A Yawn in Your E-Mail - October 2003

Early in October I was able to have a chat with Manfred. I asked him firstly how the new album was going. He told me that the album is now virtually finished. He was, when we spoke, in the process of adding bits here and there, just improving things. Something classical for example was going on with a choir of monks in the background, whilst we were talking. He has also been trying out some guest singers including one or two very well known ones. No names can be given yet, as the final use of vocals have not at this stage been decided. In general terms eight of the ten tracks are based on classical themes. Manfred was however, keen to point out that this was not a classical album or indeed anything like the pomp rock classical style associated with musicians such as Rick Wakeman.

Early in October I was able to have a chat with Manfred. I asked him firstly how the new album was going. He told me that the album is now virtually finished. He was, when we spoke, in the process of adding bits here and there, just improving things. Something classical for example was going on with a choir of monks in the background, whilst we were talking. He has also been trying out some guest singers including one or two very well known ones. No names can be given yet, as the final use of vocals have not at this stage been decided. In general terms eight of the ten tracks are based on classical themes. Manfred was however, keen to point out that this was not a classical album or indeed anything like the pomp rock classical style associated with musicians such as Rick Wakeman.

The first release, around February next year, is likely to be a single, co-produced by Manfred and Dean Hart. Manfred described it as a strange thing, perhaps more pop than rock. Manfred and Dean share the vocals on this song as well. I have already heard some exciting vibes about this single from elsewhere.

This will be followed by a second more rock based single on which Noel McCalla and Chris Thompson share vocals. The album should be out around the same time.

Manfred has been concentrating on finishing the album and the singles so he hasn't made much progress as yet with the proposed instrumental project. He is still however very keen to do this. He has been having discussions with drummer Jon Hiseman who is also keen to do it. Jon is however, also busy at present, I think with the last Colosseum tour, (who doesn't know I am a huge fan of both Jon and Colosseum?), so nothing has been agreed or decided upon. The idea is to cover very well known songs, in an imaginative and very different way. For the historians amongst you Manfred recorded some jazz arrangements of pop tunes years ago. Songs such as 'Wild Thing', done in a frantic off the wall style and the more polished big brass arrangement of 'Satisfaction' were amongst quite a few to get the jazz treatment. Manfred and Mike Hugg used musicians such as Jack Bruce and Dave Richmond on these recordings.

Manfred told me the proposed line up for the new project would probably include violin and saxophone. Manfred plans to use if not the same a similar keyboard rig to the one he is using with Earth Band. I will be keeping fingers and toes crossed that this happens because I think it would be in for some great music.

The boxed set, you may have noticed I have been a little quiet about recently. This is mostly because I haven't a clue what is happening. Helen tells me it is probably going to be out in November. (She did not say which November!). The CD's have been mastered. It is, even allowing for the fact that I am biased, mouth wateringly good stuff. Just think, soon you will have some unreleased Chapter III long since thought lost forever and including the legendary 'Messin' Up The Land'. Soon you will also have pre MMEB by the four founder members of MMEB, tracks you also thought to have been melted in flames. You will also soon hear vocalists you have never heard, and studio not to mention live recordings from the last ten years. The only thing I can't tell you is how soon!

In the defence of the powers that be, they are currently working on another very exciting project. A previously unreleased work by no less a composer than Elgar. Manfred discovered the unknown manuscript in an auction house.

Having noted some of the controversy amongst some die-hard fans about the forthcoming tour with the former Whitesnake people, I asked Manfred what was happening. Manfred confirmed that they would be opening the show as special guests and playing a set of about an hour. I can't pretend that I didn't find this disappointing. On the bright side they are coming closer to Merseyside than I can ever remember. (Warrington Parr Hall). It will be good to make some noise, give them our support around the country and who knows after two or three encores, we might have got the full set.

Might see you there.

Andy

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