Manfred Mann's Earth Band- The Road to Babylon (First Listen)

Hey there, welcome to my channel! I hope you enjoy my clean content as I listen to music and bands I'm unfamiliar with, or digging deeper into. Stick around with me and maybe we can all discover some new music together. Let me know YOUR thoughts on the song and leave me your suggestions as well.
If you enjoy the daily videos and would like to help me support and grow the channel:
Patreon: / justjpofficial
Paypal: paypal.me/justjp2019?locale.x...
Twitter: / heyitsjustjp
Email: [e-mail]
Song Link: • Manfred Mann's Earth B...

[@ulrichbehnke9656]

I became a fan as a young man in the late 70 years and was sampling the Wohle discography of the Earh Band. What astonished me is that every new LP surprised me with a different sound . Manfred Mann is not a great composer of melodys but an extraordinary arranger. He worked month on every song in the studio, mixed overdubs, tried out endlessy different versions and this effort made the perfect result. He is now over 80 and still on Tour. To the songtext: I think it‘s about the bible story of the „turret of babylon“ and about the Rembrandt painting „the man with the golden helmet“ - a symbol of war.

[@techprofessor]

One of my favorite prog rock songs the classical beginning leading into the guitars, bass and strong vocal story

[@HippoYnYGlaw]

never heard this b4. epic channel™️ epic song

[@dennispope1355]

Many fans of "Blinded by the Light" don't realize how progressive this band is. Albums like Solar Fire" , "The Good Earth" and "Messin" are fantastic prog events. They are another under appreciated band. They are definately an essential group for fans of adventurous music. Nice to see you react to this band.

[@DonFormica]

That entire album is fire. The album "Watch" and "Angel Station" are also awesome.

[@bobholtzmann]

Nice deep cut from Manfred Mann - he came a long way from "Doo Wa Diddy". An epic milestone - 13K - congrats!

[@martymead]

Really glad you liked this song. Earth Band is one of the great prog bands of the 70s. My fav albums are The Good Earth & Nightingales & Bombers. Please check out Give me the good earth next. I know you will love it!!

[@kilgh]

"Somewhere in Africa" their 80s album when they recruited New Zealand artist Shona Laing on vocals is a favourite for me. Apparently it caused some issues as she did such a good job on some of the lead vocals but wouldn't be touring with them live. They had to change the key of one of the big tracks as Chris Thompson was struggling with it. But they finally seemed to really incorporate their South African heritage into their music on that LP.

[@BeeBumper]

I was like the only dude in my high-school 1986 to play this on regular rotation, converted a few. Spirits in the night is great as well. Manfred Man are really interesting as they always do covers and their own music and it is always a unique experience. Ps Manfred Mann will be 81 this year

[@progmeup]

And there's promise of a new Earth Band album!

[@masterofparsnips5327]

Not heard this before .. only ever heard the album "Somewhere in Africa" before ... nice !! I like it 😊

[@periaadoc]

Well, Another Great band. The Album "Watch" has a lot of great hits. I love the Album " Somwhere in Africa". Last a sidenote. The album "The Good Earth" was a LP and if you bought it you also bought a LP-Sized of land somewhere in the UK. And yes, They are prog, good prog.

[@genecase9464]

From back in the day when you would actually sit down and "listen" to music. The whole album in one sitting. Now days people just don't get it.

[@scifimonkey3]

The roaring silence is a really good album to work through. Many congratulations on 13K. Looking forward to TFTO.

[@JustJP]

Ty!

