This reviewer has seen The Manfreds eight or nine times over the years, maybe more. I’ve seen them supported by Long John Baldry, Chris Farlowe, PP Arnold, Georgie Fame, among others — a real who’s who of 1960s pop. But as time has marched on, some of those artists have retired from touring or sadly passed away, leaving only original Manfred Mann members Paul Jones and Tom McGuinness out front, supported by an outstanding band. They keep touring, but how do they keep things fresh and audiences coming back? Well, by doing exactly what they’ve done with this latest series of shows, making this incarnation of The Manfreds quite possibly their best yet.
Paul Jones took to the stage looking far younger than his 83 years and launched straight into ‘The One in the Middle’, a self-referential, tongue-in-cheek rhythm and blues number about his time as Manfred Mann’s charismatic frontman. The lyrics describe the roles of the different band members and highlight the public’s focus on Jones over the rest of the group. It also gave him the perfect excuse to introduce the band: Richard Saddler on bass, Simon Currie on saxophone and flute, Pete Riley on drums, Mike Gorman on keyboards, and of course, Tom McGuinness on guitar.
Next up, Jones explained, was a song written as the theme for the weekly music show Ready Steady Go!, the equally self-referential ‘5-4-3-2-1’. With the introductions complete, the band launched into ‘Just Like a Woman’, a top ten hit in 1966, followed by the bluesier ‘Without You’, from their debut album The Five Faces of Mann.
After leaving Manfred Mann in 1970, Tom McGuinness formed McGuinness Flint, with whom he enjoyed chart success. He dedicated ‘Malt and Barley Blues’, a top-five hit from 1971, to his grandson, who was in the audience. Jones then reclaimed the mic for one of Manfred Mann’s best-loved songs, ‘Pretty Flamingo’. This was the point where The Manfreds really switched things up. Former Manfred Mann’s Earth Band vocalist Noel McCalla joined them on stage, after Mike Gorman had teased the crowd with the familiar opening chords of ‘Davy’s on the Road Again’, a top ten hit from 1978. McCalla’s vocals were flawless, instantly transporting the audience back to happier times. He stayed on to deliver ‘Blues for You’ and Manfred Mann’s 1968 hit ‘Fox on the Run’. His deep, soulful voice seemed to linger in the air long after the last note.
Jones returned to the stage to take us into the interval with ‘Bad Bad Boy’, from the soundtrack of the film Privilege, in which he starred, followed by a blistering version of Howlin’ Wolf’s Smokestack Lightning, complete with exceptional blues harp playing.
After the break, The Manfreds kicked off with their 1964 hit ‘Sha La La.’ A lively mash-up of ‘Killer Joe’ and ‘Oh No Not My Baby’ followed, giving Mike Gorman’s keyboards and Simon Currie’s saxophone a chance to shine. Currie’s sax was one of the stars of the night, the arrangements really seemed to play to his strengths. ‘Watermelon Man’ gave every band member a chance to cut loose, Saddler’s basslines and Riley’s drumming were pure joy.
McCalla returned for a beautiful version of Bob Marley’s ‘Redemption Song’, accompanied by McGuinness on acoustic guitar and Jones on harmonica. He then took lead vocals on Manfred Mann’s final single, 1969’s ‘Ragamuffin Man’.
Then came the evening’s highlight, a tremendous version of Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Blinded by the Light’, a 1976 hit for Manfred Mann’s Earth Band. The playing was so good the group almost morphed into the E Street Band. McCalla left the stage to a standing ovation, and Jones brought things down a notch with a slower, jazzier take on ‘Come Tomorrow’. McGuinness then swapped his guitar for a mandolin to sing ‘When I’m Dead and Gone’, a song still beloved by fans.
Manfred Mann had three number ones in the 1960s, the most famous being ‘Do Wah Diddy Diddy’. Jones led the audience in a joyous singalong before closing the main set with their 1968 chart-topper ‘Mighty Quinn’.
After a well-deserved standing ovation, the band returned for an encore of ‘If You Gotta Go, Go Now’. The addition of Noel McCalla was inspired. Fresh arrangements, subtle tweaks to familiar songs, and a varied setlist made this another triumphant chapter in The Manfreds’ long story, proof that even after all these years, they’re still finding new ways to keep it fresh.
The Manfreds Maximum Rhythm ‘n’ Blues tour continues, and tickets are available here,
https://myticket.co.uk/artists/the-manfreds
Reviewer – Adrian Cork
On – 5.11.2025
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