MANNING Live in 2012 on the "...It's not the end of the World!" tour
Advance tickets are now on sale for some of the dates in the LIVE Calendar
<<< See the LIVE Page for a venue near you and the links to TICKET ORDERS
<<< See the CONTACT page - The MANNING competition page has also been reinstated!!

2nd February 2012

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So here we are just before the Seasonal break and as well as wanting to wish you all a very Merry Christmas/Chanukah and a Happy, Peaceful New Year, we need to complete our 2011 activities with some late announcements!

THE NEW MANNING BAND:
We let you know recently, that Tim Leadbeater, the Manning keyboards player for the last two years had decided
to leave the band for a 'quieter life!'...well we are very pleased to be able to tell you that our new keyboards player
for 2012 and beyond will be Mr. Martin Thiselton. His full resume can be found on the site Biography page.
A well established arranger / composer / performer, Martin also plays the Viola and Violin, which I am sure will
come in very useful indeed!

Also, we have now parted company with drummer, Joe Casey.

We wish him well with all his future projects.

Coming in to bat for us on Drums & Percussion is Mr. Rick Henry.

Again, find a lot more out about Rick
on the Biography page.

REVIEWS AND INTERVIEWS:
More interviews have now been published here on our Press page, garnered from articles on web sites and published magazines.

On Dec 28th 2011, the new issue of CLASSIC ROCK PRESENTS PROG publishes it's Xmas edition with a very nice sized article in it all about the band (as a follow up to the fabulous "Margaret's Children" review we got in the previous issue). The track "The Southern Waves" is also featured on their covermount CD, 'Prognosis 2.2'.
We hope you will like these and also the great photos from the session we did with professional photographer, Stuart Wood. See our Press page.

LIVE DATES:
2012 promises far more live concert performances from us including SUMMERS END FESTIVAL 2012, CAMBRIDGE ROCK FESTIVAL 2012 and some long overdue European dates!!!

For up to the minute information, please make sure you keep on coming back and check out the Live page and also sign up for our exclusive Mailing list (at top of the page)

OK, that's about it for 2011.... It has been another great year for us!
We hope you have enjoyed it too....

See you all down the road in 2012 and thanks once again for all your support...
...it is so very much appreciated!

Take care
GuyM, Julie, Kris, Kev, Chris, Steve, Martin & Rick

28th December 2011

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New MANNING ALBUM "Margaret's Children" Cat: 201111
Official Release Date 7th Nov 2011 on Festival Music (F2)

<< Now available to buy via 'ORDERS'
<< First Album sample now available via 'LISTEN'
<< First Reviews now published via 'PRESS'

"Again, there's copper-bottomed songcraft on display here.These people are lovingly placed into their musical worlds, and live and breathe...there's also something of the spirit of a Robert Wyatt about this Guy. He really sells these tales, with an eccentric English spirit and unerring conviction. Wordy, heady, perplexing and joyous,
Margaret's Children is an album to get lost in" Classic Rock Presents Prog (Grant Moon)

"As always Manning handles the bulk of the musicianship but surrounds himself with an eclectic cast of players...It’s an amazing group of individuals executing some amazing music....It’s classic progressive rock in my books... I would suggest that
any self-respecting fan of the genre should have more than a few of his titles in their collection and certainly Margaret’s Children is a great place to start that collection. Recommended." Jerry Lucky for The Progressive Files

"I didn't think Guy Manning would produce an album to beat Charlestown but in Margaret's Children I reckon he may well have just done that!"
John Sealey at Progressive Ears

"For those unfamiliar, I can only suggest that he is an artist you need to get to know as soon as possible as it really is artists like this that do make a difference in the world of music....Twelve years and twelve albums in, Guy Manning continues to
release material that is prolific, memorable and of the highest order. 10/10" John O'Boyle for the DPRP

"....This is intelligent Progressive rock music of the highest order...a band at the top of their game...an album of tremendous ensemble and solo excellence from all the instrumentalists...Guy really is an amazing Storyteller"
Paul Jerome Smith for Fireworks Magazine

"Margaret's Children reaches the level of Manning's best albums ... I learned not to squander highest rating, and so here I will give four and a half stars...but do not fail to mention that the latest album Manning is one of the three best records that I've heard this year" Paul Tryba for ProgRock.org.pl

