Putney 22 February 2015

[Michael Heatley]

Just thought I'd start the ball rolling!

The first ever album launch without albums..but it didn't seem to matter.

Badgemeister Gough in full effect. (Photo later.)

Olly Goodwin running over halfway through to exclaim 'James Beck is brilliant!'

More later...still in bed.

[Alan Davies]

Just got an email from Spotify announcing the availability of Reanimated Memories. Try before you buy.

[Dave Bardsley]

Olly certainly got it right about James Beck. I have extolled his virtues on here before but his interplay with Phil was outstanding last night.  Their play in Spunk Rock was worth the entry fee on it own.  My preference for the older Man songs that were played is probably based on familiarity but I prefer them to play the longer episodic (is that a word?) pieces that give them a chance to play with and off each other.  Hence really pleased with Spunk Rock, Conflict of Interest, Bananas (with extended contribution from BJ Cole giving it a more gentle, melodic edge).  The set also included C'mon, MACBFGU, Dream Away and Romain to keep the old boys happy.  I don't like passing opinions on new songs - there's always too much to take in on a first listening - but it will be interesting to see how In Time will develop (given the chance).  The Ballard of Billy Lee didn't work for me but the other new songs were pleasant enough, albeit the vocals were sometimes shaky.

Anyway I'm glad I went (and I now have my Bananas badge  ).  It was good to meet up with the Goughs and the Heron again among others.  Also to chat briefly with Phil & James and meet John McKenzie.  I can't guess at numbers but the venue was comfortably full (more than expected?) which ought to please the band, even though the CDs failed to show up; but that's hardly surprising in the World of Man...

[Iowerth Pritchard]

Just got an email from Spotify announcing the availability of Reanimated Memories. Try before you buy.

You heard the first track ('Ballad of Billy Lee') and thought it sounded familiar, then I realised - it's Help Yourself's 'Cowboy Song' from the '5' album!

[Iowerth Pritchard]

Just got an email from Spotify announcing the availability of Reanimated Memories. Try before you buy.

You heard the first track ('Ballad of Billy Lee') and thought it sounded familiar, then I realised - it's Help Yourself's 'Cowboy Song' from the '5' album!

Which was written by Martin Ace.

[Rob W]

5 posts in the 'With Spoilers' section, and only one post being a spoiler     Thanks The Bard.

When I noticed the 'Ballad of Billy Lee' within the tracklistings the other day, it reminded me of MA's 'Cowboy Song', though I didn't think it would be the same. 

Seems like the older numbers were still the same older numbers, and no surprise thrown in the mix (they have played Sudden Life as stated on a previous post, previously) which is a shame. As I used to say in the MJ/DL days, with such a back catalogue, I often felt short changed that only the same old numbers were played.

Fair play to those that went. Though unless I'm missing the point and/or the joke, wearing a badge is so utterly naff. Sorry (digs trench and puts an extremely reinforced tin hat on). 

[Michael Heatley]

Seems like the older numbers were still the same older numbers, which is a shame.

I would have to respectfully disagree here, Rob, as a remarkably large proportion of 150-ish crowd were non-fanatics and were calling for the obvious stuff from the outset.

Given the amount of new stuff they did in a two-hour set (most if not all the seven being first live performances) I guess they would have seen Bananas etc as welcome respite. Also, with BJ there and needing in-song coaching, even Bananas was a little different…

[Rob W]

Seems like the older numbers were still the same older numbers, which is a shame.

I would have to respectfully disagree here, Rob, as a remarkably large proportion of 150-ish crowd were non-fanatics and were calling for the obvious stuff from the outset.

Given the amount of new stuff they did in a two-hour set (most if not all the seven being first live performances) I guess they would have seen Bananas etc as welcome respite. Also, with BJ there and needing in-song coaching, even Bananas was a little different…

Yep, I'll take that reply. 

[Michael Heatley]

Anyone take any pictures - we want to put one in the newsletter!

Ta

M

PS Rob - thanks for th'above...

[Michael Heatley]

The Goughmeister has supplied!

[Tim W]

A bunch of pics from Duisberg, taken by Horst Engels are now available at http://www.manband.co.uk/NEWgallery/main.php?cmd=album

[Michael Heatley]

Nice work Tim & Horst!

[Allan Heron]

Martin appears to have had his hair cut!  Looks shorter than it was in February.

[Jules]

Excellent! Some great shots in there. Looks like a bit of serious grooving going down.

[Barry Island]

Martin appears to have had his hair cut!  Looks shorter than it was in February.

As it was two months ago Allan I suspect he may have had a haircut or he may be going back into the future and his hair is actually growing back into his head. Wonder which it is? Has anyone asked the great man yet?