Manfred Mann's Earth Band
A Twitter notification by my brother Terry regarding a entertainment story in no less than the Jerusalem Times got me to thinking about a band that has not entered my consciousness for some time. I have at least one album which was tricky to obtain and have downloaded several tracks.
Manfred Mann were around in the 1960s, purveying catchy pop tunes - "Doo Wah Diddy Diddy", "Pretty Flamingo", a hit cover of Dylan's "The Mighty Quinn", "My Name Is Jack", "Semi-Detached, Suburban Mr James", "Ha Ha Said The Clown" and post break-up even a classic yoghurt advertisement theme "Ski (Full Of Fitness)"
Manfred Mann were around in the 1960s, purveying catchy pop tunes - "Doo Wah Diddy Diddy", "Pretty Flamingo", a hit cover of Dylan's "The Mighty Quinn", "My Name Is Jack", "Semi-Detached, Suburban Mr James", "Ha Ha Said The Clown" and post break-up even a classic yoghurt advertisement theme "Ski (Full Of Fitness)"
The band took their name from their talented musician and founder, South African Manfred Mann.
Skip forward to the early 70s and Manfred pops up again, this time as founder and keyboard player of prog rock band Manfred Mann's Earth Band.
My first memory of them is liking a single called "Joybringer" from the album "Solar Fire". This contained elements of Jupiter, The Bringer of Joy from The Planets Suite by Gustav Holst.
Next, I was browsing at the HMV Store in Oxford Street and heard a glorious noise coming over the tannoy. After asking at the counter, I was told that it was "Crossfade" from the "Nightingales and Bombers" album.
I later found out that this album was so-called because part of the title track contains a naturalist's recording during World War II of a nightingale singing in a garden as warplanes flew overhead.
Another track on the record was "Spirits In The Night", which it turned out was a cover of a Springsteen track.
I first put my hand in my pocket to buy an Earth Band album in about 1976 when I heard the hit single "Blinded By The Light" which is another Springsteen cover.
Skip forward to the early 70s and Manfred pops up again, this time as founder and keyboard player of prog rock band Manfred Mann's Earth Band.
My first memory of them is liking a single called "Joybringer" from the album "Solar Fire". This contained elements of Jupiter, The Bringer of Joy from The Planets Suite by Gustav Holst.
Next, I was browsing at the HMV Store in Oxford Street and heard a glorious noise coming over the tannoy. After asking at the counter, I was told that it was "Crossfade" from the "Nightingales and Bombers" album.
I later found out that this album was so-called because part of the title track contains a naturalist's recording during World War II of a nightingale singing in a garden as warplanes flew overhead.
Another track on the record was "Spirits In The Night", which it turned out was a cover of a Springsteen track.
I first put my hand in my pocket to buy an Earth Band album in about 1976 when I heard the hit single "Blinded By The Light" which is another Springsteen cover.
The Roaring Silence is a great album containing the lovely tracks "Singing The Dolphin Through", "Starbird" and "Questions".
The slightly more up-tempo tracks are "The Road To Babylon", "Starbird" and (not sure if it is a live recording or not) instrumental "Waiter, There's A Yawn In My Ear".
The slightly more up-tempo tracks are "The Road To Babylon", "Starbird" and (not sure if it is a live recording or not) instrumental "Waiter, There's A Yawn In My Ear".
A couple of year's later, another single came along with "Davy's On The Road Again" from the album Watch. This was another fine record and also contained a live re-boot of Manfred Mann's Dylan-penned "The Mighty Quinn".
I heard little of the band for many years, but still loved these records.
The Jerusalem Times article told me that Manfred Mann was playing his first concerts since 2004.
I wish him well and thank him for the music.
The Jerusalem Times article told me that Manfred Mann was playing his first concerts since 2004.
I wish him well and thank him for the music.
(21 September 2015)
Note regarding the pictures:
I have no idea from where some of the photos on this page have come from, and I am not claiming any ownership (unless I have taken them at events or gigs).
If you would like a credit mentioned, please contact me.
(21 September 2015)
I have no idea from where some of the photos on this page have come from, and I am not claiming any ownership (unless I have taken them at events or gigs).
If you would like a credit mentioned, please contact me.
(21 September 2015)