Man - like the Grateful Dead - are judged more by their live output than studio offerings. And true to form, I've not really been too enamored with any of Man's regular albums, though perhaps it's high time for some revisits. Like the Grateful Dead, songwriting isn't their ace in the hole. But jamming in a live setting is an entirely different skill set, one that Man possesses in spades (let's play cards shall we?). I hadn't really ever delved into their live work prior, but based on many a recommendation, I decided I probably should get on that. And this Original Album Series addresses only the live aspect of Man, whereas Vol.1 is for their early studio albums. I was familiar with Live at the Padget Rooms Penarth, and to be honest I wasn't overwhelmed by it. For many music fans, this recording is considered the apex of their canon. So what do I know? As for the others, they all scored better in my book. Well... the Christmas at the Patti is a mixed band affair, and related group Help Yourself steals the show on that release. The first 15 minutes are boogie rock bands, and the less said, the better.
The highlights for me are Back into the Future and Maximum Darkness, in that order. Both these recordings catch lightning in a bottle, and demonstrate that Man could build up guitar climaxes with the best of them. Honestly jam bands aren't really my thing, but when they're this good, it's hard to pass up. If you're like me, and only want a handful of stuff like this, you could do worse than pick up this 5 CD budget set.
Ownership: CD: 2016 Parlophone. Typical OAS with original cardboard artwork... and no liner notes. Sigh.
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