"Margaret's Children" is the Manning masterpiece, because we have a nagging urge at the end of listening to it to immediately press "Play" again. I highly recommend this album if you like folk-progressive rock. It is not about to leave your player! 5/5 Stars" JPL for Music In Belgium (translated)

"‘ Margaret’s Children’ is a triumph from start to finish. I’ve listened to it on trains, in cars and even on my computer at home from where I write this review and every time I discover something different".
Phil Jackson for Acid Dragon Magazine

"The stand out piece for me though has to be the closing track'The Soutrhern Waves', with one of the best guitar solos I have heard for a very long time. Superbly done! Margaret's Children' could well be the best Manning album so far"
Miles Bartaby for Rock Society Magazine

" A very powerful collection of songs done by one of the most prolific and talented singers/songwriters to appear by the new millenium.There are not really highlights on this album. Every track is a little jewel on itself....
Conclusion: another prog rock masterpiece done by one of today´s finest songwriters...5/5 Stars" Progressive Archives (1)

"...the more you play it, the more you'll like it. Growers are almost the best albums, aren't' they? 5/6 Stars" Rockreport.be

"...Last year's Charlestown was a strong release and therefore set the bar high for its follow-up and I am happy to report that Margaret's Children is more than equal to its predecessor. 8.5/10" Bob Mulvey Editor for the DPRP

" I will enjoy Margaret's Children for many years to come, it is outstanding...5/5 Stars" Progressive Archives (2)

"I have three other albums awaiting review and fear that I may have to delegate the job due to the fact that every time I attempt to play some music “Margaret’s Children” is first into the machine!" The Progmeister

THE AUDIO-VISUAL ALBUM TRAILER CAN BE ACCESSED [HERE]

The album is the sequel to the acclaimed "Anser's Tree" (2006) and we can now discover more of the life stories
from the ANSER family tree. Each week, in the run up to the release, we released a character biography for each of the SEVEN new album tracks

NOW ALL THE EPISODES HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED (See 'RELEASES'),
WE HAVE ALSO ADDED THE FULL FAMILY TREE TOO!

We hope you will enjoy these items, they were a lot of fun to construct!
Album cover artwork and original family tree poster were created by Ed Unitsky.

20th December 2011

---

We have to report the sad news that our principal keys player Tim Leadbeater has announced his intention to leave the band at Xmas.

Here is a statement from Tim.

"I joined Manning in the nick of time to rehearse up for Rosfest 2010 and (writing the day after Steve Jobs died)
that was a great opportunity seized and a dream come true.

But even then, I knew it was a commitment piled on top of much else - not least running a whole other, 11-piece, band.

And so, having hung in there to support production of a new album and bed in new drummers (metaphorically you
understand), it is finally time to give myself a break.

I'm told you can check out but never leave. (This is very true! Ed.)

I'm certainly not trying to prove something different, but there must be somebody out there whose time has come to 'fire up the Fantom G8!' "

On behalf of all the members of MANNING, I want to wish Tim continued success with the Beatleaders and a restful dotage!

Tim has kindly agreed to stay with us while we find someone to take on his duties but, if we can manage a transition switfly, then the December gig will be his last with us, sadly. Please come along and wish him Bon Voyage!

A new keyboards player has been recruited and will take over from Tim after this gig.
More details will be revealed then!

Email guym@guymanning.com

10th October 2011

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We hope to see some of you at this hallowed event tomorrow (Friday 5th August)
There are a number of fine acts involved and we hit the Classic Rock Stage at about 5:15pm!

We will be featuring some 'other' more forgotten (and more acoustic) gems from the Manning back catalogue in an 'unplugged' format which we hope you will like and sing along to!

Please say 'Hello!"

We have also got a late (and possibly last) review of "CHARLESTOWN" which is very complimentary indeed...the album has brought us alot more attention (after only 10 years!)
In particular the 35 minute title track. (...or album in its own right, if this was 1972 Ed.!)

"...a milestone in the recent history of symphonic progressive"
"...one of the best and more complete symphonic prog tracks of the new millennium. Do yourself a favour and check it out…now!" The complete review is featured on our Press pages.

We believe that 'Margaret's Children' (due out Nov 2011) is a worthy successor!