[@richard-yz6cz]

it was so great to be young in the 70s

[@mickcapewell6369]

13k! Nice one 👍 MMEB...very underrated band. Try their version of Dylan’s Father of Day Father of Night, or Joybringer, or their cover of Mike Heron’s great song, Sing the Dolphins Through 👍

[@joemaurone7923]

Manfred Mann/Manfred Mann's Earth Band is such a weird band to wrap one's head around, at first. There are 3 songs that got major airplay that they're known for: "Do Wah Diddy Diddy", "The Might Quinn", and "Blinded By the Light". All 3 sounded like they were by different bands, of 3 different kinds of pop from 3 different eras. When I finally delved into their catalog somewhat recently, I was amazed at how diverse it was, a little all over the place, a little prog even, but very interesting and good. I'm partial to their cover of the very-often covered "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue", and "Joybringer" (which is an adaption of "Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity" from Holst's THE PLANETS suite, from the classical music world. They would quote classical music often, actually, and did many interesting covers.)

[@keithjones6023]

Andrew Gold did a great job with his version of Do Wah Diddy Diddy 👍

[@gaiaeternal5131]

MM also had a jazz combo called Chapter Three: even more variety.

[@atlen.3130]

MM and MMEB were two very different bands, from different time epochs. One can easily dislike MM and love MMEB.

[@brucer2152]

WOw...actually doing a reaction to a song I suggested!!! woooot!

[@JustJP]

😁

[@brucebrown73]

I love it when band’s float and fade in and out of instrumental into vocals in such a balanced manner

[@JustJP]

Agreed!

[@melissakhalar1842]

Love Manfred Mann.

[@keithjones6023]

This is a great album, quite diverse in it's content. I initially bought it as it included the superb version of Blinded by the Light, but was impressed by the whole album. Some good stuff on the album Watch as well.

[@DocRock71]

Havent listened to this gem from my youth in at least 5 years. Just great! Really love everything off of Angel Station album too. Just a great band all around!

[@porflepopnecker4376]

Wow! Can't believe you reacted to one of my favorite little-known songs! Here's my parody of it entitled "Frankie Avalon": By the waters, the waters of Malibu We hung ten and wiped out Wrapped round thee, pylon Weenies, embers, weenies, embers Wee wahine*, sing thy song A greased hair helmet, molded waves Among ten thousand chicks Surrounding Frankie Avalon A boyish face he never shaves Amazing lack of whiskers Found on Frankie Avalon Yeah yeah yeah Beneath that greased hair helmet Yeah yeah yeah There's the baby face we know Yeah yeah yeah A dese and dose Apollo A frozen pizza o'er the fire Hamburgers, mounds of chips A bun for Frankie Avalon A golden crooner, tunes decry For those who pray for silence None from Frankie Avalon Yeah yeah yeah Behold the young beachcomber Yeah yeah yeah Who screams the mangled song Yeah yeah yeah Verklempting** girls who follow [musical interlude] By the waters, the waters of Malibu Hunted men and found one Wrapped round thee, pylon Teeny velveteen bikini Wee wahine, sing thy song A sprayed hair helmet, future spouse Annette has found her Mister Right in Frankie Avalon A golden virgin till the vows No tongue until her wedding Night with Frankie Avalon Yeah yeah yeah Beware that double whammy Yeah yeah yeah There's no beach where you will go Yeah yeah yeah No freebie love tomorrow

[@progmeup]

"A frozen pizza o'er the fire " Genius!

[@gaiaeternal5131]

Hi, JP. Dave from London where Snowflakes are Dancing. Great choice and a brilliant reaction. I love Manfred Mann's 60s pop classics as well as the very-much-prog Earth Band. This for me is their strongest album, and I really like this song. Excellent use of the choir, and Chris Thompson was one of the greatest rock singers around at the time. You'll love Manfred's synth playing on other tracks like Starbird and Waiter there's a Yawn in my Ear. Saw them live on the Roaring Silence tour, as well as supporting Focus a few years earlier; both fantastic shows. Congrats BTW on 13k; looking forward to Toppers!

[@rickardlinde4936]

Hey! Just found your channel and I love it. So impressed by your way to express what you hear and feel about the music. Keep up the good work! I'll be back with some request, but first I have a lot of videos to go thru.

[@JustJP]

Ty so so much Rickard!

[@tonyetchells6051]

Congrats on getting the 13K! I love their song Joybringer which was their first UK hit.

[@JustJP]

Ty Tony!

[@gelsol]

Manfred Mann Chapter Three (his band before Earth Band) has some great tracks, too

[@jimimurti]

Congrats 13K! Great band MME band!

[@user-zu6pb4og6f]

Отличная группа, великолепные песни , года, голоса. Лучшая... 💕💕💕

[@scottcolman9757]

Excellent. Great album 😎👍🏻

[@silvertube52]

Manfred Mann was originally leader of a 60's pop band from the English invasion era. He basically formed a new band to do progressive rock, so he called it Manfred Mann's Earth Band. Not a lot of bands made that transition.

[@progmeup]

Not to mention the jazz-rock interim band Manfred Mann Chapter Three.

[@jameswarner5809]

Nice one, Justin. Another great album. My favourite track is Starbird which features an epic (there's that word again) call and response duel between keyboards and guitar in five time.

[@RoverT65536]

I've enjoyed their album Plains Music a good few times. It's great for creating a mellow daytime mood.

[@davelafferty5728]

Love this song. I suggest a deep dive into their albums Solar Fire and Nightingales and Bombers. They were the two albums prior to The Roaring Silence.

[@dhewitt5128]

And The Good Earth between those two....

[@willykruijntjens7172]

Congrats on 13 k subscribers. Eagerly waiting for Topographic Oceans! 👍

[@davidlane1169]

'Ole audiophile to J.P.: The last several years, I've wanted you to review one of my favorite acts. I used to believe most folks had forgotten him & his glorious music. It had started to fade from existence here & elsewhere. Now here we are at the very precipice & somebody, somewhere inserted this song in your head. My mother always taught me when one has nothing nice to say, say nothing. I'm still trying to figure out after all these years how this song ever came to the forefront. Had you even considered a wonderous selection like "Earth Hymn" from 'The Good Earth' album? No, most folks are not nearly patient enough to hear the song to conclusion, where it eventually becomes earth shaking. Bla...

[@bobholtzmann]

Listening to this reminded me of REO Speedwagon in the early 70s, during their progressive days. I always liked "Golden Country" from REO/Two, BUT THEN ....... I looked at the songs from their first album REO Speedwagon (1971), and checked out the last song, a 10 minute one, called ...... "Dead At Last" ----- an amazing track ----- JP, you've got to do this one!

[@bobholtzmann]

I'm serious about "Dead At Last" by REO --- amazing, awesome, progressive song - it delivers on everything!

[@chewbaccabooberry]

I've always enjoyed this song and this album. That is all. End of post.

[@joemaurone7923]

That vocal line from the little snippet that was highlighted in review at 11:40: stopped me in my tracks. I sounded so familiar, and it got stuck in my head, and I had to know what it was reminded me of...reviewing my iTunes list for a few minutes and PRESTO: the opening verse to "Horses in My Dream" by P.J. Harvey. Whew. Earworm crisis avoided. Now I can get back to work.

[@lynnsmith3976]

Oh my Justin, Congrats on 13,000! I have been a fan of Manfred Mann since Do Wah Diddy. Thanks for this.

[@JustJP]

Ty so much Lynn!

[@lynnsmith3976]

@@JustJP You're very welcome, I have been telling all my friends who are still kicking about your reactions which have such depth and shows your love of music, So thank you.

[@jonsey156]

Another First for me - Pretty awesome !!

[@inckyprog6924]

I'm not that familiar with Manfred Mann's Earth Band, but one of their most successful songs is definitely "Davy's On The Road Again" (very catchy, but also awesome ). I found "The Road to Babylon" much more surprising and exciting in comparison.

[@progmeup]

Are you familiar with the album version of Davy's on the Road Again? Radio stations only play the edit which misses out all the good bits. The LP cut has one of Manfred's best synth solos over a tremendous rocking shuffle groove.

[@blackcatcentralmusic]

Great underrated band. Others will disagree but I think their re-arranged cover songs overshadow their original material. Dylan's "Father of Day, Father of Night" is another great cover. All of the '70s albums are worth listening to. After "Roaring Silence" hit big on the strength of "Blinded By the Light" the followup album "Watch" should have been a hit but was not in the States. A shame. "Solar Fire", "The Good Earth", and "Messin'" are good albums. "Nightingales and Bombers" is very good and also has a Springsteen cover.

[@markspooner1224]

What a great track! This is one of my 3 favourite MMEB albums along with Solar Fire and Nightingales & Bombers. I have a real soft spot for The Good Earth and Messin' too. Thanks for this JP, great stuff!

[@ProgMannen]

Agree. My fav albums is Messin' and Solar Fire, but i also really like The Good Earth ans Nightingales & Bombers. The same as u but in a slightly different order. Still MMEB is among my all time favourite bands...

[@markspooner1224]

@@ProgMannen By tomorrow I'll have probably changed my order 😊

[@iurygreghi103]

Congratulations on getting 13k followers! I'm so looking forward to watching the TFTO analysis 😍

[@JustJP]

Ty so much Lury!

[@mariobaert8346]

Good choice. This is my favourite MM album. Regularly played.

[@wowwhywow]

You have about 100 Songs by Manfred Mann to discover... not just the Earth Band... his OTHER groups are interesting as well, and if you include those groups, then... well you have about 200 songs to discover, but of those first 100 from the Earth Band... there's about 75 GREAT songs and 25 good ones... AND STARBIRD IS INCREDIBLE... you should check it out.

[@Shamris]

Great song and great album. Another album of theirs that I didn't see mentioned in the comments is Angel Station. I still listen to it more than any other of MMEB.

[@jonsmith9518]

Congrats on 13k! Can’t wait for Topographic. How about some Rainbow...I personally love the Dio era of Rainbow but would recommend checking out a song called “Eyes Of the World” which has Graham Bonnet (Ex-Alcatraz, Ex-Michael Schenker Group), on vocals. Blackmore has a nice solo in it and it also features Cozy Powell on Drums, Roger Glover on Bass and Don Airey on keys. ....Or you can cover some more Marillion. Once again...Congrats!

[@falcongal63]

I don’t know this song and barely know the band, but I like it so much better than MMEB’s radio hits. If they have more like this I’m down to hear it. Btw Don Mclean does a version of Babylon that he sings in a round with himself just with acoustic guitar. Very pretty.

[@progmeup]

I'd say they do, even if this one is a standout in a couple of ways. Keep in mind that almost all their radio hits are heavily edited down from the LP versions, and often lose the best parts (eg the guitar and synth solos in Davy's on the Road Again, the whole middle bit in Blinded by the Light, the guitar solo in For You...)

[@JeromeDukes]

I'm with you with my limited knowledge of this band. I love their song BBtL, which btw is a karaoke tongue twister. They are one of those bands where you may know a song or two of theirs songs but never knew the band name. I also know there's a connection to Rush, I think Rush opened for them in their early years. I was digg'n some of this tune with the bass and that guitar solo. I love that sound you get when you add a wah wah effect to your solo, kinda funky and psychedelic. Nice choice.

[@progmeup]

Yeah, listen to the Nightingales & Bombers album and you'll hear influences for several Rush tunes in there, e.g. Xanadu and Tom Sawyer. Few people pick up on this little factoid.

[@maraboo72]

In teh 60ies his band was named just "Manfred Mann" and they were more known for good chartfood. After founding the Earth Band in the early 70ies he said that finally he could leave the stage with head held high and this band had a great success. What is absolutely ok. I saw them twice: first time with Chris Thompson and second with Noel Calla on vocals. Manfred Mann is one of those who know how to cover a song. All of them wear the seal "Manfred Mann". Maybe with his cover versions of some Springsteen songs he pushed his career a little bit because he made the songs famous. Another one beside "Blinded by the light" is "For You" that immediately comes to my mind. At least in Europe these songs were better known before Springsteen himself. He was one of the first musicians to use a Minimoog. That's why Uriah Heep invited him to play a solo on "July Morning" which is one of their finest.

