MANNING: Anser’s Tree

Cover	Release	Style
	2006	Progressive rock
	Label
	www.progrockrecords.com
	Website
	www.guymanning.com
	Contact
	-
	Playing Time	Cat. N°
	63:32	PRR270
	Review by	Rating
	Edwin	9/10
nederlands	Review
I’ve become quite a fan of Guy Manning’s ever since I heard his previous album, One Small Step… For me, it was one of the highlights of 2005, and his newest release may well end up high in my list of 2006 as well. Anser’s Tree is a concept album built around the story of one Jonathan Anser, who goes in search of his roots. The story traces his family tree from one Margaret Montgomery in the 17^th century (the brilliant progressive folk rock opening track), through some colourful characters over the ages, right up to Anser’s own time. Manning has always shown lots of JETHRO TULL influences, but never more so than on this record. At times you’d swear this was a sequel to Thick As A Brick. Guy Manning’s vocals are very close to Ian Anderson’s, and the prominent use of flutes (courtesy of Stephen Dundon) makes the similarities even more obvious. You’ll soon notice that MANNING is much, much more than a TULL-clone, though; he’s definitely developed his own style over the years. And then there are the mandolins, fiddles, saxes and the obvious acoustic and electric rock instruments as well, which make listening to this album a very intense and rewarding experience. Superb songs, which any prog rock fan will appreciate, and anyone who isn’t affected by a moving song ‘Joshua Logan’, sure miss something in their lives. Another glorious release by MANNING.
Musicians
Guy Manning: Vocals, keyboards, 6 & 12 string acoustic guitars, mandolins, electric guitar, bass, drums & percussion Laura Fowles: Sax and vocals Stephen Dundon: Electric lead guitars Ian Fairbairn: Fiddle Guests: Stephen Dundon: Flutes Andy Tillison: Hammond, Moog, Rhodes (2) Neil Harris: Piano (2), Arp (5)
Tracklist
Margaret Montgomery (1581-????) Jack Roberts (1699-1749) William Barras (1803-1835) Diana Horden (1900-1922) Joshua Logan (1990-2048) Prof. Adam Logan (2001-2094) Dr. Jonathan Anser (2089-????)
Discography
Tall Stories For Small Children (1999) The Cure (2000) Cascade (2001) The Ragged Curtain (2002) The View From My Window (2003) A Matter Of Life And Death (2004) One Small Step… (2005) Anser’s Tree (2006)


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