4th August 2011

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We are pleased to announce that we have secured the services of
Mr. Joe Casey as our new Drummer/Percussionist!

To find out more about the latest MANNING recruit please visit his biography page.

Meanwhile, back at BURNSIDE, we are about to go into the mixing and production stage for our new album "Margaret's Children".

You should be able to hear the results of all this activity in the first week of November 2011!

Launch events will be posted nearer the time so keep watching!

28th July 2011

---

Leon Camfield (percussionist/drummer extraordinaire with TINYFISH) travelled up North to play percussion for the new album recently!

He played a vast assortment of 'tradtional' percussion (congas, bongos, bell tree, triangles, shakers, cabasa, incantation bells, triangles, blocks) as well as experimenting with Roland Sound Pad samples, newspaper and kitchen utensils!

Leon's work marks the end of recordings for the album with some redubs planned next before going into the mix and production phases.

The artwork for the package is also nearly completed with just some unusual photos
of the Manning band left to add in!


Following our request for vocal New Yorkers, we had quite a few entries sent in (and so we thank all who contributed very much) but we have now selected our special guest 'MC for the Savoy', none other than US music maestro, Phideaux!!

8th July 2011

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On the new forthcoming album, there is a track called "HARRIET HORDEN (1912 - 1955) [A Night At The Savoy, 1933]", set in a New York Jazz club.

The track has a live-ish feel to it so, we have added audience FX to the track to try give it some realistic 'ambience'.

Guy has also recorded the MC introduction for it, but to be honest, it sounds really fake...what is really needed, is a recording of a REAL LIVE american introducing "the band".

Here is the actual phrase we need:

"Ladies & Gentlemen, the Savoy is proud to present...Miss Harriet Horden...".
(Horden is pronounced accenting the HOR part ..HOREDEN)
Try to get into character with it and maybe provide a few alternate versions!

Please send a high quality MP3 or WAV/AIFF of it to guym@guymanning.com.

We'll use the one that we all agree (here) sounds the best / most at home.

An album credit awaits!

29th June 2011

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Marek Arnold (of Toxic Smile and other projects) has kindly offered to add some Clarinet and Sax parts on the new MANNING album.

Meanwhile works continues at a pace with parts arriving via FTP/Email etc. from the other players plus weekly sessions at Burnside.

Tim 'Mouse' Lawrie is helping me out with some Sound Advice on the production side this time too, which is great.

More Guest contributions will announced very soon hopefully!

The ELEKTRIK line-up now goes quiet for a while while we audition new drummers before returning to live work in the Autumn.

AKOUSTIK, next stop is a welcome return to the Cambridge Rock Festival in August (See LIVE Dates)

5th June 2011

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A statement from John Kennard
"Getting a call from Guy Manning back in September last year was the start of one of the biggest musical challenges I’ve ever faced: learning a >90-minute set (with some darned complicated songs in it!) in four weeks, ready to play at that most esteemed of venues, The Peel.

Somehow, and with the aid of beer and mirrors (thank you Dec), I pulled it off.

Since then, we’ve played some great gigs together. The feedback I’ve received from the audience, both at the gigs and online, has been unexpected and really rather wonderful– thank you!

Now then...
The business I’m a partner in is, most unreasonably, becoming rather successful. This, in turn is creating greater and greater demands on my time, and I’m finding it increasingly difficult to devote the time I need to keep my playing skills sufficiently honed for such a tight, professional-sounding band.

We have something of a break now, with no “Elektrik” gigs until October, so now is a good time for me to do the decent thing and bow out, giving the lads & lass a good while to find someone who does have the time, skills and capacity for drinking Australian Ginger Beer to take my place on the drum stool.

I shall, of course, fulfil my commitment to arranging/recording parts and vocals for the upcoming album, "Margaret’s Children". (Just you try and stop me - BOY are you lot in for a treat with this one!).

But, I’m afraid, no more will the Raucous Roto-toms of RacingHippo be seen behind Guy’s head.
For which I’m sure Guy will be grateful.

A shame, because it really has been great, but needs must and all that. " JK

A statement from Guy Manning

"On behalf of the band, I would like to publically thank John for the tremendous effort and dedication he has put in to make our 2010/2011 dates so very very positive.
Learning to perform 'Charlestown' is no mean feat I can tell you!
John is stepping out of the limelight here, but is still behind the scenes working very hard with me now on the new album; so we have not seen the last of the Hippo!" Guy

This leaves us now on the hunt for a new drummer!
Can applicants please form an orderly queue or email me!

