Solar Fire

1. Father of Day, Father of Night

2. In the Beginning, Darkness

3. Pluto the Dog

4. Solor Fire

5. Saturn, Lord of the Ring/Mercury the Winged Messenger

6. Earth, The Circle, Pt. 2

7. Earth, The Circle, Pt. 1

8. Joybringer [*]

9. Father of Day, Father of Night [Edited Version][*]

Solar Fire,Manfred Mann's Earth Band,Friday Music,Pop,Pop/Rock,Prog-Rock/Art Rock,Rock,Rock/Pop

Solar Fire

Average customer rating:

Replacing my well-worn vinyl copy
a timeless classic
Underrated and forgotten but great music
An overlooked prog album of considerable quality

Solar Fire
Manfred Mann's Earth Band
Manufacturer: Friday Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music
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Nightingales and Bombers
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Messin'
Angel Station
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ASIN: B00029RTL2
Release Date: 2004-06-29

Tracks:

Father of Day, Father of Night
In the Beginning, Darkness
Pluto the Dog
Solor Fire
Saturn, Lord of the Ring/Mercury the Winged Messenger
Earth, The Circle, Pt. 2
Earth, The Circle, Pt. 1
Joybringer [*]
Father of Day, Father of Night [Edited Version][*]

Album Description

After riding the worldwide pop music charts for over a decade, Manfred Mann created an even larger chapter in rock music history with his Manfred Mann's Earth Band. Created at the height of album rock radio, Manfred Mann's Earth Band landed their first three albums on the charts as they increased their loyal following throughout concert halls in the United States. 1974 proved to be a pivotal year for the band as they released their biggest selling album at that time with Solar Fire. Originally released in the States with the international hit single "Joybringer" (based around Holst's Planets Suite), this album has stood the test of time and is regarded as one of the band's strongest efforts ever.

Aside from the thematic approach of rocking tracks like the title song "Solar Fire" and "Darkness, From The Beginning", this album really gained a whole new audience with the epic Bob Dylan remake of "Father Of Day, Father Of Night." This ten-minute anthem would go on to be one of Mann's most respected and most articulate works of this era. The fans dug it and have gone on to make this album one of their most enduring of the Manfred Mann's Earth Band diverse catalog.

By popular demand, Friday Music's good friends at Creature Music are proud to present another installment in the Manfred Mann's Earth Band Re-Masters series with the classic Solar Fire. Originally released on Polydor in 1974, this amazing album hasn't seen the light of day in North America for many years until now. Aside from the great songs that you already know, Manfred has gone back into the vaults and found an unreleased alternate 45 edit of "Father Of Day, Father Of Night", as well as the aforementioned international hit single of "Joybringer" which was never featured on the European vinyl release. As always, Mann and Creature Music team have overseen the entire process of remastering the original recordings and artwork restoration, maintaining the importance of this timeless classic and the other CD's in this exclusive series. As you will hear with this following recording, this was the start of something big for Mann & Company as decades of million sellers and hit recordings would follow the lead created by the fantastic Solar Fire.

Customer Reviews:

Replacing my well-worn vinyl copy.......2006-06-07

Despite the long delay and higher price, I went ahead and ordered this from Amazon so I can replace the record I have had since I was in college. I don't know why Joybringer is listed as a "bonus track" when it was included on the original LP, but as long as it's on the CD I'll be happy. I can't recommend this music highly enough.

a timeless classic.......2006-05-07

I just recently repurchased this album, and I am absolutely thrilled with the great sounds on it. When I was a kid back in 74 I used to love it, but then it disappeared, like so many things... The musicianship is great, every song develops into great musical expression, interesting guitar and organwork, phantastic. I am sometimes reminded of Gentle Giants contemporary music. Get it if you see it.

Underrated and forgotten but great music.......2005-10-11

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM, This is agreat album. The Dylan cover Father,,, is worth all the space it takes up and Circle, Pluto, the title track and most of all Joybringer are classic. Manfred Mann might have better songs in his bag but no better album than this one.

An overlooked prog album of considerable quality.......2004-11-30

A fine 1974 progressive rock album loosely, pretentiously and comically echoing Holst's Planets Suite. I recommend to fans of the ilk and era.

Average customer rating:

NOT THE BEST AUDIO VERSION AVAILABLE

Solar Fire
Manfred Mann's Earth Band
Manufacturer: Airmail
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0009J8KF4
Release Date: 2005-06-06

Tracks:

Father Of Day, Father Of Night
In The Beginning, Darkness
Pluto The Dog
Solar Fire
Saturn, Lord Of The Ring Mercury, The Winged Messenger
Earth, The Circle Part 2
Earth, The Circle Part 1

Album Description

Japanese reissue of the popular rock band's 1973 album, packaged in a limited edition miniature LP sleeve. This recording of Manfred Mann's Earth Band has been digitally remastered and includes 2 bonus tracks --- Details TBA. Air Mail. 2005.

