The Road Again', but then Mann Alive is full of Earth Band classics starting with the wonderfully moody and atmospheric 'Martha's Madman' all ten glorious minutes and including rock anthems like 'Father Of Day', featuring Mick on vocals as well as lead guitar, and Stings, 'Demolition Man'. A glance at the track listing and this could be the ultimate 'Very Best Of', Greatest Hits album, but it's much much better than that. This is Manfred Mann's Earth Band at their very best, live and on stage. I do not know of anybody who has gone to see MMEB Live and not been blown away. They have one of if not the greatest live sounds of any contemporary rock bands.
The problem is catching the magic on tape and that is not easy. A few years ago the album Budapest set out to do this. It is generally accepted that Budapest is a great 'best of' but disappointing as a live album.
So the network of loyal fans have kept themselves happy swapping poor quality bootleg tapes. Now with the new album at long last we have a live album that captures the excitement the atmosphere and the fun of the Earth Band in concert. John and Steve keep everything solid and tight enabling Chris Thompson and Noel McCalla to set about proving they are two of the greatest vocalists around whilst we are treated to Manfred distinctive keyboard sounds and Mick Rogers Guitar on a variety of blistering solos. It's hard to pick out highlights because from the start of 'You Give Me', an instrumental with strong Joybringer undertones, the album does not let up. Bob Dylan's - 'Times They Are A Changing' has never been released before by MMEB and the semi-accoustic version of Springsteens 'For You', and Bob Marley's ' Redemption Song', add further depth. The latter comes in two versions, one sung by Chris Thompson and one a Chris Thompson and Noel McCalla duet.
Do I have any disappointments? If I was honest, I don't like the inclusion of the two 'Plains Music' tracks although, hopefully, they will inspire one and all to acquire a copy of the beautiful 'Plains Music Album' if you don't already have it. Then there's that song from the live show I would have included and they are a bonus to a very long album.
Does it matter? Not one bit. Get your copy of Mann Alive, turn up the volume and if you find yourself in 7th Heaven somewhere between the vocals, bass and drums, the guitar solo on Father of Day or the Keyboard/Moog solo on Martha's Madman, don't be surprised if you bump into loads of other people there - me included.
ROCK AND ROLL
Andy Taylor
ANDY TAYLOR RUNS THE OFFICIAL MANFRED MANN FAN CLUB AND IS EDITOR OF THE FAN CLUB MAGAZINE - PLATFORM END .