16th May 2011

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Seven new tracks have now been created!

FLEMING BARRAS (1645 - ????)
[The Year Of Wonders]

JORGEN BARRAS (1834 - 1900)
[Revelation Road]

AMY QUARTERMAINE (1862 - 1916)
[A Perfect Childhood]

HARRIETT HORDEN (1912 - 1955)
[A Night At The Savoy 1933]

JAMES FAIRFAX (1922 - 1945)
[An Average Man]

AMELIA FAIRFAX (1926 - 2010)
[Black Silk Sheets Of Cairo]

DAVID LOGAN (1967 - 2022)
[The Southern Waves]

Work continues as we start to get the additional electric guitars, bass, flute recorded.
No release date has been agreed yet, but we are enjoying the album creation process and hopefully should be able to announce some Special Guest contributions very soon!

2nd May 2011

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PROGMEISTER PROGFEST 2011
SATURDAY MARCH 26TH 2011

Manning were very pleased to announce that they had been invited to headline the brand new Progfest in Teeside!
This special one day event took place at
The Studio, Hartlepool, UK.

For all the latest feedback from the event please visit
the Progmeister web site.

 

 

 

 

+ More album reviews published (mainly in FRENCH!)

28th Mar 2011

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MANNING were very pleased to be nominated for best track ("Charlestown") of the year 2010 by the members of the Classic Rock Society at the recent awards ceremony.
Sonya Kristina was this years guest presenter.

Kris Hudson-Lee was also nominated as best bass player of 2010.

Steve Hackett dropped by and of course demanded his copy of the last album. Steve had grabbed a copy of "Number Ten" at the previous years event and obviously wanted to keep his Manning album collection up to date!

<< Here is Steve, proudly displaying his prized copy...

We kick off our first 2011 concert dates on Sat March 12th
(again for the CRS) with our guests JUMP and we do hope some
of you can make it down there to support the band.

6th Mar 2011

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Work has now commenced on writing material towards a next 12th MANNING studio album!

In fine MANNING tradition, we are going to revisit one of our own previous works
to discover more about the family first explored on the 2006 concept album,
"ANSER' S TREE".

7 prototype pieces are being fleshed out by the band at present and some of these new tracks may very well find their way onto some of our 2011 date setlists.

We are very pleased to announce that the fabulous Ed Unitsky has agreed to reprise and re-engineer his original cover artwork for this sequel. A small version can be seen opposite or over on the RELEASES page.

We are still hoping that 2011 will finally be the year of the long anticipated documenting of MANNING LIVE in the form of an album/DVD package. Plans are afoot for an Autumn filming schedule.

Meanwhile, 3 more MANNING albums get the digital download treatment.
This time, "CASCADE" ,"THE RAGGED CURTAIN" and "THE VIEW FROM MY WINDOW" have been made available for you. Please check the Albums on the RELEASES page for the links.

1st Mar 2011

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Welcome to 2011!
As the reviews continue to arrive, we are updating our Press tab with the latest views!
More gigs are now being booked for the year, so please keep returning often to get the latest information.
You can also sign up to our mailing list (See top of page)

Manning “Charlestown" by Jerry Lucky (The Progressive Rock Files)
"I’ve been a fan for quite a while, but I say this with no embarrassment, Charlestown is Guy Manning’s masterpiece! It’s one of those CDs where everything fits so well. It’s everything prog is all about. For the uninitiated Manning will remind you of The Strawbs, Roy Harper, Al Stewart and Jethro Tull all wrapped up into one. If you’ve yet to sample his music Charlestown is a great place to start. I highly recommend it."

4th Feb 2011

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The DECEMBER 2010 Edition includes a candid interview with Guy plus a live review from the "CHARLESTOWN" launch gig at the PEEL in London.

The articles can also be found HERE along with a Video review of
the new album on LiveProg plus an important US review from ProgressiveWorld.

In case this is our last short term update...on behalf of Guy and all the MANNING band, may I take this opportunity to wish you all a
very Merry Xmas/Chanukah etc. and a peaceful and Happy New Year.

