Reviews

This man is making some of the most innovative and diverse music on the planet.
The new album, "The Ragged Curtain" opens with a beautiful acoustic
guitar piece before going electric. With a Lou Reed/Bowie-esque rhythm,
Manning launches into "Tightrope".
Right off, one knows this will be great album, and a great departure from previous Manning material. 
Guy 's voice is in great shape, the lyrics are well written and packed with a sense of genuine love in his music. Gareth Harwood's guitar playing is flawless. 
The interplay between guitar and Hammond organ is almost Deep Purple-ish. The next track, "A Place To Hide" offers up a bit of a funky kind of beat to it. 
Rick Ashton And Jonathan MacDonald Binns offer up a great rhythm section in this one. This is my favorite track from the album, as Guy's emotional lyrics bring the message home as only this man can do.
"Where Do All The Madmen Go?" is up next. With an almost Reggae vibe to it, Guy is in complete control and very comfortable with this track. A great mellotron interlude is in this track, lovely execution and brilliant ambiance.  It closes out with another great guitar solo (ala All The Young Dudes!) and brass section.
"Stronger" is the fifth track of the album. Here is where Guy changes gears and goes for more a love song. Twenty years ago, we would hear this one on the radio! very much Like Genesis ' "More Fool Me" in feel rather than sound. 

Laura Fowles, the Saxophonist on this album is wonderful. 
Creating many moods and atmospheres with it, she is very accomplished.
"What is It Worth?" is a ballad. A retrospective track that reminds me of some of his best work from the previous albums.
"The Weaver Of Dreams" seems to be the 'Hit' from the album. a great and hopeful song. 
Wonderful instrumentation and a great lead in to the epic.....
"Ragged Curtains", a massive 8 part thematic piece is the masterpiece of the album. 
Starting very softly, with Guy singing to an organ accompaniment. 
The track builds as it glides through complex arrangements and full tilt Proggy beats. 
This is Guy's finest hour! parts of this song are greatly reminiscent to Trespass era Genesis. 
Whimsical keyboard lines accompanied by flute and acoustic guitar. this could be the Epic of the year! 
This track has many moods, moving into an atmospheric, almost Floydian piece. incredible musicianship abounds on this album.
Guy Manning continues the fine tradition of acoustic based progressive rock laid down by David Cousins, Ian Anderson, Al Stewart, Sandy Denny and so many others. 

Guy 's music is at once complex, yet accessible. 

The music of Guy Manning is to be herald as a troubadour for the 21st century. this album is Guy's masterpiece.

Highly recommended.
Thanks for your time,
Lew
 

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