Manfred Mann’s Earth Band – Angel Station (1979)

Manfred was the keyboard player in the 60’s band named after him, apparently as it sounded so different.  He was a South African who survived the demise of the original band and as he already had name recognition even though he was not the lead singer, he used the name again.  The personnel in the band were quite fluid except of course for Manfred who wrote most of the material for the group.  This was actually the band’s ninth record, though this one was far more popular than most of the earlier ones, maybe because of the hit single ‘You Angel You’, a brilliant Dylan cover.  They really hit their stride with this record, a mix of Art rock and classic driving rock but with gentler moments too, and all driven by Manfred’s immaculate keyboards.  It has remained a real favourite of mine over the years along with the darker ‘Somewhere in Africa’.  Best songs on this – opener ‘Don’t Kill It Carol’, ‘Belle Of The Earth’ and ‘You Are – I Am’.