2010 has been a fantastic year for us, with ROSFEST, gigs in the
UK and great new album...it has been fabulous!

So have a good rest and we'll see you all in 2011!!!

P.S. Don't forget to join our bulletins mailing list (see above) .

2nd Jan 2011

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PROGMEISTER PROGFEST, SAT. MARCH 26th 2011

Manning are very pleased to announce that they have been invited to headline the brand new Progfest in
Teeside on Sat. March 26th 2011.

This special one day event will take place at
The Studio, Hartlepool, UK.

Tickets for the event go on sale on Monday 20th Dec 2010.

For all the latest news on the event please visit the
Progmeister web site.


The DUTCH PROGRESSIVE ROCK PAGES site has
published a 3 man ROUND TABLE REVIEW of "CHARLESTOWN" (their ratings and feedback about the new album were impressive!)

PLUS, there is also a full interview with Guy speaking to Geoff Feakes.

The articles can be found at http://www.dprp.net or HERE

Manning “Charlestown" by John O'Boyle (DPRP)
"I would like to tip my hat here to the Guy and the band for what they have created here. I strongly believe that you are not going to come across another album as good as this in 2010, although there have been some quality contenders. This is the first 10 out of 10 that I have rewarded, EVER and I strongly believe that this masterpiece truly deserves that accolade."

Manning “Charlestown" by Geoff Feakes (DPRP)
"Whilst in the past Guy has often blended elements of folk, jazz and mainstream rock into his sound, Charlestown is for me his most fully realised prog-rock album to date. It’s a skilfully produced, free flowing work and along the way classic bands like Yes, Genesis and Jethro Tull are hinted at without ever once resorting to plagiarism...Musically there is a wonderful attention to detail throughout whilst the lyrics tell stories that are both easy to absorb as well as being thought provoking. Instrumentally Guy is in full
command throughout particularly in his abundant use of keyboards with stellar support from the aforementioned contributing musicians. My final rating therefore (10 out of 10) serves as both an acknowledgement of the excellence of this release as well as being in recognition of Guy’s long and fruitful service to the genre of progressive rock. "

Manning “Charlestown" by Bob Mulvey (DPRP)
"Concluding my review of The Ragged Curtain I said: So the burning question is would I spend my hard earned cash on this album?" Yes was the answer then and yes is the answer now. A fine piece of work that deserves to reside in any self respecting prog collection..."

17th Dec 2010

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CLASSIC ROCK PRESENTS PROG - NOV 2010

MANNING are featured in the November 2010 edition.

The track, CHARLESTOWN (EDIT) is Track #2 on the Cover Disc
(Prognosis 12)

Inside, there is a full review of the whole album.

"It's his most adventurous album to date, a release where one discovers even more inlays of beauty and mood after each listen, but because of the well-crafted way in which the textures and layers of this particular composition at least are structured,as well as the airy production which allows the tracks to breathe, it perhaps is far more accessible..."

A copy of all the reviews in full can be found HERE


Manning “Charlestown" by Ron Fuchs (ProgNaut)
"Opening is the epic title track, “Charlestown“ (35:09), and what a way to open the album with. This track alone is worth the price of admission. Guy just keeps upping the ante with each release. Charlestown, is by far his best album to date. There’s everything on this song, from some roaring Hammond, passionate flute, acoustic & electric guitars and of course, Guy’s vocals. He has a talent for laying out his emotions when he sings..."

Manning “Charlestown" by Steve Petch (The Progmeister)
"This really is prog as good as it gets...Did we like this album? You bet your ass we did. Guy Manning has recorded his best work yet with Charlestown and with the aid of gold standard musicians created a tour de force. Beautifully packaged and oozing quality, miss this one at your peril."

Manning “Charlestown" by Fab.Prog (Progressive Archives)
"Charlestown deserves to be a candidate for best album of 2010, Charlestown now undoubtedly will be one
of my favorite albums of all time..."

Manning “Charlestown" by Jerry Fecher (Manning Website)
"As an ardent listener of Manning over the past few years, please convey to Guy Manning that I recently received my pre-order of the latest Manning album Charlestown and it is absolutely amazing, from the great
multi-faceted title track through to the blazing instrumental at the end. This is music of a depth that few others even approach. Kudos to Guy and the band for producing such a gem, and keep up the good work!
This disc will not stray far from my player..."

Cheers,Jerry Fecher
San Diego, California

Manning “Charlestown" by David MacLeod (Progressive Archives)
"If you only get one album this year, make it this one!"

Manning “Charlestown" by Alex P. Torres (Amazon Top 100 Reviewer)
"Charlestown, is a credit to English music making in general, whatever the genre.
It deserves great plaudits: more than that, it deserves a large audience; it deserves to be heard.

When you release an album in which one of the compositions is 35 minutes long,
over half the duration of the 6 in total, then that composition had better be good.
Well, it's not only good, it is nothing short of perfect!..."

Manning “Charlestown" by Toroddfuglesteg (Progressive Archives)
"Guy Manning has released another excellent album which cements his position as one of the three best British prog rock artists in today's scene. Charlestown is also his best ever album. It is not a masterpiece, but it is a close call though!..."

Manning “Charlestown" by GermanZero (Progressive Archives)
"I heard this album over 20 times and it never ceases to amaze me, really is an excellent album..."

Manning “Charlestown" by Textbook (Progressive Archives Forum)
"These expensive sounding, pleasant musicians just drift around like they're auditioning for a pierside show or something while Manning ocassionally comes in sounding like the offspring of Ian Anderson and a goat..."

16th Nov 2010

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THE NEW ALBUM IS NOW IN STOCK AND READY TO BE SENT OUT !!!!

There are a number of planned radio interviews & podcasts being scheduled here in the UK, Canada & in the USA, to coincide with the launch of the new MANNING album "CHARLESTOWN"

Details on where / when to catch these shows are found HERE!

Some shows are now published HERE!

We hope you can join us to celebrate the
culmination of another years hard slog!

Meanwhile, the very first reviews of the new album have started to arrive...


Manning “Charlestown" by Tarcisio Moura (Progressive Archives)
"Another masterpiece of progressive music, no less!
Guy Manning is definitly one of the most important songwriters to appear on the new millenium and Charlestown is definitly a must have for anyone who thinks they don´t do great albums like they used to
do in the 70´s. Highly recommended to all music lovers!"

The longer and more in depth version can be found HERE!

Manning “Charlestown” by John Sealey (Progressive Ears)
"I've been playing this CD regularly since it dropped through the letter-box at the end of last week. The title track is hugely impressive and I envy anyone attending the live show on Saturday. (23rd Oct 2010 - Ed.)

"Charlestown" (the track) may be an "epic" but it's also a stirring suite of well put together tunes which flow excellently throughout the whole 30+ minutes. The most pleasing thing for me is the that the subject matter of the "story" and it's lyrics fit so well with the musical themes. Guy Manning, I think, is a composer who understands the link between the poetry of the lyrical content and the drama of the music. I can't see this being anything other than a real "grower" for me and I'd heartily recommend it to anyone who has an interest in the written word as well as the music played.

Actually, although I've so far concentrated more on the title track (it's 35 minutes long, back in the day it's what I was used to for a complete album!), the other five songs on the CD are very good too! I'm kind of saving them as the dessert when I'm getting full of the main course.

"Caliban and Ariel" is a really gentle piece that, again, fits the lyric beautifully. I suppose it keeps the watery theme going too! "The Man in the Mirror" is a tale that reflects that sometimes life is just not full of happy endings, delivered with real pathos, I think. I like this song very much. "Clocks", another rather gentle song with a beautiful and very wistful lyric, may turn out to be a personal favourite for me - only time will tell! In some ways it reminds me of The Musical Box in it's sentiment, although interpreted differently, of course. "T.I.C" takes us into more uptempo territory with it's more blues-rock feel - a bit of fun here I think and even a bit of Wishbone Ash twin lead and some Tull flutes! "Finale" wraps it all up with a full on instrumental coda rounding up some of the themes from, I think, the title track? The reworking here works superbly well and provides a fitting end to a high quality album. A little irony at the end really; an album so brilliantly served in it's lyrical content ending with an intrumental. I like that and it says a lot about the artist.

There you go, I've done the lot now. It's a pleasure from start to finish - a highlight in what has been a super year for the music I love.

