Following the breakup of Manfred Mann the band, Manfred Mann the musician was keen to move away from pop music and start something new. Drummer Mike Hugg (whom he had originally formed the band with) stuck with him, and also moved out of the drum seat to play keyboards. The result was Manfred Mann Chapter Three, featuring the lineup of Mann (organ), Hugg (vocals/piano), Bernie Living (sax/flute), Steve York (bass) and Craig Collinge (drums). The new band made their debut performance in October 1969, and introduced their experimental jazz-rock sound.
Their debut album came out a month later. It was fated to never be commercially successful, but was a truly remarkable record. It joined slow, brooding grooves with Hugg's eerie, whispered vocals, creating something brilliantly dark and menacing, somewhat akin to Dr John's Night Tripper albums. The band was also bolstered by a large horn section which added some real power, and at times broke up into blaring free jazz solos. The songs were all originals written by Mann and Hugg, and included one which would have been familiar to many. "Mister, You're A Better Man Than I" had first been recorded by The Yardbirds back in 1965, and was re-invented here as to make it almost unrecognizeable.
The result was a great album with a unique sound. However it was clear from the start that this new band were not going to have any hits and would be restricted to an underground audience.
The result was a great album with a unique sound. However it was clear from the start that this new band were not going to have any hits and would be restricted to an underground audience.
|> Manfred Mann Chapter Three Volume Two (1970)
More from Manfred Mann Chapter Three
Download
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment