Solar Fire

Artist: Manfred Mann's Earth Band
Label: Cohesion
Category: Music

Average customer rating:

Format: Import
Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 1

UPC: 766485026828
EAN: 0766485026828
ASIN: B00000I26G

Release Date: 2004-06-29

Solar Fire

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Tracks:

"Father Of Day, Father Of Night
"In The Beginning, Darkness
Pluto The Dog
Solar Fire
"Saturn, Lord Of The Rings, Mercury The Winged
"Earth, The Circle Part 2
"Earth, The Circle Part 1
Joybringer
"Father Of Day, Father Of Night(Edited Version)

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Album Description

Digitally remastered reissue of 1973 album, complete withfaithfully restored artwork, all seven of the original cuts& two bonus tracks, 'Joybringer' & 'Father Of Day, Father OfNight' (Edited Version). Nine tracks total. 1998 CreatureMusic Ltd. release.

Album Details

Remastered Version with Unreleased Bonus Tracks.

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic progressive hard rock.......2006-04-22

I have been aware of Manfred Mann for a long time, thanks to the endless cycling of his smash hit remake of Springsteen's "Blinded by the Light" on classic rock radio stations here in Massachusetts. Although I was a little uncertain, the positive reviews of Solar Fire by other proggers, the Gustav Holst-ish Planets theme, and the album cover art (which depicts a very cool star field) were far too much to resist. The Solar Fire album was released in 1973 and features great keyboardist Manfred Mann himself (Hammond organ, mellotron, mini-moog); along with a cast of very good musicians including Colin Pattenden (Rickenbacker bass); Chris Slade (drums); and Mick Rogers (guitars, lead vocals). In addition, there are occasional backup vocals provided by Doreen and Irene Chamber. The opening track is a 9'53" prog remake of Bob Dylan's, Father of Day, Father of Night, which is really terrific and sets the tone for the rest of the album. The other tracks feature well-played proggy hard rock (In the Beginning, Darkness), excellent instrumentals (Pluto the Dog; Saturn, Lord of the Ring/Mercury the Winged Messenger), along with all around well-played hard prog (the rest of the album). Although musicologist Edward Macan has referred to this band as "unclassifiable", there are distinct musical styles that dominate the album including progressive rock and hard rock, although there is some space rock too. In fact, some of Deep Purple's proggier moments come to mind, although the music on Solar Fire is a little more complicated and proggier. There is great melodic and harmonic development, not to mention excellent dynamic contrast. For me, the trebly Rickenbacker bass work of Colin Pattenden, along with the banks of analog synthesizers used by Manfred really make this album work. In fact, synthesizers are used all over the album. The remastered CD is very good and features great sound quality along with copious liner notes. The track listing on this album is as it originally appeared in 1973, with both Earth Circle Parts 1 and 2 included. The bonus tracks include the very pleasant and poppy Joybringer, which was an adaptation of Holst's Jupiter: Bringer of Jollity released on the progressive Vertigo label, in addition to an edited version of Father of Night, Father of Day. All in all, I would have to highly recommend this album to anybody interested in progressive hard rock.

Manfred the moogy Mann.......2002-11-26

''Solar Fire'' sounds pretty much 70's, kinda heavy progressive---and a bit jazzy---without too much artifice. Mann's "trademark" sound we hear on his other albums is there : "Darkness", the second track, makes efficient use of keyboards, including a spacey organ that expands the atmospheric feel. The whole album, from the rebuilt "Father of Day" (Dylan) to "Earth the Circle", shows Manfred Mann's ability to focus on good, steady music making. Rogers, Slade and Pattenden were perfect mates for M.M. ; the original Earth Band, as this album shows, was creative and inspired, more so than in subsequent lineups---although a part of the "recent" material is equally excellent. The evolution in the course of Manfred Mann's distinctive career, since the late 1950's, shifted "progressively" toward an extensive use of moog and synthesizers during the 1970's. The Earth Band's epoch further advanced his own exploration for the possibilities of some electronic instruments (thus, the progressive sound following the late 60's psychedelic sound of previous albums ; for example, some titles from 'Chapter Two' and 'Chapter Three'). ''Solar Fire'' comprises a few incendiary moments, such as the middle section and closure of the Dylan song, as well as the last couple of minutes of "The Winged Messenger" (armed to the teeth with iron-fisted guitar solos hammering like a hard-rock frenzy). The rather strange "Pluto the Dog" is entertaining and musically challenging. The few sections inspired by Holst's `The Planets` are another special trait of this album. The title track is a classic, accented by earthly left-right vocals : We're living in the age of stereo, isn't it! The same sort of left-right stereo effect was dynamically used with fine results for a dueling guitar dialogue in "Darkness". The music abounds with fire, energy and a sort of combustive strength. This is one of the finest progressive rock albums of the 70's and one of the best LPs created by Manfred Mann.*****

Matches the best of ELP and Pink Floyd.......2002-01-08

Well, I just thought six 5 star reviews for Solar Fire is way too little, so I gave a "Yes helpful" count to all of you six reviewers (hey nice), and add this review of my own.
Many a man only knows Manfred Mann from his early 60's hits like
Pretty Flamingo, Ha ha said the clown (which are fine when you're in the right mood). But boy what a revelation is Solar Fire!!
This space odyssey hasn't one dull moment, the guitars and
synthesizers are just perfect: wild enough but never over the top
as can be e.g. YES, Greenslade, or King Crimson. This piece of art is in the same league as ELP's Tarkus and Pink Floyd's
Dark side of the moon, and that's no easy feat!
This record adds to the quality of life.

Darkness in the Beginning..........2001-11-16

Solar Fire... A MUST for any Rock 'n Roll fan. I had the pleasure to listen to this LP for the first time like 22 years ago. Then, the LP just disappeared from my archives. Though, never from my mind. If you haven't listened to it... Buy it!!! you won't regret.

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