Most folks know
Manfred Mann
from his '60s hits, but 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
),
never became burdened by its own seriousness.
combines hypnotic instrumentals ("Tribute"), exhilarating original songs ("Captain Bobby Stout"), and three definitive covers all laden with hooks worthy of "Do Wah Diddy Diddy."
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
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,
is a completely satisfying album and one of the most underrated of the '70s. ~ J.P. Ollio