Progarchives, the progressive rock ultimate discography
Phil Manzanera - Diamond Head CD (album) cover

DIAMOND HEAD

Phil Manzanera

 

Prog Related

4.07 | 87 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

Mellotron Storm
Prog Reviewer
4 stars This is really a sister album to QUIET SUN's "Mainstream" record, as they were both recorded in the same studio one right after the other. Brian Eno, Phil Manzanera and Bill MacCormick would play on both, although "Diamond Head" isn't a Canterbury recording like "Mainstream" is. Most of the guys from ROXY MUSIC are here to help Phil out, plus a multitude of other guests. I must say that I couldn't help but think of our own tszirmay everytime I listened to this album. If there was a record that best described his personality this is it. It's fun, energetic, humerous and has a lot of character.

"Frontera" will put you in a good mood rather quickly. It's so uplifting with the legendary Robert Wyatt on vocals, and singing in Spanish. Manzanera's guitar work 2 1/2 minutes in becomes almost angular and dissonant. He's having a blast i'm sure. Great tune. "Diamond Head" is just a pleasure to listen to. Tasteful guitar leads the way as John Wetton (fresh out of KING CRIMSON) adds some nice bass. "Big Day" opens with strummed guitar as drums, vocals and full sound come in quickly. Eno is terrific on vocals.This is another cool song with fun lyrics like "Everyone's there in gay Peru" haha. Manzanera adds some fuzz to his guitar on this one. "The Flex" opens with bass and is kind of funky. Sax from ROXY MUSIC's MacKay a minute in. Jobson adds some clavinet as well. "Same Time Next Week" features the duet of John Wetton and Doreen Chanter. They are so fun as they banter back and forth throughout. Wetton adds some mellotron in this one, as well as bass. More sax from MacKay.

"Miss Shapiro" sounds like a Zappa title.The guitar is outstanding to open. Vocals from Eno 1 1/2 minutes in. It kicks into gear after 2 minutes. Again Eno sounds great on vocals, and the bass and drum work is fantastic ! This is too much ! "East Of Echo" features the complete QUIET SUN band along with Wetton,Thompson and Ian MacDonald on bagpipes ! This is an instrumental that opens with a fairly heavy soundscape of guitars and drums for 1 1/2 minutes.Then it lightens and the tempo picks up. Nice bass lines from Wetton, while MacCormick follows that up 2 1/2 minutes in with some fuzz bass. Nice. "Lagrima" is simply Manzanera on guitar and MacKay on the aboe. Cool instrumental. "Alma" is quite the contrast to the previous song. It does settle, MacCormick is on vocals this time. Manzanera shines on guitar 2 minutes in to the end. A fitting ending.

I can't recommend this album high enough, in fact if you can also get your hands on QUIET SUN's "Mainstream" record as well, go for it !

Mellotron Storm | 4/5 |

MEMBERS LOGIN ZONE

As a registered member (register here if not), you can post rating/reviews (& edit later), comments reviews and submit new albums.

You are not logged, please complete authentication before continuing (use forum credentials).

Forum user
Forum password

Share this PHIL MANZANERA review

Social review comments () BETA







Review related links

Copyright Prog Archives, All rights reserved. | Legal Notice | Privacy Policy | Advertise | RSS + syndications

Other sites in the MAC network: JazzMusicArchives.com — jazz music reviews and archives | MetalMusicArchives.com — metal music reviews and archives

Donate monthly and keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.