Manfred Mann's Earth Band

earthband

Most of us know Manfred Mann from his '60s hits. Manfred Mann's Earth Band. The heavier, more synthesizer-oriented outfit made quite a few albums in the 1970s; 1976's The Roaring Silence made the Top Ten, and featured the number one hit "Blinded by the Light" (Mann also made the Top 40 with another Springsteen cover, "Spirit in the Night"). Ironically, despite Mann's oft-proclaimed preferences for serious explorations of jazz, blues, and progressive music, it's his pop/rock recordings that hold up best, and for which he'll be remembered most.

Too few have ever heard the brilliant Manfred Mann's Earth Band album. Exploring arty and progressive directions, the Earth Band was a wholly different group from Mann's earlier lineup. Unlike the heavier art rock groups that would follow (Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Yes), the Earth Band never became burdened by its own seriousness.

Manfred Mann's Earth Band combines hypnotic instrumentals ("Tribute"), exhilarating original songs ("Captain Bobby Stout"), and three definitive covers all laden with hooks worthy of "Do Wah Diddy Diddy." Mann mines Dylan's basement tapes again for "Please Mrs. Henry" (see "Quinn the Eskimo" and "Get Your Rocks Off" on other releases). An obscure Dr. John song, "Jump Sturdy" nearly jumps off the record. The synthesizer solo "Sloth" segues into the album's centerpiece, "Living Without You." With its thumping bassline and "So hard" chorus, this might be the best version of a Randy Newman song ever recorded. Closing the album, the Mann himself takes vocal turns on "Part Time Man" and "Up & Leaving," quiet acoustic tales that contrast with the complex instrumentals of the rest of the record. On whole, Manfred Mann's Earth Band is a completely satisfying album and one of the most underrated of the '70s.

Manfred Mann's Earth Band

1971

Please Mrs. Henry
Please Mrs. Henry (single version - bonus track on 1999 CD)

Glorified Magnified

1972 - US LP shown

It's All Over Now, Baby Blue
It's All Over Now, Baby Blue (single version - bonus track on 1999 CD)

Solar Fire

1974

Father Of Day, Father Of Night
Father Of Day, Father Of Night (single version - bonus track on 1998 CD)

Messin'

1972

Get Your Rocks Off!

Get Your Rocks Off

1973 - US LP version of Messin'

Get Your Rocks Off!

Budapest

1983 - Live

Mighty Quinn

Angel Station

1979

You Angel You
You Angel You (single version - bonus track on 1999 CD)

Watch

1978

Mighty Quinn
Mighty Quinn (single version - bonus track on 1998 CD)

Wired

Released 2001, Recorded 1977 in Boston - Live

Father Of Day, Father Of Night
Mighty Quinn (Quinn The Eskimo)

Nightingales & Bombers

1975 - US LP only

Quit Your Lowdown Ways (bonus track on 1999 CD)

On The Road

Released 2002, Live - same tracklist as Wired, same show?

Father Of Day, Father Of Night
Mighty Quinn (Quinn The Eskimo)

Soft Vengeance

1996

Shelter From The Storm

Legends Live in Concert

2015

Father Of Day, Father Of Night

Angel Station in Moscow

2005 DVD - Rec. 11/2000

Shelter From The Storm
Father Of Day, Father Of Night
Mighty Quinn

The Complete Greatest Hits of Manfred Mann 1963-2003

2003 - 2xCD compilation

If You Gotta Go, Go Now Manfred Mann
Just Like A Woman Manfred Mann
Mighty Quinn (Quinn The Eskimo) Manfred Mann
Mighty Quinn (Quinn The Eskimo)
You Angel You
Father Of Day, Father Of Night