Phil Gets Down To Business !
Marcus Hawkes | Seattle, WA USA | 10/28/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This one is special! The third of a trio of recent CD's (following 'Vozero' and last year's '6PM'), this 7th solo work by Roxy Music's lead guitarist stands out. It is more moody, with more edge and more experimentation than he's done in awhile. It is also distinguished by a generous helping of guitar - Manzanera dishes out some tasty licks on this one. Still rooted in his formative years, London in the late 1960's, it evokes that period and more. The results are excellent.
Many of the musicians appeared on '6PM,' including Brian Eno and Robert Wyatt, plus Andy Mackay and Paul Thompson of Roxy Music. They are joined by several others (the mix of musicians again varies from song to song).
Given Manzanera's diverse background and experiences, you hear a variety of influences reflected throughout this project. Sometimes his solo work, sometimes Roxy, Beatles, Pink Floyd, and Soft Machine.
'Revolution' is a strong opening song, an in-your-face spirited rocker with Phil belting it out on guitar to Paul's strong drums. Great way to open the CD. 'Technicolor UFO' follows, and is a most catchy number that begs to be released as a single. Set to an energetic Roxy beat, Phil describes his `60's dream, making the scene, in which we find many of the personalities, places and things he was surrounded with at the time. It is a trip. 'That's All I Know' is a direct and sincere song about life, opening with acoustic guitar and ending electric. '50 Minutos Mas Tarde' is an ethereal mood piece, involving Eno, Wyatt on trumpet, plus grand piano, acoustic bass, various vocals and other sounds and treatments. 'Desaparecido' begins with footsteps leading into an Argentine club, music with a Latin influence, a rousing chorus, and an elegant vocal segment with Claire Singers (her singing supports nicely throughout the CD). 'Dusza' is a short moody transitional piece of various sounds leading into 'One Step.' 'One Step' is relaxed, featuring a singing guitar throughout, to a deliberate beat and vocals. 'Swimming' is a bouncy straightforward happy relationship song. 'Bible Black' opens with an eerie, ominous, deliberate feeling, with tension similar to Roxy's 'In Every Dream Home.' Then off it goes in a psychedelic trip evocative of Soft Machine. You wish it wouldn't end so soon, but they make up for that in the bonus track. 'Till The End Of The Line' is another slower paced number, with wonderful soaring guitar to wind down the CD.
'Enotonik Bible Black' is the bonus track, and what a track it is. While originating from the song above, this one is 10 minutes of abstracted music and rambling sounds orchestrated by Phil and Eno, with additional production by Bill MacCormick (DJ Bill Mac?). This piece is right out of the psychedelic 60's - it could easily have filled one side of a vinyl LP. All it needs is the light show.
The packaging of the CD is in keeping with the previous two in the trio - a trifold digipak case with diecut cover (a psychedelic swoopy "50") revealing a 12-page booklet with a narrative by Phil, complete lyrics, credits and some Phil/graffiti photos. The interior of the digipak itself features a colorful presentation of documents of the London music scene in the late `60's - posters, newspapers, graphics, and programs. Fun to look through.
This CD is a full hour long (50 minutes, plus bonus track). Another carefully crafted creative piece from Manzanera, it is getting critical acclaim in the media. Suffice it to say that Phil has taken more chances with the music here, and that's a good thing.
"
Reminiscent and outside the lines
L. L. Goldsmith | 11/06/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"For those that know and love Phil Manzanera as the heart and strings of Roxy Music and those who appreciate new and exciting music as an art form...
50 Minutes Later is a work that draws you into a feverish rhythmic development with a complementary temporal experience.
"Revolution" invites the listener into the melodic and instrumental question of why - everything is at odds? The lyrics and guitar melody create a tension that challenges you to listen, get involved... and before you know it you are rocking to the rhythm one of many great guitar solos that lace this CD.
The next cut then flashes back to another time of happy psychedelia described in the story and rhythm of "Technicolor UFO".
The rhythm becomes a comfortable sense of woozy movement with the welcome intrusion of a rock beat. Throughout you are pleasantly surprised by Phil's style for painting vivid pictures.
"That's All I Know" has the warmth of a love song and is followed by the Latin beat of "50 Minutos Mas Tarde" and "Desparecido."
Phil takes you further into each development through the use of spoken language and sound effects that inject a visual experience of movement developing into rhythm.
50 Minutes Later transcends time, culture, and space. Phil's avant garde guitar style keeps the listener on edge. You can feel the instrument writhe. The lyrics are a contemporary reflection without being too nostalgic.
"Dusza," "One Step," and "Swimming" are a comfortable experience, when suddenly "Bible Black" wakes from an uneasy dream with more questions, challenges, and tension. And answers with "Till the End of the Line".
The crescendo and the "piéce de resistance" is "Enotonik Bible Black" which launches you into outer space and the culmination of the experimental and inspirational style threaded through the context of the entire work.
50 Minutes Later is recommended for those who appreciate Phil's work and ESPECIALLY for those who have never heard Phil's work. He is in a class of his own and has had the vision to organize a body of work with a team of musicians that will stand the test of time.
"
Phil colors outside the lines....
B. Kemper | Madison, WI United States | 12/29/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"....and this is a good thing. I almost always buy Phil's releases, part of my never-ending love of Roxy Music and it's spinoffs. However, Phil's releases have been spotty for my tastes: some are great, others just okay. This one, however, is a pleasant surprise. First off, let me add to the accolades here for "Enotonik Bible Black". This 10-minute song alone is worth the price. Phil has made a brilliant choice here: get the geniuses on board (Brian Eno, Robert Wyatt, Paul Thompson, etc.) and let them go nuts. Don't get me wrong, the other songs on this record are good and you will enjoy them, but that bonus track proves to me that Manzanera is--while not the best guitarist or songwriter in the world (and come on, hard-core fans....we must all admit this to be true)--a great collaborator and, on this record at least, the marvelous planet around which all these bright stars have chosen to orbit. In other words, this record is a wonderful achievement of which he should be proud."