[@indyfastal]

Had this as an 8 track in '76, then an LP in '81& record on a cassette, now it sit in a place of honor in my CD collection. Never get tired of it...

[@marques04rj]

Since you have the LP, could you please answer a question that intrigues me? At the end of the song I was expecting an outro or a fade out, but the song ends suddenly. Is it actually how the original song is or is it a failure on the version that is available on internet?

[@indyfastal]

@@marques04rj That is how it ends every copy I have...

[@damonramirez]

Don't be fooled, Manfred Mann can cut loose!! He is underrated as a keyboardist in my opinion.

[@mickcapewell6369]

His ‘guest starring’ Moog solo on Uriah Heep’s epic July Morning is ample evidence 👍

[@damonramirez]

@@mickcapewell6369 Yes!! Absolutely!!

[@progmeup]

@@mickcapewell6369 And that was when he had only started to explore the possibilities of the Moog. Once he added the filter (1976 I think?) he turned into my favourite keyboard player ever. He makes the synth sing and cry. And he does not look silly playing the keytar!

[@jaybird4093]

I like the videos you make of bands that I’ve heard of but never listened to (like this one). It helps me understand why these bands never caught on with me. This song was not bad. The vocals are pretty good and there are elements that remind me of Alan Parsons. Sotto Voce - You’re Italian is getting pretty good. Maybe it’s time to start planning another trip! 🇮🇹🍝🍕

[@JustJP]

Ty! Trying to have some variety😁 I think ill definitely need a little trip when things are opened up😄

[@robmongar]

Watch is a fantastic L.P.

[@MrKeefdave]

Listen to Singing The Dolphin Through, it's awesome.

[@joanbounacos8958]

"Chance" was a good album, especially "Lies through the 80's" and "For You". So happy for you to reach 13k! Can't wait for Tales this weekend! ❤️ 💙

[@JustJP]

Ty so much Joan!

[@joanbounacos8958]

@@JustJP I'm gonna make a request again for "The Point" by Harry Nilsson. It's a short album, but SO cool! 😎😍

[@anthonyblakely399]

Roaring Silence is a critically acclaimed album music masterpiece!!!! One of my favorite Rock bands!!! I have the album, "Love it!" Explore the rest of the album...It is a concept album. Listen to Star Bird!!!

[@williambradley6736]

Suggest, "Davey's on the Road Again" from Watch. Honestly, the whole album is very listenable.

[@progmeup]

Davy rocks! Also one of the best synth solos ever to boot.

[@brucebrown73]

What a pleasant surprise. Loved that. You will seriously love Loggins and Messina. Keep me in Mind, Move On, Fever Dream, Crazy Eyes, Pathway to Glory are amazing

[@maruad7577]

Manfred Mann is the king of covers IMO. From "Do Wah Diddy" to "Mighty Quinn" to "Blinded by the Light". Even their 1982 hit "Eyes of Nostradamus" was written by Al Stewart (my favourite by him is "On The Border"). Manfred Mann was a bit of a chameleon, with the band's style changing over time. It is not surprising this is a well made and decent song. These guys are solid if not ground breaking (though they tend to follow not too far behind the plow). Good review. I appreciate the deep dives into more obscure but good (even great) music that has been forgotten by most. p.s. Have you covered any Thomas Dolby? I assume you are familiar with "She Blinded Me With Science" but there are some good songs on Flat Earth and Aliens Ate My Buick. i.e. Hyperactive.

[@HippoYnYGlaw]

Well well well, see JP! , let's get side one on pronto... no! take yer time there's no rush.... I've become one of the Dissidents like tiny insects on the palm of history ... no hurry up jp b4 it's too late!

