SONGS FROM THE BILSTON HOUSE

This album has been in my player a hell of alot since it arrived! It is an exciting listen! From the moment you see the cover with its 'Psycho' like abandoned house and dramatic coastal waves you know this is going to be an interesting experience.

The packaging is quite excellent but the music and lyrics hold you in a their grip right through the 60+ minutes.

The songs are quite varied and although held together by the loose idea of rooms in house where tales have unfolded, this is not a full blow concept album, more a collection of wonderfully crafted songs which are organised together under one roof (no pun intended).

Songs From the Bilston House is chocked full of great tunes. fluid and thoughful performances by all involved which includes Flute, Saxes, Fiddles, keyboards and all sorts of acoustic instruments, mandolins, bouzoukis etc. plus some classy electric guitar work. The arrangements are great, the moods changing and atmospheric and above all, behind each piece there is simply a great song there with an intelligent lyric to match.

'The Tangent' buddy Andy Tillison not only puts in the drums and some keys here, but also helped out in the production too, which is first class.

I am now working my way through the back catalogue for Guy Manning and each album is a revelation. Sure, I have my favourite pieces on favourite albums, but, this 'guy' consistently delivers and with alarming regularity!

I noticed that one 'reviewer' has only given this album one star. I feel this is a real shame because anyone hearing the album will quickly release that the artwork alone gets it 2 stars! and so one can only assume that this person either did not bother to listen or had some other motive in mind for the low score. There is no way on Earth that this album could be classed as poor and as many of the other reviews about have shown, this is far from being so.

Indeed Highly recommended!!