MANNING the ragged curtain
		Format CD Country UK Recorded 2002 Issued 2003 Label Cyclops Cat no. CYCL 115 Playing time 68:06 Reviewer Trond Sætre

Guy Manning – songwriter and instrumentalist with a voice resembling Ian Anderson and a connection to Parallel or 90 Degrees. But he also has his own band not resembling Jethro Tull, and in fact even less resembling Po90°. The group Manning has room for a little of each. Their music relates to decades of the best of melodic prog-rock. On The Ragged Curtain they also have plenty of space for saxophones, something that gives the group character and a certain freshness.

The Ragged Curtain is almost without dead centers. After a short acoustic intro the band clashes into Tightrope, a heavy, ten minute track where all their instruments are put to use. This is followed by a selection of lighter, almost pop-ish tracks with complex elements. Best of these is What Is It Worth? where Guy Manning’s sensitive voice really stands out and expresses a degree of pain which really fits the depressing lyrics.

The Weaver Of Dreams doesn’t only sound a bit more like the title of a prog song, it is also much more typical prog with a well –constructed build-up and a lovely middle part played on flute. The 26 minute long title track has, as expected, everything. It develops from a rather traditional intro, through a tight and intense interplay between heavy guitars, sax and Hammond organ, a middle section for Mellotron and flute, a sax solo, folk-rock elements with mandolins, and a grandiose conclusion not a million miles from the most obvious source of inspiration – Genesis’ Supper’s Ready.

Melodic and emotional symphonic rock of the best kind. The CD has a couple of weak tracks, and perhaps a bit too much pop music for some of you. But if you are not too much of a puritan to appraise a few quite straight tracks in the first half of the album, The Ragged Curtain is heartily recommended.

© 2003 Tarkus Magazine

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