[@maruad7577]

@@HippoYnYGlaw I would love me some Dissidents and Hyperactive and I scared myself... On the next album, I love Budapest by Blimp.

[@ursine55]

Try a track called The Runner. Came out as a 10"extended single. Also the LP Somewhere in Africa. Several great tracks plus a suite of tracks called the Africa suite. I believe Manfred is South African. It includes Trevor Rabin on guitar.

[@kilgh]

This track sounds a lot like the Somewhere in Africa album. I loved the female New Zealand vocalist they had on that LP. Changed up their sound nicely.

[@jamespaivapaiva4460]

'There She Goes, Justin walking down the street,singing doo wah diddy'! Congratulations on 13k, don't be blinded by the light of your success,or you will treadmill to Babylon! Peace. Manfred Man.

[@keithjones6023]

Your comment reminded me of the song Do Wah Diddy Diddy, I'm thinking of the Andrew Gold version, always loved his rendition 😉

[@jamespaivapaiva4460]

@@keithjones6023 That's right! Doo Wah Diddy' was Manfred Mann's first hit. Nice catch!Peace.

[@keithjones6023]

@@jamespaivapaiva4460 👍

[@JustJP]

Ty James!🤣

[@jamespaivapaiva4460]

@@JustJP On your way to 15k,diddy,dum,diddy,doo!

[@tonyanderton3521]

Joybringer would be another good MMEB song for you to do, Justin. The song does, indeed, bring joy.

[@philipchambers4165]

Manfred Mann's Earth Band - at last! The album is perhaps their best, in my view, and shows every aspect of their music. One of the reasons, I think, they haven't received the attention and praise they deserve is that they tend to include a lot of 'covers' on their albums. 'The Road to Babylon' is one of their own. For pure musical joy my favourite track is 'Waiter There's A Yawn In My Ear'. Every track is different but they all sound like MMEB - similar to ELO and Led Zeppelin in that respect.

[@davidbarker77]

Congrats on 13K. Looking forward to TFTO! This was a first listen to me. A really enjoyable tune.

[@JustJP]

Thanks David!

[@87Morfy]

Pura vida JP! Saludos desde Costa Rica! I would like to recommend you this album Peliculas - La Maquina de Hacer Pajaros (late 70s) This album is from an Argentinian super group with Charly Garcia, which is a living legend here in South and Central America. They claimed to be the Yes of the third world

[@thomasklempin542]

"For You" was on the radio back in the day. Not too much analysis should be involved.lol

[@filetknife5916]

"Solar Fire" is a great album of his!

[@Drummingvulture]

13K! Congratulations to the best reaction channel on KZbin! I love this song/album. This era of MMEB is their most proggish and interesting. 'Nightingales & Bombers' and 'Solar Fire' are much in this vein, too. Much of their other stuff is very good, also. But there are some stinkers mixed in with the tasty tunes.

[@ProgMannen]

Not to forget Messin'... also one of their great albums

[@JustJP]

Ty DV!

[@Drummingvulture]

@@JustJP: I'm really looking forward to you hearing "Topographic Oceans". Some fans think there's a bit too much meandering going on. I like to think of it as they're stretching out beyond the previous three (studio) albums, even "Close To The Edge". I really LOVE "Ritual". It's a fun way to welcome Alan White into the band.

[@jamiegagnon6390]

These guys were a bit of an enigma. They produced a lot of great and varied hits; 5-4-3-3-1, Fox on the Run, The Mighty Quinn, Doo Wah Diddy, etc.and were among the top bands for successful singles, but the albums (both under this name and the original 'Manfred Mann') tended to be all over the place. There just never seemed to be an identity you could pin on them. I think, in the instance of this band, that the AM radio format actually did a fair job of sorting the wheat from the chaff and most of their best cuts were successful, while a lot of so-so material was ignored.

