Nigel is at it again nagging me to write another Yawn. So what can I tell you. My son is into Muse who I think are really good and atmospheric. They can be quite heavy at times and there is some
nice piano. Some of the other stuff he is listening to is not quite as good, because it lacks some form of keyboards. I love lead guitar and I also love sax, flute jazz trumpet but there has to be keyboards.
Its good to listen to new music though and for that reason I am so looking forward to Manfred finishing the next album. It's ages since I heard anything from it. Certainly the very early mixes I
heard had the same freshness and a newness that I get from good interesting and different new bands. Only its always a bit special when its something new by Manfred.
The first time I heard certain new Manfred music still sticks in my mind. Either because it was at least very different or because it was so good.. I
remember being very excited with the Chapter III albums. Although not a particularly good album I will always remember the first time I heard the
first Earth Band album. It is interesting now to hear in retrospect what that album might have sounded like (Stepping Sideways) had the band not
evolved quicker than the recording process. This album was born out of a gentle country rock feel which you will hear for yourselves when the
box set finally escapes. Other albums also stick my mind. This is all down to individual taste of course. Some will remember when they first gave
Solar Fire a spin. I remember in particular Nightingales and Bombers having a particular effect on me. Afrika also grabbed me, but then so did the
Barbara Thompson sax solo on 'Dolphin'. Much of what I liked came out of doing something different. I am sure there are modern bands doing
things like 'War Dream' to great acclaim. I doubt many will not remember the first electrifying live gig. One hundred or less in an old cinema blown
away by something new and different. Whilst the band worried that things were not going to well, audiences were overwhelmed by the same
European tour in 1983. Again there was a lot going on that was new and exciting. I suppose what I am trying to say is we need this new album
now I can't be the only one who has taken an interest in this mans music because it is constantly changing. I am as nostalgic as the next man. Shit
I play with steam trains and collect old episodes of the Avengers. How much more nostalgic can a person be? I also am passionate about future
development of world transport and enjoy many programs and films born out of the stuff like the Avengers but new and different. Nostalgia is OK but it is dangerous if you stop looking forwards altogether.
Evolution is a bargain and superbly packaged and if you ain't got yourself a copy then you should. You will get a nice set of nostalgic 60's hits and
they were bloody good at it. The MMEB stuff you mostly have but as a bonus there is the DVD with amongst other goodies - the Funk Star video
which is good fun plus a lengthy interview with Manfred. The quality on a couple of tracks is perhaps a little poor but worth it on rarity value. As I
said before the whole thing is excellent value and its good to see lesser record shops stocking a Manfred record again. This CD was not aimed
particularly at the big fans - You will get the box and I will not bore you all with that again. Nigel says I can't review it either!
What we all want most though is the new album. Last time I talked to people it was going well and could even be finished later this year.
Retrospective stuff is good to have and I am really excited about the box, although CD 4 contains a lot of resent stuff from the 90's. I wanted to call
it "We Have No Past - 30 years of Hits ,Bits And Outtakes". That was because the music is constantly evolving and changing. Actually its a great
past but I suppose what I am trying to say is it is always nice to believe there is still something even greater to come. With Manfred I will go on believing this no matter how long we have to wait.
Good listening folks
Andy
A couple of weeks ago a few questions were raised on the message board, Andy has indicated the answer to some of them below, here are the rest as best we can answer them:
Q
. Will Funkstar Deluxe's version of 'Blinded By The Light' be released?
A. Funkstar Deluxe is a Universal artist and as such it's entirely their decision as to when and where they decide to release 'Blinded'.
Q. Will Chapter III Vol 3 be released?
A . Most of the tracks from the Vol 3 album will be included in the 4Cd Boxed set when it's released.
Q. When will the 4 CD Boxed set be released?
A . It'll be out later this year, the exact date of release has not been decided yet.
Q. How is the new album doing?
A
. Manfred is still working on it and as soon as there is any news, we'll of course announce it.
Nigel
A Yawn in Your E-Mail - March 2003