Never one for predictability, the new album "A Matter Of Life & Death" is in fact a concept album based upon a character Guy created on his 1999 debut ?solo? album "Tall Stories For Small Children". This is an album ... more »of quite dark beauty that explores the twists and turns of fate that leads a man ultimately to his own death and rebirth. On this piece of work, we find Guy at his strongest both lyrically and melodically and also at his most direct. Guy, as a multi-instrumentalist, plays most of the instruments himself, but once again, this album features the same core of talented musicians that have helped Guy both craft his music into complete albums and to perform them live (since 2000).« less
Never one for predictability, the new album "A Matter Of Life & Death" is in fact a concept album based upon a character Guy created on his 1999 debut ?solo? album "Tall Stories For Small Children". This is an album of quite dark beauty that explores the twists and turns of fate that leads a man ultimately to his own death and rebirth. On this piece of work, we find Guy at his strongest both lyrically and melodically and also at his most direct. Guy, as a multi-instrumentalist, plays most of the instruments himself, but once again, this album features the same core of talented musicians that have helped Guy both craft his music into complete albums and to perform them live (since 2000).
CD Reviews
Can't agree with the other reviewers
Morton Nielsen | Denmark | 08/05/2006
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I'm sorry but I have to disagree with the previous reviewers who were quick to proclaim this album as a masterpiece. It's a good melodic acoustic album with proggy songs and good vocals. The melodies aren't all that memorable however. For some reason I find Manning's solo albums a bit difficult to grasp. His work with other musicians is a lot more interesting but that's not to say A Matter Of Life & Death is bad. I can't say I'm big on the vocals but the overall vibe of the cd is quite consistent which is important for prog listeners. He has some very interesting ideas and maybe I'll like his songs more in the future."
Great albums get better on every listen.
ProgDad | UK | 11/17/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Review By Paul Baker ARFM Radio
A Matter Of Life & Death is (Guy) Manning's sixth release in as many years. How many progressive bands can boast such an output these days?
Eager as everybody should be to spin the disc as soon as it is in their possession, it is worth revisiting Manning's 1999 release, Tall Stories For Small Children. 'Pourquoi?' you may ask. Well, A Matter Of Life & Death is a concept album based on a character, Abel Mann, who first came to light on Tall Stories where Abel was left 'writing his diary'. Contemplative of suicide (did he jump from the ledge or just consider it??), the new album explores the tragic character's thoughts through his 'journal'.
Main vocals, in distinctive Anderson-like style, along with all manner of instrumentation are down to the multi-talented Guy Manning, who is ably assisted by a host of familiar names including Laura Fowles (sax, vocals), Gareth Harwood (electric guitars, vocals), Rick Ashton (bass, vocals), John Tipping (drums), Ian Fairbairn (fiddle), Neil Harris (modal piano, melodica, percussion, vocals), Tim Moon (cello) and Andy Tillison (keyboards).
Stating the obvious, the album has the usual and now classic Manning sound, but like all Guy's releases, this has something 'extra' over and above the previous album. What that 'extra something' IS, is difficult to put into words. Listen to it and you will know what I mean. Yes, there's that hint of Tull but many other styles, sounds and feelings are also there, from the fiddle of The Levellers to the strong sense of Camel particularly with regard to keyboard pieces. I don't know about you but this combination gets a large in my book.
The contrasting (backing) vocals' response to the main vocal is something rarely heard in prog in the past couple of decades. Genesis used it often in the 70's to depict different characters in a song, usually in a comical way, but Manning uses the arrangement in more of a sense of a Shakespearian play where the elements (air, water etc.) have a voice (a sort of whisper on a wind).
Guy has omitted the almost-obligatory 20 minute 'epic' (that doesn't mean that there aren't any long-ish tracks), which is good as A Matter Of Life & Death has no need of one. Instant gratification is delivered by the opening track, The Dream, dangerously setting high expectations for the album. Dangerous because on first listen, the remaining tracks, whilst good, failed to grab me in the same manner. A few replays later and other tracks begin to come to the fore and having now heard it 10+ times I can confirm that every track is a winner. How I missed this fact the first time, God only knows, but it proves the worthiness of perseverance and the old adage that great albums get better on every listen.
The package artwork is of an equally high standard and is continued throughout the booklet. I bet ProgRock Records are well pleased that they managed to add Manning to their list of artistes. Highly recommended.