[@progmeup]

Actually I was pleasantly surprised when I heard some of the 60s band's deeper cuts. I much prefer "Bare Hugg" or "The Abominable Snowmann" to "Do Wah Diddy" or "Sha La La"

[@scotstevens5263]

Great song. I used to listen to this back in the 70’s. Waiter, there’s a yawn in my ear. Try Manfred Mans Earth Band “The Good Earth” Lp.

[@proglight3041]

Great reaction! I was wondering if you have listened to Antony Kalugin’s newest solo album Marshmallow Moondust? It’s a symphonic prog album that consists of two 20 minute epics entitled Marshmallow, and Moondust. The album is totally solo with every instrument being played and composed by Antony. Antony Kalugin is also the creative mind behind Karfagen in addition to a few other projects. I’d love to hear your opinions on this album, it was probably one of my favorite albums of 2020. Keep up the great reactions!

[@ithaliem]

Solar Fire is their most progressive album, some great tunes there. For example, side B as a whole! Absolutely worth listening to. And congrats for the 13K!

[@JustJP]

Ty!

[@saradonnelly8582]

That's a thumbs up from me..👍..congrats on 13k, I know it's actually really quite hard to hit that figure..

[@JustJP]

Ty so much Sara!

[@brucer2152]

Off the same album...if you want to hear the BEST sax solo EVER "Singing the Dolphin Through". Do it next JP!!!!

[@keithhider2170]

Slightly tangential thought, you should also listen to Hold Your Head UP by Argent from 1972. Listen to the long version (>6 minutes) which includes a Hammond organ solo which, according to Wikipedia, Rick Wakeman once described as "the greatest organ solo ever". I'm not sure what Keith Emerson fans would say about that or that I agree but it is a good rock anthem song.

[@gaiaeternal5131]

I believe Rick and Rod Argent are mates, so Keith fans might say, 'well, he would say that'! There's no denying that it's a brilliant solo and a great song.

[@HippoYnYGlaw]

Used to scare the socks off me as a young boy “And if they scream ..just let them... burn? close? their eyes oooh oohh ooohhh? ” too intense for me at the time. . Thought I’d heard the last of it!

[@derekmeade6350]

Really good album. I do recommend the album version of Blinded By The Light, which is quite a lot longer and more interesting than the radio edit that you will know. I also recommend Singing The Dolphin Through for a lovely ballad with one of the craziest sax solos around as a coda!

[@progmeup]

Waiter! There's a yawn in my 👂!

[@bryanforis1839]

You should play the song. Runner 🏃‍♀️ they for the nfl and the Olympic and the movie Philadelphia experiment and lots of movies like stripes with bill Murray

[@keithhider2170]

Okay, so, just because you haven't heard it, you should listen to Joybringer - loosely based on Jupiter the Bringer of Jollity from Gustav Holst's Planets Suite. This was a big singles hit for MMEB in the 70s.

[@realbser1956]

I remember buying this album because of BlInded by the Light. I vaguely remember the rest of the album so it was good to hear this again. Earlier hits in the mid 60’s were The Mighty Quinn and Doo Wah Diddy Diddy, more pop than Prog.

[@scottcolman9757]

Runner, For You,, Mighty Quinn the Eskimo.

[@a.k.1740]

Yes, it's a great song from a good album ! you could also try the track "Time Is Right" from the album Nightingales & Bombers (1975)

[@murdockreviews]

Haven't heard this one either - quite interesting what they made out of the material. "Joybringer" has been mentioned as another track to go to. "For You" was another of their FM-hits (and also originally by Springsteen, I think).

[@bartstarr100]

Bruce Springsteen provided them with lyrics to 3 hits. For You. Spirits in the Night. The aforementioned Blinded by the Light.

