Manfred Mann's Earth Band


Band members                             Related acts

  line up x (1969-71) as Manfred Mann Chapter Three

- Craig Collinge -- drums, percussion

- Mike Hugg -- vocals, keyboards

- Bernie Living -- sax, flute

- Manfred Mann -- keyboards

- Steve York -- bass

 

  supporting musicians:

- Harold Beckett -- trumpet

- Sonny Corbett -- trumpet

- Dave Coxhill -- baritone sax

- Gerald Drewett -- trombone

- Carl Griffiths -- tenor sax

- Brian Hugg -- guitar

- Clive Stevens -- tenor sax

 

 

- Brian Hugg -- bass

- Mike Hugg -- lead guitar (-71)

- Manfred Mann - vocals, keyboards, synthesizers 

- Mick Rogers (aka Michael Oldroyd) -- vocals, guitar 

  (replaced Mike Hugg) (1971-)

- Colin Pattenden -- bass (replaced Steve York) (1971-)

- Chris Slade -- drums, percussion (1971-)

- Steve York -- bass (-71)

 

 

 

- Bulldog (Michael Rogers)

- East of Eden (Steve York)

- The Librettos (Craig Collinge)

- The Manfred Mann Band

- The Playboys (Michael Rogers)

- Procession (Craig Collinge and Michael Rogers)

- The Manfred Mann Band

- Procession (Craig Collinge)

- Shout (Craig Collinge)

- The Squires (Chris Slade)

- Vinegar Joe (Steve York)

- Third World War (Craig Collinge)

 

 

 


 

Genre: progressive

Rating: 3 stars ***

Title:  Chapter Three

Company: Polydor

Catalog: 24-4013

Year: 1969

Country/State: South Africa /UK

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: gatefold sleeve

Available: 1

Catalog ID: 1493

Price: $15.00

 

 So here are what the liner notes have to say about 1969's "Chapter Three":  "In June 1969 Manfred Mann pop group disbanded after 5 ½ years of successfully making hit records. Manfred Mann Chapter 3 was formed by Manfred Mann and Mike Hugg, who had originally for the Manfred Mann pop group in 1963. This L.P. was recorded between June and October 1969 in the Old Kent Road and represents in general what we personally have been wanting to do for some years."

 

And that should warn you not to expect another 'The Mighty Quinn' styled slice of pop ecstacy.   Mann and company were clearly interested in establishing their credentials as "serious" musicians, capable of mixing it up with the best of jazz-rockers and more progressive-oriented entities.  And that was a mixed blessing.   Anyone who loved the group's original pop orientation was going to find discordant jazzy numbers like 'Konekuf', 'Devil Woman' and 'TIme' tough slogging.   At the same time there was something kind of mesmerizing in the abrupt shift in direction.  You certainly had to admire their willingness to walk away from pop stardom.  With Mike Hugg having switched over from drums to lead vocals and keyboards, the band had a vocalist who was best described as an acquired taste, but he certainly could write some engaging material including 'Traveling Lady' and 'Snakeskin Garter'.  And in spite of their abrupt change in direction Mann and Hugg couldn;t entirely abandon their affection for a good pop song - witness 'Sometimes', 'One Way Glass', and 'Ain't It Sad'.   The rest of the line-up was equally talented - notably former East of Eden bassist Steve York and ex-Procession drummer Craig Collinge.   Anyhow,"Chapter Three" was way different from their earlier work and was worth checking out.

 

Vetigo catalog number VO 3

 

Who knows why, but the original UK release featured a different, equally lame album cover.   