"
Best of 2004
Dino L | UK | 05/27/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"DR D B SILLARS from Luton, Bedfordshire United Kingdom This album was my top choice of last year as best progressive rock album. So what makes this stand out from the competition, which last year was pretty good? Well, since 1999 Guy Manning has produced five albums for the British independent progressive rock label, Cyclops. Each album beautifully showcased his distinctive mixture of classic English progressive rock, with folk, jazz and other elements to produce songwriting of such individual character and depth. But with this latest album, his songwriting has reached astonishing new heights of quality and beauty. When Cyclops lacked the funds to release his latest album, he searched valiantly for another outlet. Having secured a deal with American label ProgRock, he could at last release "A Matter of Life and Death". And it was worth it. This is a perfect culmination of everything Guy is good at. Beautifully constructed songs, with rich, full melodies augmented with excellent playing from himself and all concerned. Guy is a superb multi- instrumentalist, tackling various guitar and keyboard duties as well as drums. Though to be clear Manning is a band venture. Guy is more than ably supported by Laura Fowles on sax , Gareth Harwood on guitars and Rick Ashton on bass. Guy has also employed other instrumentalists to add fiddle, melodica and cello, embellishing the rich musical tapestry on show here. The basis for the album is the story of Abel Mann a character first introduced in a song on an earlier album. As he sits at his desk reading his journals, each song represents his life experiences. There are many nautical references which pervade this album and water, rivers, sailing act as continuing themes throughout. The story is superbly illustrated by the gorgeous album artwork of Ed Unitsky who also produced the artwork for both Tangent albums, a project which Guy is also part of. The opening track, "The Dream" is a corker. What a way to open an album. This superbly rousing rocker has a chorus to die for. Excellent use of string synths to give a very full, symphonic feel and nice moog solo by Andy Tillison too. "The River of Time" has a haunting, dreamlike quality to it, made more so by Laura Fowles slightly creepy vocals. But the highlight is undoubtedly, "Out of My Life". This is a classic. With an excellent instrumental section, full of synths and Laura Fowles strident sax playing, this is so wonderfully arranged and developed. Superb! The album closes with "Midnight Sail", pure rock and roll! The songwriting and performances on this album are so strong and consistent throughout. Not a weak track in sight. It is a true joy to listen to this. On the evidence on this and Guy's other albums, it's a complete mystery why Guy Manning is not more widely known and appreciated, not just within the prog rock community, but his appeal as a singer/songwriter is so much wider that anyone interested in carefully crafted, quality songwriting will find lots to enjoy here. He has already started work on his next opus, "One Small Step..." Can't wait!"
Yet Another Excellent Modern Prog Album
Kurt Harding | Boerne TX | 02/20/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Those of my generation who think prog died from its own bloated pomposity in the 70s need to retire their bellbottoms, quit wallowing in nostalgia, and start listening to what progressive rock offers listeners today. There is so much good prog music around, the average Joe could go nearly broke trying to acquire it all!
I got back into prog a few years ago after chance encounters with the music of Roine Stolt, Spock's Beard, Porcupine Tree, and the Tangent. The voyage of discovery from that new musical base camp has taught me that prog never died at all, it just disappeared from corporate radio which prefers to feed its listeners predictable and watered-down schlock pop and other musical disorders.
Guy Manning is yet another artist who is little known beyond the world of prog but who deserves the accolades showered on much less talented musicians. A Matter of Life And Death is the first Manning album I have acquired after having been alerted to it by an old friend who is on the same journey of rediscovery.
This is an album for those who appreciate great lyrics. When you put this on for the first time, sit down and take the time to read as you listen. It will greatly enhance your listening experience.
Then there is the music itself. Though musical polymath Manning plays most of the instruments himself, he is ably assisted by a number of other prog luminaries. Like any good prog, this CD touches on many styles without descending into self-parody. I like the whole CD except for the last song. There are enough musical change-ups throughout to please any ear with Manning's voice being sometimes evocative of Ian Anderson and sometimes entirely different. Virtuosity is the word of the day on this CD. However, the last song, Midnight Sail, is so commercial sounding and musically lame that it risks spoiling the rest of the CD.
If you have not yet succumbed to the charms of the music of Guy Manning, I suggest you start here. A Matter of Life and Death certainly has me wanting to hear more."
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1