Now .........back to my epic!! "

Manning “Charlestown” by Keith (Aural Moon)
"The title track is a veritable MASTERPIECE!!!!!! Superb playing throughout.
You won't be disappointed if you get this I promise you."

Manning “Charlestown” by Paul Baker (ARFm Soundscapes Radio)
"The 11th album from one of England’s best kept Prog Rock secrets; ‘Charlestown’ is a splendid blend of modern and classical progressive rock. Epic opener ‘Charlestown’ is an amazing musical adventure on the high seas of imaginative forward looking rock. ‘Caliban & Ariel’ is a gentle contrast to the drama of the title track, there is also a ‘what was that?’ moment when ‘T.I.C.’ takes to the air!

Album closer, ‘Finale’ takes some themes from the epic opening track and re-works them into an absorbing instrumental extravaganza, but don’t expect a straight copy, that wouldn’t be Manning!

Fans of Jethro Tull, Yes, Gentle Giant, Genesis and all the usual suspects should find a lot to like on this album, but may be disappointed if they expect an impersonation of their heroes, Manning and Charlestown are much too adventurous and original for that!"

The longer and more in depth version can be found HERE!

13th Oct 2010

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We are happy to announce that the Official CHARLESTOWN launch gig is to be held on Sat. 23rd October 2010 at the Peel, Kingston-upon-Thames, London. Tel: 0208 8546 3516. Doors open 7:30pm Our special guests will be Dec Burke's Destroy All Monsters This will be the first gig with our new drummer, John Kennard. Please come along and support him! The album will on pre-sale and we will be debutting some new material from it, but you can now PRE-ORDER it from this site plus there is an edited snippet from the title track for you to hear HERE! We hope you can come and see us and pick up your pre-release copy! Evening dress is optional OR you can come dressed as a sailor from the late 1700s to fit in with the album theme. NOTE: Change to 3rd Dec 2010 concert: Crimson Sky have had to pull out, but we have managed to persuade the fabulous GODSTICKS to take their place!!

24th Sept 2010

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The new album has been finally mastered and the artwork completed!

With a good headwind and weather, we are on course for our Autumn release schedule. (OK, that's enough of the sailing imagery I think).

'Charlestown' is made up of six new recordings including the epic mulit-sectioned title track. The album features the new band line-up (except Conor, who arrived afterwards) and includes Dave Albone's last work with the band before his retirement.

Once again, some extra guests have been drafted in to help add to that unique sound which is MANNING music! (See our BIOGRAPHY section)

The front cover has been especially created by Rosie Manning (who also did the 'Bilston House' artwork).

"Definitely a more challenging listen this time around, lots of quirky time signatures, stark light and shade plus more band ensemble / orchestral playing...I always liked albums that I maybe did not get into right away, but kept coming back to time after time to really appreciate...A Passion Play and Topographic Oceans spring to mind...my first reaction was a 'what the *?/*@!'...but now I love them dearly' (Guy Manning).

Material from the new album will be featured in the late 2010 UK dates.

21st July 2010

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We are pleased to announce that we will be playing at The Venue in Stocksbridge, near Sheffield on Friday 3rd December supported by Molly Bloom and Crimson Sky.

Tickets are available now on our Live page priced at £10 advance including postage, or you can buy them from The Venue in person.

Announcement: Due to unforeseen circumstances, the planned Sept 2010 date at the Robin2, Bilston has had to be postponed until May 1st 2011.
Any ticket holders, please hold onto your tickets or contact us or the Venue.
We are very disappointed, but this new date will now form a part of our Spring 2011 tour.

4th July 2010

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It's coming up to the summer lull when gigs stop and Manning are cooped up in a tiny rehearsal room making sure the new Autumn 2010 set is absolutely top notch - and equally importantly - finish off the final bits of Charlestown ready for it's Autumn release.

If you're wanting more Manning classics though, you'll be pleased to know that The Cure is now available to buy on itunes and contains one such track from the forthcoming Autumn set, and a favourite of many peoples - Domicile.

If you care to check the reviews page, you'll see the first RoSfest reviews are now in, and we also have a few more photos on our gallery page.

2nd June 2010

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Check out the promotional file that Steve Dundon has put together to accompany the track "DOMICILE" (taken from "THE CURE" album).
It is now available on YouTube and Steve tells us that more are on the way!

