LIVE AT THE PADGET ROOMS PENARTH

Back in the mid 70's Live at the Padget Rooms had a kind of mythical status amongst my group of friends. Even in 1976 it seemed impossible to lay your hands on a copy as it had been released as a limited edition of 8000. It wasn't until 1997 when BGO Records finally released it on cd that I finally heard it. Was it worth the wait? Well to be honest it was a bit of a dissapointment. Not that it was a bad album but it didn't quite match the legendary status (in my mind) it had.

The album contains just three songs of Man's own brand of Psychedelic/Progressive Rock. Opener "Many are called but few get up" was a live favourite and an excellent version can be heard here. Next up we have a bit of Man Rock 'n' Roll in the shape of "Daughter of the Fireplace" and very good it is too. Unfortunately the album is let down by third and final track, a 19 minute jam called H Samuel, apparently named after the chain of jewllers. It doesn't really go anywhere and early on falls into a monotonous chimming riff which soon starts to grate.

A half decent album then but those looking for the ultimate Live Man experience would be recomended to check out "Back into the Future" or "Maximum Darkness".