This compilation includes all of the first album and about half of the second. Following "Prelude/The Storm" the first album plays through in its original order, with "Erotica" carried over to start side two, and "Jesus Smith" and "Parchment & Candles" tacked on somewhat crudely at the end. The run times listed on the cover are very different from those listed on the U.S. and German copies of the LP's (which I used when I listed these cuts on the two previous pages). Some of the differences are trivial (ten seconds or less), some are over a minute. Since in all but one instance the length of the cuts are exagerated, I think it more that likely that the Golden Hour people were trying to convince folks that they were getting even more music for their money. It's obvious that these aren't extended versions I've listed the original run times in brackets next to the Golden Hour timings.
Once again Ray Williams name is ommited from the credits (which are identical to those on my American copy of 'Revelation') and this time is not even mentioned in the liner notes. Don't know if this is for contractual reasons (could be he was still under contract with another label and couldn't appear officially in another band) or it could be general calousness at Pye.
Man fall into this category, but as this well balanced album which has its origins in two previously issued LP's proves, they're a band who give their music a very special feeling and what is more important their progression has been a gradual one. And in so doing they're now emerging as a band with plenty to say and the ability to put it in the best of musical terms.
The Man personnel comprises Roger Leonard on guitar, harp, piano, percussion and vocals, Clive Johns on organ, piano, guitar and vocals, Mike Jones, lead guitar and vocals and Jeff Jones, drums and percussion.
Man possess a strong writing force and their ability to build an atmosphere into their music makes them an important addition th the ranks of those bands who aim for more than just the interpretation of a song. Listening to Man is an experience because they convey a variety of emotions in their music; "Prelude/The Storm" is a clear indication of their imagination when it comes to providing the necessary aid to the beginning of an exciting album and as you move on you'll find that this band create their own voyage of discovery--which they pass on to the listener--in a variety of musical sounds that surely mark them as a force in contemporary music well worth catching.
If you haven't already joined the group of people who have been shouting about their talent for long enough and now find it being justified in wide acclaim then this album should bring you that much closer to the feel of a truly remarkable group of musicians.
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