Angel Station (UK review) 1979

Most of us potter through life without any clear aims or objectives. Somehow we imagine that having heaved the cat out of bed and wiped sufficient marmalade on the morning toast, we'll get through the day without too many mishaps.

Manfred Mann is not like us ordinary mortals. He sets out to do more with his life than remove marmalade from cats. he decided a long time ago to make the best damn pop records money and brains could devise, even if it meant going to the Master - i.e. Bob Dylan - for inspiration.

Old Manfred has proved over and over again that he has an alchemist's touch. "You Angel You" done in the Manfred fashion would, I'm sure, wring praise from the Inscrutable One. It is one of the outstanding performances on this vibrant, cleverly wrought album by one of the strongest ever versions of the Earth Band. It's also the last album to feature Chris Thompson on vocals - he's quitting to form his own band - and with a generosity not often detected among musicians, Manfred offers a tribute to his past help and wishes him well on the sleeve.

The sheer attack of the band is immediately evident from the opening piece, "Don't Kill It Carol", which features deep, probing vocals from Chris and guitarist Steve Waller, and stabbing crystal-clear piano accents from Manfred. A voice-bag adds to the atmosphere of menace, and the arrangement immediately establishes the level of intensity maintained throughout. With Geoff Britton on drums and Pat King on grumbling bass, the Earth Men play like men possessed.

Not all the material is wonderful. "Platform End" for example, while containing intriguing effects on the 4-6-2 Pacific steam synthesizer, tends to flag after several choruses. Quite frankly, and not to put too fine a point on it, the piece is dull, dull, dull.

But "Angels At My Gate" which opens side two restores faith. It has a spooky flavour heightened by Britton's rumbling drums, and this continues into "You Are - I Am" a piece which recalls the haunting "Rainbow Chaser" by Nirvana, if anyone can remember that far back. I think producer Anthony Moore's sequencer must be responsible for some of the effects here, but there are sounds of human activity too as odd voices break through the veil of sound. It's reminiscent of some of the Beatles' more experimental work and will repay many a listen.

I commend this highly to all who appreciate a mixture of sincerity and skill. Just listen to Graham Preskett's violin solo on "Rain" and the curious "Resurrection", which concludes with what sounds like a totter shouting "any old iron", followed by a burst of laughter.

Chris Welch

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