Search - Manfred Mann :: Chapter Two: Best of Fontana Years

Superb Sampler of Lost Period

Randall E. Adams | Los Angeles, CA United States | 04/18/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"After the exit of Paul Jones from the group, the Manfreds moved toward a more overtly commercial sound in their singles. At the same time, they finally began to create substantial LPs.This set poses the odd juxtaposition of the mostly dreadful single a-sides ("Mighty Quinn" excepted) and the magnificent LP tracks and single b-sides, generally authored by the Mann himself or Mike Hugg or Michael D'Abo (a superb songwriter in his own right even before joining the Manfreds). Indeed the LP tracks are reminiscent of the Zombies' "Odyssey and Oracle" material, while the single a-sides sound like Herman's Hermits or the nightmarishly inappropriate a-sides Mickie Most foisted on the Yardbirds in their last days. The Manfreds' version of "Just Like a Woman" is frankly poor. Treacle such as "My Name is Jack" is even worse. With the tedious "Mr. Raggamuffin Man," the group packed it in. For the most part, the a-sides ape the music hall revival Kinks but without any authentic sense of humor and the bought-in songs sport cliched chord changes and melody lines. But tucked away on the albums or the flip sides of the singles were glorious numbers like "Box Office Draw," "Each and Every Day," "It's So Easy Falling in Love," "Up the Junction," and "Everyday Another Hair Turns Grey." Indeed, this set makes me wish for a full scale reissue of the Michael D'Abo era albums. The inclusion of the single a-sides is inevitable, but they are what make this a four star disc for me rather than an easy five star. Fortunately they account for a good deal less than half the material included. If you expect "The Mighty Quinn" to be the best track here, get ready for a wonderful surprise."

Jazz/Blues, R&B/Rock at it's finest. Great band.

Randall E. Adams | 01/26/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a beautiful set. This set includes many obscure titles that are very difficult to find in any format. Some of their finest work including adventures in psychedelic/jazz and cool pop/rock. This band has always been very underated, they are in my opinion simply one of the greatest bands to emerge from the 60's whiplash of fantastic bands. Check this one out, the history speaks for itself. It's a killer."

Pleasant surprise!

jim mello | Maine,USA | 12/13/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD was a great discovery,filling in the "missing years" of the band, between the 60's hits and the re-popularized Earth Band of the 1970's.The band covers a wide variety of styles,always with a pop sensibility,that rivals some of the better known Brit.pop of this late 60's era: the Kinks,Beatles,Hollies,Who and others. From the pop gem "Mighty Quinn" to the psychedelicized "Cubist Town" the band produced many delightful songs not well known on this side of the Atlantic. The accompanying notes help to set the songs according to the shifting band personnel during this transitional time. If you like harmonized Brit. pop,you will be pleasantly surprised."