The stage was set, a large bright yellow backdrop depicting silhouettes of band members hung boldly displaying their name as the audience waited; for those who don’t know, The Manfreds, is an amalgamation of 1960’s pop group Manfred Mann members, formed in 1992. Lead singer, Paul Jones left Manfred Mann in 1966 and Mike D’Abo continued the string of hits until 1969 when the band split.
As the band walked onto the stage a swell of appreciation rose as lead singer, Paul Jones called out ‘Five, Four, Three, Two, One’ and the mesmeric sounds of his harmonica hit the air. Immediately this reviewer was transported back to the Sixties when the song was a hit record for Manfred Mann and was the opening tune for the iconic TV programme, Ready Steady Go! the coolest pop music programme on TV at the time; images of miniskirts, knee high boots and mullets flooded my mind.
Jones’s harmonica playing is immaculate, his voice is note-perfect and his appearance belies his age; along with fellow Manfred Mann member, Tom McGuiness and ex Manfred Mann lead singer, Mike D’Abo, the three are all 80 years plus and the majority of the audience watching them would have been teenagers in the Sixties, most of the audience being of the grey and white hair brigade but there were some younger exceptions who sang along, word perfect to the array of hits from 1963-1969 which were performed.
Along with Jones, D’Abo took centre stage on keyboards throughout as they took turns to entertain; D’Abo firstly with ‘Fox On The Run’ featuring a beautiful solo saxophone segment from Simon Currie, followed by comic numbers ‘Ha Ha Said The Clown’ and ‘The Greta Garbo Home For Wayward Boys And Girls’ featuring an intro from fellow keyboard player, Mike Gorman.
Jones then took the lead on a jazzy version of ‘Oh No Not My Baby’ followed by D’Abo with ‘Semi Detached Suburban Mr James’, followed by the ever popular, ‘Pretty Flamingo’ with Jones and ‘Mr Ragamuffin Man’ with D’Abo.
Laid-back lead guitarist, Tom McGuiness’s career was highlighted as Jones explained that they all had separate careers away from the band and were successful in their own right; McGuiness highlighted his 1970 collaboration with Hugh Flint, forming the duo McGuiness Flint and sang one of their successful hits, ‘When I’m Dead And Gone’.
Jones sang the haunting Howling Wolf hit, ‘Smokestack Lightening’ featuring him on harmonica; his vocals are amazing and his harmonica playing flawless, and it brought the house down.
An acoustic section was featured after the interval, all members seated on stage. Jones opened with a song he’d written sixty years ago, ‘Without You’. This was followed by a beautiful ballad arrangement of the hit made popular by The Foundations, written and performed by D’Abo, ‘Build Me Up Buttercup’. D’Abo later performed the same song in the original version which had everyone joining in and clapping; audience participation was encouraged by both Jones and D’Abo with everyone singing along to all the songs performed.
Jones’s rendition of ‘Bad, Bad Boy’ made popular from the film he appeared in, ‘Privilege’ in 1967 was superb, his voice is faultless, and his bluesy version of Bob Dylan’s ‘If You Gotta Go, Go Now’ with Simon Currie on clarinet was flawless. D’Abo followed with another of Dylan’s numbers, ‘Just Like A Woman’.
D’Abo’s ‘Handbags And Gladrags’ was given the due recognition it deserves; D’Abo wrote it whilst in his twenties when he was lead singer with Manfred Mann in 1967 and it has enjoyed much success with hits by Rod Stewart, Stereophonics and Guns ‘N Roses.
Mike Gorman led on keyboards on ‘Mr Watermelon Man’ and drummer Pete Riley and bassist Marcus Cliffe were featured in solos.
Jones excelled singing the haunting, ‘Come Tomorrow’ and reached high notes seamlessly; another Dylan favourite followed ‘The Mighty Quinn’, and the performance ended with the ever popular, ‘Do Wah Diddy’ which had everyone joining in and asking for more.
Their encore was ‘Hi Lili Hi Low’, an unusual choice but one which was meaningful for the band, first recorded in the sixties.
Overall, sixty years on, The Manfreds’ music still retains a timeless quality; this UK tour, celebrates a remarkable sixty years as one of Britain’s most respected bands and marks the last opportunity for fans to see both original frontmen, Jones, and D’Abo on tour together. Including Jones, this band boasts three octogenarians, Paul is unbelievably, eighty one.
Jones’s harmonica skills are celebrated within the music industry; he demonstrates how the harmonica is an incredible instrument in the hands of a master; additionally, his knowledge of music, particularly The Blues, is on record as incredible and he has received numerous awards in that field. His voice and persona carry the show, it just wouldn’t be the same without him.
D'Abo’s talents lie mainly in his songwriting but his unique personality shines through on stage; he has a fun personality and fabulous rapport with band members and audience alike.
McGuinness is always smiling; he started as the bass player in the early days with Manfred Mann and now takes the role of lead guitarist and vocals. Along with other band members, Mike Gorman (keyboards), Pete Riley (drums), Marcus Cliffe (bass guitar) and Simon Currie (saxophone/flute) the band are remarkable. This tour marks the celebration of 60 years of Manfred Mann and is remarkable, one not to be missed.
Reviewer - Anne Pritchard
on - 1.10.23
The performance at Buxton on the 5th of Nov. was outstanding. Everyone on their feet at the end to show their appreciation of an exciting night. Just hope when The Manfreds have read all the reviews, they find they have another show or two in them (pretty please) especially at Buxton.
ReplyDeleteJust seen them in Bournemouth, Unbelieveable!!!! Blown away by Smokestack Lightening. Paul Jones looks the same and sounds the same, unlike some of his contemporaries. They deserve more rrcognition.
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