SOLAR FIRE

Just like with Greenslade, I have the idea that Manfred Mann's Earth Band is not fully appreciated because of its varied blend of several styles, they don't fit into the standard of the usual symphonic prog. This is the mostly appreciated album on Prog Archives, rated with 4.29 against 4.14 from Nightingales And Bombers.

1. Father Of Day, Father Of Night (9:53) : An impressive cover of the Bob Dylan song, it starts with female choir singing, then a slow rhythm with melancholical vocals, wonderful Hammond organ and violin-Mellotron (in the excellent tradition of In The Court Of The Crimson King) and bombastic outbursts featuring fiery electric guitar runs. Halfway a splendid build-up guitar solo, from fragile to heavy and howling, goose bumps! The final part contains spectacular Minimoog runs, Manfred Mann at his best.

2. In The Beginning, Darkness (5:19) : Here we can experience how Manfred Mann turns an average powerful and catchy rock rhythm into just another spectacular break delivering propulsive military drums beats, harder- edged guitar and amazing, pitchbend driven Minimoog runs.

3. Pluto The Dog (2:45) : A short piece with a funny barking from Pluto the dog and more spectacular Minimoog work by Manfred Mann.

4. Solar Fire (5:14) : First sumptuous Hammond waves, then sensational Minimoog flights and a slow, hypnotizing atmosphere with biting electric guitar and again that distinctive, very spectacular work on the Minimoog synthesizer, GREAT!

5. Saturn, Lord Of The Ring / Mercury, The Winged Messenger (6:30) : This track sounds like 'bombastic blues' with fiery electric guitar with howling runs, halfway another exciting break with heavy guitar and sensational Minimoog runs.

6. Joybringer (3:23) : This catchy blend of pop, rock and symphonic delivers halfway 'the wizard of the Minimoog pitchbend button', amazing!

7. Earth, The Circle (3:48) : The final song has a pleasant climate with wonderful Minimoog - and Mellotron work, halfway a swinging break with powerful bass and catch piano play.

I follow most of my fellow collaborators with their 5 star rating, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!