Manfred Mann Chapter Three (album)
Manfred Mann Chapter Three is the debut album released in 1969 by Manfred Mann Chapter Three. It was one of the three first albums released on the Vertigo record label. The principal members of the group were Manfred Mann and Mike Hugg. Mann played the organ and acted as the group's musical arranger, whilst Hugg handled vocals, played piano and was the chief songwriter. The group was augmented by a five-piece brass section and several distinguished jazz soloists.
Manfred Mann Chapter Three | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 7 November 1969 | |||
Recorded | June - October 1969 | |||
Studio | Maximum Sound Studios, London | |||
Genre | Jazz rock, progressive rock | |||
Length | 50:10 (original) 68:25 (bonus track) | |||
Label | Vertigo (UK original release) Bronze (UK 1980 reissue) Cohesion (UK 1993 reissue) Polydor (U.S.) Fontana (Australia) | |||
Producer | Manfred Mann | |||
Manfred Mann Chapter Three chronology | ||||
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Alternative cover | ||||
Manfred Mann Chapter Three (US version) |
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
Allmusic | [1] |
Christgau's Record Guide | C+[2] |
The core songs "Travelling Lady", "Snakeskin Garter", "Devil Woman", and "Time" define the album's sound: long, slow, doomy one chord riffs beneath sections of breathy vocals, powerful brass and free-form improvised solos. "Konekuf" is the same without the vocals, while "A Study in Inaccuracy" is simply freeform. "Sometimes", "One Way Glass", "Ain't It Sad" and "Where Am I Going" are shorter and more melodic, wistful songs centering on Hugg's electric piano, on which he turns in an able solo on "Mister, You're a Better Man Than I".
Track listing
Tracks written by Mike Hugg except noted
Side one
- "Travelling Lady" (Manfred Mann, Hugg) – 5:48
- "Snakeskin Garter" – 5:48
- "Konekuf" (Mann) – 5:47
- "Sometimes" – 2:37
- "Devil Woman" – 5:24
Side two
- "Time" – 7:25
- "One-Way Glass" (Mann, Pete Thomas) – 3:33
- "Mr. You're a Better Man Than I" (Mike Hugg, Brian Hugg, Mann) – 5:10
- "Ain't It Sad" – 1:57
- "A Study in Inaccuracy" (Mann) – 4:05
- "Where Am I Going" – 2:36
Additional tracks (1999 CD re-issue)
- "Sometimes" (single mono version) – 2:22
- "Travelling Lady" (single mono version) (Mann, Hugg) – 5:20
- "Devil Woman" (single version) – 5:23
- "A Study in Inaccuracy" (alternative version) – 5:10
Personnel
Manfred Mann Chapter Three
- Mike Hugg – piano, lead vocals, arranger
- Manfred Mann – organ, police whistle, arranger
- Bernie Living – alto saxophone, flute
- Steve York – bass, guitar, harp
- Craig Collinge – drums
Wind section
- Clive Stevens – tenor saxophone
- Carl Griffiths – tenor saxophone
- Dave Coxhill – baritone saxophone
- Gerald Drewett – trombone
- Sonny Corbett – trumpet
Guests
- Brian John Hugg – acoustic guitar
- Harry Beckett – trumpet on "Time"
- Sue and Sunny – vocals on "Devil Woman"
Technical
- Dave Hadfield – producer, engineer
- Derek Wadsworth – brass arrangements
- Luke Weall – art direction, design
- Jack Levy – cover art
References
- Allmusic review
- Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: M". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved March 4, 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.