TWELFTH NIGHT XII [AKA: THE VIRGIN ALBUM]

Geoff Mann was one of the finest lyricists and vocalists of the neo-prog era. Indeed after leaving TN, he went on to attain equal heights with Casino, The Bond, A Geoff Mann Band and Eh, Geoff Mann Band, not forgetting his solo output. Andy Sears is a totally different style of vocalist and lyricist as was immediately apparent from his first outing with TN, Art & Illusion - the title track of which was penned by Geoff Mann. Andy Sears' rendition equals Geoff's as can be heard on the live bootlegs on which you can hear it performed.

XII is a completely different kettle of fish to either Art & Illusion, or to any preceding work by the band. For this recording, as the sleeve notes tell, they really pushed the boundaries musicallly taking full advantage of early digital technology in doing so. I think that this album was well ahead of its time and still stands up today though it is perhaps not to the taste of many who own Smiling At Grief, Fact & Fiction, and Live And Let Live.

Don't let that put you off however, as there are some gems to be discovered here. These are, in my opinion, The Craft, Blue Powder Monkey, Theatre, Shame and the classic Take A Look. Each time I listen to this CD, I find new musical depths to explore. So, check it out and then, if you haven't already done so, track down the rest of TNs back catalog as well as Geoff Mann's other work. You will not be disappointed.

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