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The Manfreds. Hits, Jazz and Blues Tour 2022. The Embassy Theatre. Friday 16 September 2022.

Updated: Apr 8, 2023


The Manfreds

Hits, Jazz and Blues Tour 2022

The Embassy Theatre, Skegness

Friday 16 September 2022

The Manfreds fully qualify for the term "legends". During the Sixties, the band were one of the most prominent during the Beat Explosion. Hits by Manfred Mann were universally loved and they even managed to break the difficult US market. Though Manfred Mann had gone their seperate ways after their success in the Sixties, during 1991 a number of former members reunited and have been touring as The Manfreds successfully since.

The current line-up comprises original front man Paul Jones, guitarist Tom McGuiness, sax and flute player Simon Currie, bassist Marcus Cliffe, keys Mike Gorman and drums Martin Wild. Founder member Mike Hugg had also been playing keyboards on tour previously is currently "indisposed" as Paul Jones informed the audience this evening.

The musicianship on display this evening was exemplary. Every member of the band is a master of their craft and it is a privilege to hear such talent come together, reminding us of the 60-year musical heritage they represent with the original band having been formed in 1962. Their initial run of success came between 1962 and 1969 and saw Jones replaced as front man when he departed and singer Mike D'Abo joining the group. D'Abo has previously toured with the new line-up alongside Jones, but no longer appears by mutual consent as the schedules can prove demanding. During the interval I asked Google how old Paul Jones is now and was shocked and astonished to realise he was 80 in February this year.

I was chatting to a friend and said that growing up, we never saw pop stars of that age and then realised that in our youth, rock 'n' roll/pop music just had not been around long enough for that to be the case. Having said that, Paul Jones is in spectacularly good form. He looks at least twenty years younger than he actually is. His energy and enthusiasm are fantsatic and his love of the music he plays is infectious. He was clearly having fun tonight - so why would you consider retiring? His other long-term association is with The Blues Band, who have recently completed their Farewell Tour though The Manfreds' webste says that THEY have no intention of calling it a day yet.

As might be expected, Jones' voice does not quite have the power or attack that used to be prevalent on the early recordings but his blues harmonica playing remains a sight to behold. He is amazing and stands as one of this country's outsanding musicians in this field. He still has a golint of mischief in his eye and the rakish charm for which he has been known throughout his long and varied career in the public eye. He delivered the goods time and again as he trotted out the hots of Manfred Mann including 5, 4, 3, 2, 1... and Pretty Flamingo along with The Eskimo Quinn (The Mighty Quinn). But it is clear that his hear lays firmly in the jazz and blues field. The show opened with a jazz/blues number in The Tengo Tango and we were treated repeatedly to blues infused rock or jazz.

Alongside Paul Jones, the other long-time member is Tom McGuiness who began his career in a band called The Roosters with a certain Mr Eric Clapton and after leaving Manfred Mann, formed McGuiness Flint before later re-emerging in The Blues Band. McGuiness remains a masterful blues guitarist, who makes everything look so simple and so easy. He performed some of his own hits including Malt And Barley Blues and When I'm Dead and Gone. He has lost none of his sublime skils and can make the guitar (or mandolin) perform exactly as he wants. The laid back, easy-going style is like honey for the ears; no hystrionic guitar solos that make your ears bleed, but riffs and solos that slide in to your consciousness and rest easily there.

We were also treated to solo spots from Marcus Cliffe as he performed his interpretation of Curtis Mayfield's People Get Ready with simple accompaniment from his bass and loop station as the rest of the band took their leave. It was a really interesting take on the song and highlighted just how good a bassist Cliffe really is.

Simon Currie's solo spot came as he performed Diamond in the Sand with Mike Gorman accompanying him. The breath-taking tune soared and swept as the audience hung on every note from this masterful musician. He may take a back seat as a Manfred, but as a musician he can stand proud and take the applause for his virtuosity.

The rock at the rear of the stage was ever-reliable Martin Wilde on drums, pounding like a steam train through some complex blues and offering his own interpretation as a jazz drummer when the moments allowed.

My personal favourites during the evening alonside some of the aforementioned tunes were, Watermelon Man and Losing You To The Blues In Me. The latter really slid down like a fine wine as McGuiness gave it his all.

I don't know how much longer The Manfreds will keep performing live, its in their DNA to reproduce blistering R & B performed with such gusto during their illustrious career, such as Smokestack Lightning or I'm Your Kingpin, and as long as crowds flock to hear Doo Wah Diddy I am sure that the band wil ignore the advice of their own encore this evening which declared If You've Gotta Go, Go Now. All power to The Manfreds - see them while you still have the chance.

Andy Evans - 17 September 2022









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