MANFRED MANN'S EARTH BAND : MANN ALIVE

 

Disc One (67:36)

  1. Martha's Madman
  2. The Times they are a changin
  3. You Angel You
  4. Father of Day, Father of Night
  5. For You
  6. It's a Fine Line
  7. Demolition Man
  8. Nothing Ever Happens
  9. She Was
  10. Blinded by the Light
  11. Davy's on the Road Again

Disc Two (38:50)

  1. I'll Give You
  2. Shelter from the Storm
  3. Redemption Song
  4. The Mighty Quinn
  5. Demolition Mann
  6. Blinded by the light
  7. Redemption Song
  8. Instrumedicine Song
  9. Sikelele 1

Label : Cohesion

Venue : various locations Europe

Recording Date : 1996-1997

Release Date : 1998

Review (ProgArchives) : This third live album of the Mann is not significantly different from the other ones but slightly better overall. OK, it is a double one which could mean that the fan would get the chance to get a full concert available. But there is nothing as such. The second CD is called "Encore & More". Not the best way to describe a live set...Half a concert and about half of repeated tracks BUT in a shorter format for most of the song. Some exception like the great "Shelter From The Storm" from their latest studio album (Vengeance) which is by far my fave track from this second CD. And to have two versions of the very average Marley "Redemption Song" is not a great experience. I have never liked "Demolition Man": nor "The Police" original, nor the Mann studio version, nor any live versions. On the contrary of course of a jewel like "Blinded By The Light". A great pop song, with feeling like I enjoy a lot. And the shorter version works very well since it avoids some useless repetitions. But there are other enjoyable songs on this live album like "Davy's On The Road Again" with its heavy & pumping organ play, the hard and soul-ish "The Mighty Quinn" and a good (but not exceptional) rendition of "Father Of Day, Father Of Night" (even if the great guitar of the studio version is not really on par). The fully expanded version of "Blinded" on the first CD is also well achieved. As the spacey instrumental She Was (one of my fave, but too short). There are also some down points, unfortunately (Nothing Ever Happens, Sikelele). All in all, this is probably the best Mann live album available. Three stars.