 

"Chapter Three" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Traveling Lady   (Manfred Mann - Mike Higg) - 5:48

So Mike Hugg wasn't the best vocalist Manfred Mann ever recruited, but with some surprisingly effective discordant horns (Harold Beckett and Bernie Living), and Steve York's melodic bassl line, Manfred Mann and company seldom sounded as dark and ominous as on the slinky 'Traveling Lady'.  Wonderfully tune that simply dripped an early-'70s aura.     rating: **** stars

2.) Snakeskin Garter   (Mike Hugg) - 5:48

Not to sound like a broken record, but Hugg's dry, craggy voice was definitely an acquired taste.  The fact tracks like 'Snakeskin Garter' were highly listenable and even enjoyable was very much a testament to what a good writer Hugg was.  Powered by York's stunning bass and some punchy horns this one's always reminded me a bit of an early Traffic tune.  YouTube has a nice clip of the band performing the song before a small, select French audience: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTi7Bykg7L0   rating: **** stars

3.) Konekuf (instrumental)   (Manfred Mann) - 5:58

Sounding like something out of the Soft Machine catalog , 'Konekuf' was a straightforward jazz instrumental showcasing the band's backing horn section.   Technically I'm sure it was stunning, but from an enjoyment standpoint it didn't do a great deal for me.  rating: ** stars.  

4.) Sometimes   (Mike Hugg) - 2:38

Opening up with some delicate Brian Hugg acoustic guitar, 'Sometimes' was a pretty, slightly lysergically-tinged ballad that served to highlight Hugg's commercial writing edge, while keeping the horns in check.  rating: **** stars

5.) Devil Woman    (Mike Hugg) - 5:27

One of the album's most discordant tunes, the instrumental 'Devil Woman' almost sounded like Hugg and company had been listening to an overdose of John Coltrane.   rating: ** stars

 

(side 2)
1.) Time
   (Mike Hugg) - 7:32

A completely weird mixture of lysergic and discordant jazzy moves, 'Time' sounded like a bad trip (or at least what I imagined a bad trip sounded like).   rating: ** stars

2.) One Way Glass   (Manfred Mann) - 3:30

In spite of the squealing horns, 'One Way Glass' was the album's most commercial tune.  Youtube has a live performance of the tune at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5ueacuBVjE    Fpr hardcore fans, The Manfred Mann  Earth Band re-recorded the track on their 1972 "Glorified Magnified" album.  rating: **** stars

3.) Mr. You're a Better Man Than I     (Brian Hugg - Mike Hugg) - 5:10
Most folks will know The Yardbirds cover version (found on "Having a Rave Up with The Yardbirds").  The Yardbirds version was far more commercial, but I'd actually go with the Manfred Mann original which has a ominous and slightly dark feel to it.   rating: **** stars

4.) Ain' It Sad   (Mike Hugg) - 3:58

One of the few tunes that didn;t incorporate blaring, jazzy horns into the arrangement, 'Ain't It Sad' was also one of the few tunes that recalled their earlier pop glories.  Great track and one of the highlights.   rating: **** stars

5.) A Study In Inaccuracy (instrumental)  (Manfred Mann) - 4:08

Freeform jazz freakout ...   not my style.  rating: ** star

6.) Where Am I Going   (Mike Hugg) - 2:45

Mike Hugg ballad ...  pretty enough, nut you could use his voice to sandblast metal.  rating: *** stars

 

 

 

 


Genre: progressive

Rating: 4 stars ****

Title:  Solar Fire

Company: Polydor

Catalog: PD 6109

Year: 1973

Country/State: South Africa /UK

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: minor ring and edge wear

Available: 1

Catalog ID: 4973

Price: $15.00

 

 

Aside from the occasional single, I've never been a big Manfred Mann fan.  1973's "Solar Fire" is the exception to the rule.

 

The Earth Band's third album, this self-produced set was a true rarity - a concept album that blended progressive and rock moves into a coherent piece that actually worked.  Apparently intended as an expansion of the theme on the band's earlier UK 'Joyrider' single (itself adapted from Gustav Holst's 'Planets'), the concept wasn't entirely clear to me - clearly something to do with the planets, but given the strength of the material, that was almost an afterthought. The extended opener 'Father of Day, Father of Night' was another rarity; in this case a Dylan cover that was drastically reworked into a progressive suite that was actually better than the original (awesome song to hear on a quality pair of headphones).  Elsewhere material like 'In the Beginning, Darkness', the goofy instrumental 'Pluto the Dog' and the title track found Mann and company stumbling on a near perfect mix of rock, progressive and pseudo-jazzy moves.  Lots of great guitar and keyboards, with Rogers turning in some of the best vocals of his career.  A modest seller, the album peaked at # 96.  (By the way, there are at least three versions of the LP.  The UK release track listing included 'Earth, the Circle Part 2' and 'Part 1'.  The original US issue dropped the 'Part 1' instrumental in favor of the earlier single 'Joybringer'.  Subsequent releases reverted to the original UK track listing.  The US single was:

 

- 1974's 'Father of the Day, Father of the Night' b/w 'Solar Fire 2' Polydor catalog number )

 

"Solar Fire" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Father of Day, Father of Night  (Bob Dylan) - 9:51

2.) In the Beginning, Darkness   (Manfred Mann - Mick Rogers - Chris Slade) - 5:19

3.) Pluto the Dog (instrumental)   (Manfred Mann - Mick Rogers - Chris Slade - Colin Pattendale) - 2:45

 

(side 2)
1.) Solar Fire   (Mick Rogers - Chris Slade) - 5:14

2.) Saturn, Lord of the Ring Mercury, the Winged Messenger (Instrumental)  (Manfred Man) - 6:30

3.) Earth, the Circle (Part 2)  (Manfred Man) - 3:23

4.) Earth, the Circle (Part 1) (Instrumental)  (Manfred Man) - 3:48

 


 


Genre: progressive

Rating: 3 stars ***

Title:  The Good Earth

Company: Warner Brothers

Catalog: BS 2826

Year: 1974

Country/State: South Africa / UK

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: --

Available: 1

Catalog ID: 5579

Price: $15.00

 

Funny how early-1970s Manfred Mann and company simply didn't get a great deal of press attention or radio play in the US.  That was unfortunate since this Manfred Mann line up with bassist Colin Pattenden, guitarist Mick Rogers, and drummer Chris Slade delivered some fantastic albums including 1974's "The Good Earth".  Released in the wake of another label change that saw the band sign a US distribution deal with Warner Brothers, the album featured what was apparently another concept piece.  Once again the plotline was largely lost on me though you could apparently get title to one square foot of a Welsh hillside by submitting the forms printed on the back cover of the album.  Not that the plotline mattered since individually most of these seven songs stood up on their own.   Exemplified by tracks like ' Earth Hymn' and 'Earth Hymn, Part 2' Mann and company were one of the few outfits out there capable of balancing pop, progressive, and rock moves into a palatable stew.  Not meant as a criticism, but with Mann's commercial roots, to some extent  the progressive label was overstated.  Sure there were occasional progressive moves scattered throughout including the instrumental 'Sky High' and Mann's synthesizer solo in their cover of the Gary Wright title track.  Still, the bulk of the album was pretty conventional and commercial. There were plenty of highlights including Rogers' guitar work on the title track (including what sounded like a nod to Free), the nice ballad 'Launching Place' and the country-tinged 'I'll Be Gone'.   Yeah there were a couple of slow spots.  The isolated pure progressive moves were kind of dull and Mann's synthesizer touches now sound a little dated - though try to remember this album is now three decades plus old.  Minor criticisms to an album that I play on a regular basis.  Elsewhere the single was:

 

 

- 1974's 'Be Not Too Hard' b/w 'Earth Hymn, Part 2' (Bronze catalog number BRO 13-A/B)

 

Supposedly released in the States as well, I've never seen a copy.

 

The album made it to # 157 on the US charts.   

 

"The Good Earth" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Give Me the Good Earth    (Gary Wright) - 8:32

2.) Launching Place   (Mike Rudd) - 5:51

3.) I'll Be Gone   (Mike Rudd) - 3:42

 

(side 2)
1.) Earth Hymn   (Manfred Mann - Chris Slade) - 6:18

2.) Sky High (instrumental)   (Manfred Mann - Mick Rogers) - 5:14

3.) Be Not Too Hard   (Mick Rogers - Christopher Logue) - 4:11

4.) Earth Hymn, Part 2   (Manfred Mann - Chris Slade) - 4:15

 

 

BACK TO BADCAT FRONT PAGE

BACK TO BADCAT CATALOG PAGE

BACK TO BADCAT PAYMENT INFORMATION