Man to live for to die

[Newyorkmanfan]

Hey There. I managed to get a hold of a CD copy of Man to live for to die and even though it is a poor recording on a tape recorder, I dig some of the embryonic material on that gig. What do you guys think of the gig despite the recording? I like the embryonic versions of would the christians and the song conscience.

[Nick Nation]

Hi New York, I love this album - there was a thread discussing it here: http://www.manband-archive.com/forum/index.php?topic=2946.0 in which we waxed lyrical. In fact we did the entire catalogue under the headings 'Album By Album'

[Newyorkmanfan]

Me too! Clive mentioned that it was his favorite recording and I can see why. I feel it represents what the man band were all about. Btw I'm wondering about the double vinyl album on violet systems and I know you have a copy Nick. I would like to buy a copy but it's probably impossible to find one in good playable condition. Do you know anyone with a copy of the album for sale? It would be greatly appreciate. Favorite tracks?

[Nick Nation]

Do you know anyone with a copy of the album for sale? It would be greatly appreciate. Favorite tracks?

Don't know of a copy for sale I'm afraid. Will bear it in mind, though! My favourite track is probably 'Conscience', especially as it wasn't commercially available elsewhere...until it was covered by Son Of Man for their second album. Also I like Clint's solo on 'Spunk Rock'. 

[Newyorkmanfan]

Clint's playing was really good on spunk rock. I find that this recording is a testament to how big Clint's influence was musically on the group which a lot people tend to forget about his presence in the early days. Love the guitar harmonies on conscience. Just a quick question when do you think conscience was written? I've seen on the forum that one member said he thinks its a martin ace number but I've heard from george jones that it was written around the 2 oz of plastic sessions. What do you think? With the vinyl I think I'll be ok for now but if one comes up I will consider. Also I heard from a deke leonard interview that the man band even though I know quicksilver messenger was one of the biggest influences on man along with Frank zappa although on this recording of spunk rock I hear a ray mazerek influence on Clive's keyboard playing. Do you think the doors had influenced the man band? Thanks. 

[Nick Nation]

....although on this recording of spunk rock I hear a ray mazerek influence on Clive's keyboard playing. Do you think the doors had influenced the man band? Thanks. 

Clive's 'It Is As It Must Be' (aka 'Shit On The World') off the '2oz' album was based on The Doors 'Five To One' and the two were combined on the 'Manipulated' mashup CD.

[Newyorkmanfan]

Would love to listen to the manipulated CD. I checked out the doors 5 to one and the riff is very similar and I see the resemblances to shit on the world but on the other hand man really made it much heavier. Cool stuff. Btw with the alchemist do you know what words are muttered in the beginning before the really heavy riff? Thanks.

[Newyorkmanfan]

Btw Nick sorry if this is not related but it's been a real pleasure talking to you about this album. The responses made my day since I'm an 18 year old college student doing everything online which is stressful and I've not been able to meet up with any people since I'm stuck at my parents home but to live for to die and the man band overall has kept me sane through these tough and weird times and I would like to thank you for talking with me about man. Thanks!

[Nick Nation]

You're welcome NewYork, it's always a pleasure to talk about Man!

If you want to hear a track off 'Manipulated' you'll find it on my out of date website here http://www.nicknation.co.uk/Manipulated.html

I must get round to updating my site, however I've forgotten how to do it and in any case otherwise engaged doing the new 'Celia Gang' CD.

[Newyorkmanfan]

Thanks so much! I'll check it out once my semester is done. What's up with your new project by the way? How's that going along? When is the cd coming out?

[Newyorkmanfan]

Btw I know this was mentioned in the to live for to die thread but on scholar of consciousness I hear the :"my eyes are burning" riff on many are called but few get up which is interesting to see how early it came up. There is also the guitar lick that micky jones plays when they transition out of  the first break into the the buildup of the "my eyes are burning" riff on the embryonic version of would the christians towards the ending funky jam. 

[Nick Nation]

....on the embryonic version of would the christians towards the ending funky jam. 

Yes, it really is an embryonic album - lots of bits resurfaced over the years.

Btw with the alchemist do you know what words are muttered in the beginning before the really heavy riff? Thanks.

Will have another listen in due course....

What's up with your new project by the way? How's that going along? When is the cd coming out?

It's called 'The Adventures Of The Celia Gang' (or words to that effect - not sure) and it's about my friends Celia and Celia (one of whom is a forum member) and our mates and what we get up to. Sounds promising until you realise the age range is 50 - 70, so there's things like 'Chesty Cough' (complete with cough solo) 'Repeat Prescription' etc etc - there are some long term Man fans amongst us, so there's a song called 'Listening To Man' based on the embryonic (that word again) version of 'C'Mon'. 25 songs, about 55 minutes, currently at the mixing stage. Hopefully ready by Xmas and the Xmas jam. Probably CD, maybe a download, but then I would be out of my depth!

[Newyorkmanfan]

Anything man related is good. I'll still look forward to it .

[Newyorkmanfan]

I think what I still love about to live for to die is the fact it is from an era of the man band where recordings and footage of the band is virtually nonexistent and it's great to hear how all the material developed into later albums and how they became a jam based act. I think too it would have been a good live album if they had the proper equipment to record it and not a cassette recorder. Btw did Clive john play guitar on conscience. I know Micky is playing rhythm but I can't work out if deke played slide on the track? Sorry if I'm asking a lot of questions its a fascinating recording.

[Pete T]

..25 songs, about 55 minutes, currently at the mixing stage. Hopefully ready by Xmas and the Xmas jam. Probably CD, maybe a download, but then I would be out of my depth!

..On CD please, although I download, I always like to have a hard copy..