Also now published are the 2 video blogs we filmed on our way to RoSFest 2010. Sample international life on the road with the band
(on a very low budget)!

You can get to all these via our PRESS pages.

More LIVE dates are being booked as we speak, so make sure you subscribe to the MANNING Mailing List (see box above) for all the latest bulletins or check back here regularly!

5th July 2010

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Guy Manning
“Following on from Manning’s triumphant appearance at RosFest 2010, the band has to sadly announce the departure from the line-up of drummer/percussionist, Dave Albone.”

Dave Albone
“After a fantastic 2 years working with Guy, I have taken a very difficult decision to not only leave Manning, but retire from any kind of regular live playing for good. This decision includes a number of personal reasons, the key one being gradually increasing problems with pains in my elbow and wrist joints, making the physical side of being a drummer very difficult – and quite painful! The timing – after our highly successful and hugely enjoyable trip to RosFest in the USA – seemed right, going out on a massive high.

I’m not leaving music behind entirely – my first instrument was actually piano and I will be reviving my interest in this later in the year – purely for personal pleasure though!

I’d like to say a massive thanks to Manning – to Guy for giving me the opportunity to do some really good things in my last 2 years of playing (Cambridge Rock Festival, RosFest USA, recording the new album); to Julie for feeding me every Tuesday rehearsal night; to Kev, Kris, Chris, Steve, and Tim for being excellent companions and such top notch dedicated musicians – it’s been a privilege. I’m very proud to have been involved in what Manning has achieved in the last 2 years.

Big thanks also to anyone who has ever supported me or attended a gig I’ve done over the last 36 years of playing – from rough houses in Manchester to The Royal Albert Hall, I’ve had a ball. And finally – a colossal and heartfelt thanks to my long suffering wife Christine – she has quietly supported me, put up with many absences, late nights and grumpy mornings and never, ever once asked me to give it up.

I wish Guy and the rest of Manning all the very best for the future – I’m sure they’ll now go on to build on the success of Cambridge and RosFest and get the wider recognition that the music deserves.

Anyone want to buy a drum kit!”

20th May 2010

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We are pleased to announce that The Cure (originally released in 2000) will be released onto itunes worldwide, Amazon mp3 and Napster in early June. Release dates vary but it should be online at all stores by 8th June.

The Cure is one of the four albums also re-released as 10th Anniversary editions, which currently are only available to buy on this site, via Festival Music (F2) or at our gigs.

Finally, we have the RoSfest (April) Manning Newsletter online. This was originally going to be produced and distributed at RoSfest, but due to the volcanic ash cloud preventing us sending any airmail just before the event,
we had to abandon those plans. However, you can now view, download and print your own copy of this combined newsletter and RoSfest programme.

18th May 2010

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We have our first block of RoSfest photos online. None of us onstage as yet, but these will follow soon.

With all the new fans from RoSfest wanting to be kept up to date and our clunky old system failing rapidly, we have decided to update our mailing list and are now using those lovely chaps at Aardvark Mailing Lists to manage this for us.

We promsie that we won't spam you or pass on your details to anyone else and you can unsubscribe at any time.

If you do decide to subscribe, you'll find the link at the top right of this page... so why not go along there now and get the latest Manning news delivered into your inbox?

16th May 2010

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After much discussion and soul searching, it has been mutually decided that Guy will no longer be partaking in future Tangent activities. Both Guy & Andy (Tillison) would like it to be known that this decision has been reached amicably.

The reasons are simply the fact that Guy's band MANNING and The TANGENT are both working hard on projects (both on stage and in the studio) and over the past two years, progress for both bands has been halted as a result of intense activity by one or the other.

This leaves Guy free to focus entirely on his own music and for the Tangent's new four piece lineup augmented where possible by Theo Travis, to arrange gigs and recording sessions equally independantly.

Both Guy and Andy are sure that this will not be the end of musical collaborations between them.
They are parting company in just ONE respect, i.e The Tangent.

Both MANNING and The TANGENT have recently had successful and very well received performances at major festivals and the future looks good for both parties.

On a personal note, Guy and Andy would like to add that their work together in the Tangent has been very rewarding and also a lot of fun! They both feel very proud of what the band has produced/achieved.

Best wishes from both.

11th May 2010

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