Man is the third studio album by the Welsh rock band Man and was released March 1971. It was the first album by this line-up, Terry Williams having replaced Jeff Jones on drums, while Martin Ace replaced Ray Williams on bass.
As well as a change in personnel, the album also represented a change in record label from Pye Records to United Artists (released under the UA stable "Liberty" imprint) with whom the band would remain until 1976. Reviews were mixed, particularly regarding the long tracks "Would the Christians...." and "Alchemist" which were an attempt to recreate some of the longer improvised jams that the band performed on stage, but which did not have the same impact on vinyl.
Music
The music of Man contains elements of country rock and heavy metal.
The album contained three shorter tunes: "Country Girl" that showed a clash of direction but showcases some fine Welsh harmonies. "Daughter of the Fireplace", a Leonard-penned rocker, which became a stage favourite (and highlight of Man's 1972 live LP Live at the Padget Rooms, Penarth) while "Romain", a bluesy-shuffle, was written as a reaction to Martin Ace's treatment by a Belgian police officer of the same name when he attempted to intervene in a situation at a music festival; the song remains in the Man live set to the present day.
Track listing
Personnel
Michael "Micky" Jones – electric guitar, acoustic guitar, vocals
Roger "Deke" Leonard – electric guitar, acoustic guitar, piano, steel guitar, vocals Clive John – organ, piano, electric guitar, harpsichord, vocals Martin Ace – bass guitar, acoustic guitar, vocals Terry Williams – drums, percussion; liberty bell on "Daughter"
Production
Produced – Mel Baiser for Gem Production
Engineer – George Chkiantz & Rik ??
Re-issues
The original album was re-issued on CD in 1998 (Point PNTVP117CD)
The album was remastered and re-issued on CD in 2007 (Esoteric eclec 2012) including two bonus tracks: "Daughter of the Fireplace" (Single Version) "Alchemist" (First Version)
References
External links
Man - Man (1971) album review by Lindsay Planer, credits & releases at AllMusic.com