[@progmeup]

Manfred is an amazing keyboardist (the solo in the next song "This Side of Paradise" attests to it), Dave Flett is great on guitar (lots of wah-wah here), but yep, to me the real star of this song is Chris Thompson... I mean... "THE EMPTY SOUND OF SORROW!!!!!" What a voice! 😮 One oddity of Manfred's production is, I believe, the ending is just a copy/paste of the first verse... and then it breaks off with an abrupt segue into the next song! Although it was before Chris' joining as a vocalist, I think you should also give a listen to "Father of Day, Father of Night" off the Solar Fire album. That was the direct precursor of this song (with the choir intro) and it's still regarded as one of the finest prog offerings from MMEB (though a case could be made for their crazier instrumentals). Considering they turned a 1-minute Dylan song into a 10-minute monument, well... And speaking of Dylan songs, their hi-energy take on "Mighty Quinn" from the WATCH album (1978) simply rules. It's nothing like the 1968 hit version! Other notes: I don't think Barbara Thompson played on this song (she's on "Singing the Dolphin Through"), but there is a horn chorus, I think featuring actual brass. Manfred is kind of the band leader but he became a famous name by accident... his 60s pop band was initially called Mann-Hugg Blues Brothers but the label decided to simply call it Manfred Mann, which led to all kinds of confusion because he was never the frontman. Still, he's mainly the one who keeps it all together, and aside from his keyboard sounds it's his skill of (often) taking songs by other writers and heavily arranging them that's been the common trait throughout the Earth Band's existence, which has otherwise been a bit of a revolving door as far as line-ups are concerned. Chris Slade later drummed in AC/DC... twice! And as somebody has pointed out elsewhere, "And wept for these i am" should actually be "and wept for thee, Zion". Makes more sense.

[@Divedown_25]

Lightning good. Where is Pichachu though :-) Manfred Mans Earthband was on my turntable in the 70s. Had that LP

[@JustJP]

⚡

[@michaelbochnia5686]

Nice chin beard yo! Let it grow out a few years. Funky..... Like the pick on Manfred as well. I saw you reviewed Teacher from Benefit, when is the whole album going to come out?

[@geoffw913]

Solar Fire... Now that is a heavy/prog Rock album...

[@user-zu6pb4og6f]

Послушайте Ярослава Дронова( Шаман) 🌿 Танцы на стекле, в Невесомости, исповедь... SHAMAN

[@gp8209]

Great album! Ever getting back to Gaucho??

[@JustJP]

Probably 😅

[@RayRay-ot5xd]

One of the few songs you’ve reacted to which didn’t do much for me. I enjoyed them back in the day but were never in heavy rotation. I did like how the chorus was sung 😅

[@jayburdification]

Okay, I knew this as a Don McLean song.

[@seworley1]

did research years ago about blinded by the light ..... originally written and recorded by Bruce Springsteen and names " Spirit in the Night " look up meaning of .... very interesting ... madman drummer, was Bruce's drummer that they called madman .... etc, etc ........ reading this is like reading meaning of American Pie , by Don McClain

[@seworley1]

also, discovered that Manfred Mann is the quiet keyboard player, not the lead front man of the band

[@seworley1]

also, you are like most people in that the only thing we have ever heard is blinded by the light ..... a one hit wonder and they did not even write it ..... and yet they have like a gojillion albums

[@richsalm7474]

Great choice from an excellent album. You really should try some Wishbone Ash. Lorelei is a good starter.

[@snowdog87]

Congrats Justin Well deserved 13k Good album Band with a lot of upside potential Not able to sustain the momentum

[@JustJP]

Ty!

[@bazeye]

Given that you really like this song I would check out a band called Midlake, this track sounds just like them.

[@falcongal63]

I totally dig Midlake’s album The Trials of Van Occupanther. It’s so atmospheric!

[@pepegarcia8389]

lee los créditos en la parte trasera, en la banda colaboró Bruce Springsteen

[@tamaspolyak5564]

13K!

[@JustJP]

😃

[@lancecornell9978]

Sweet. MMEB has achieved the status of most misunderstood lyrics on Blinded...you on achieving 13k

[@JustJP]

Ty Lance!