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Unbelievably, this is Guy Manning’s tenth
studio album in as many years, hence the title. Producing
an album a year would be a task for most artists, but the
consistency of the quality of his songwriting throughout
each album is nothing short of staggering. Strangely, with
this latest offering Guy just missed the album a year mark
by just a few weeks.***
“Number 10” is the second release on the
UK Festival Music Label, following on from the exceptional
“Songs from the Bilston House”. This is also the second
to be co-produced by Andy Tillison of The Tangent, which
Guy is also a member of. Both have worked together for many
years and having Andy on board has added an extra musical
punch to both albums.***
This latest collection starts off in fine
fashion with the storming rocker “Ships” about a relationship
that is all at sea! The opening has some scorching Hammond
playing, very ELP! Great guitar work by David Million on
this too. Next up is “The Final Chapter” which is another
great uptempo number with a very nice synth solo in the
middle. “An Ordinary Day”, one of Guy’s most observational
songs and also one of his most beautiful. There is a delicacy
and airiness about this song that is quite breathtaking.
There is nothing delicate about “Bloody Holiday! ”, a wry
observational piece and with a catchy chorus that will be
ringing in your ears for days! Possibly this is the finest
prog song about holidays since Gentle Giants “Two Weeks
In Spain”. It may actually be the only one! “A Valentines
Night” is an excellent duet between Guy and Mrs Manning,
Julie King who did a wonderful vocal on The Tangents “Four
Egos, One War” from their last album. “A Road Less Travelled”
is the first of two extended pieces, which allow the musicians
to stretch out. Quite a Celtic feel to this, with some fantastic
fiddle playing by Ian Fairbairn. Guy has really surrounded
himself with a host of fantastic musicians on this album,
all who work in complete empathy with Guys music. “Another
Lazy Sunday” is another accurately observed song with Laura
Fowles sax very much to the fore on this.***
The whole album ends in spectacular fashion
with the 15 minute “A House on the Hill”. This for me is
one of Guys best compositions ever. Lyrically this seems
to be a tale of love across time and reminds me of the 1980
film “Somewhere In Time” which starred Christopher Reeve
and Jane Seymour. There is an excellent musical build up
from the simple piano led opening (which to my ears has
echo’s of Peter Hammill at his most reflective) and which
peaks with the muscualr instrumental mid-section penned
by Guy and Andy Tillison. The songs finale offers a pleasing
emotional climax to the story and clearly shows what a great
lyricist Guy is.***
There are very few artists today who apply
the craft of the classic singer/songwriter within the prog
genre. The only other that comes to mind is Steve Thorne.
Guy over the course of ten years has refined his style,
built up a group of excellent supporting musicians and has
consistently produced work of such a high standard. “Number
10” is up there with his best, which is most of his output
and is a very fitting celebration of ten years worth of
superb music. Here’s to another ten.***
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