Customer Reviews:

NOT THE BEST AUDIO VERSION AVAILABLE.......2006-06-14

The MMEB catalog has been remastered for this 2005 LP-mini-sleeve series, but, unfortunately, the results are not up to par with the 1999 Cohesion remasters.

When A/B'ing both versions, the Cohesion discs have more definition and clarity, most notably in the persussion. Cue up "Pluto The Dog" on both discs and you can instantly hear the difference.

So, the only reason for paying this high price is for the mini-sleeve itself. As most of the original MMEB LP releases were pretty simple cover designs, there isn't much justification for spending 3-4X over the Cohesion jewel-cased versions.

Average customer rating:

Solar Fire
Manfred Mann
Manufacturer: Creature
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000N0JPGW
Release Date: 2004-04-05

Average customer rating:

Solar Fire
S Earth Manfred Mann
Manufacturer: Phantom Sound & Vision
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B00000E0RW
Release Date: 1996-11-21

Average customer rating:

Fantastic progressive hard rock
Manfred the moogy Mann
Matches the best of ELP and Pink Floyd
Darkness in the Beginning...
The ultimate Earth Band album

Solar Fire
Manfred Mann's Earth Band
Manufacturer: Cohesion Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

British Invasion | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
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Nightingales and Bombers
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ASIN: B000000143
Release Date: 1996-07-02

Tracks:

Father of Day, Father of Night - Manfred Mann's Earth Band, Manfred Mann, Manfred Mann
In the Beginning, Darkness
Pluto the Dog
Solar Fire
Saturn, Lord of the Ring/Mercury, the Winged Messenger
Earth, the Circle, Pt. 2
Earth, the Circle, Pt. 1

Album Description

Digitally remastered reissue of 1973 album, complete withfaithfully restored artwork, all seven of the original cuts& two bonus tracks, 'Joybringer' & 'Father Of Day, Father OfNight' (Edited Version). Nine tracks total. 1998 CreatureMusic Ltd. release.

Album Details

Remastered Version with Unreleased Bonus Tracks.

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic progressive hard rock.......2006-04-22

I have been aware of Manfred Mann for a long time, thanks to the endless cycling of his smash hit remake of Springsteen's "Blinded by the Light" on classic rock radio stations here in Massachusetts. Although I was a little uncertain, the positive reviews of Solar Fire by other proggers, the Gustav Holst-ish Planets theme, and the album cover art (which depicts a very cool star field) were far too much to resist. The Solar Fire album was released in 1973 and features great keyboardist Manfred Mann himself (Hammond organ, mellotron, mini-moog); along with a cast of very good musicians including Colin Pattenden (Rickenbacker bass); Chris Slade (drums); and Mick Rogers (guitars, lead vocals). In addition, there are occasional backup vocals provided by Doreen and Irene Chamber. The opening track is a 9'53" prog remake of Bob Dylan's, Father of Day, Father of Night, which is really terrific and sets the tone for the rest of the album. The other tracks feature well-played proggy hard rock (In the Beginning, Darkness), excellent instrumentals (Pluto the Dog; Saturn, Lord of the Ring/Mercury the Winged Messenger), along with all around well-played hard prog (the rest of the album). Although musicologist Edward Macan has referred to this band as "unclassifiable", there are distinct musical styles that dominate the album including progressive rock and hard rock, although there is some space rock too. In fact, some of Deep Purple's proggier moments come to mind, although the music on Solar Fire is a little more complicated and proggier. There is great melodic and harmonic development, not to mention excellent dynamic contrast. For me, the trebly Rickenbacker bass work of Colin Pattenden, along with the banks of analog synthesizers used by Manfred really make this album work. In fact, synthesizers are used all over the album. The remastered CD is very good and features great sound quality along with copious liner notes. The track listing on this album is as it originally appeared in 1973, with both Earth Circle Parts 1 and 2 included. The bonus tracks include the very pleasant and poppy Joybringer, which was an adaptation of Holst's Jupiter: Bringer of Jollity released on the progressive Vertigo label, in addition to an edited version of Father of Night, Father of Day. All in all, I would have to highly recommend this album to anybody interested in progressive hard rock.

Manfred the moogy Mann.......2002-11-26

''Solar Fire'' sounds pretty much 70's, kinda heavy progressive---and a bit jazzy---without too much artifice. Mann's "trademark" sound we hear on his other albums is there : "Darkness", the second track, makes efficient use of keyboards, including a spacey organ that expands the atmospheric feel. The whole album, from the rebuilt "Father of Day" (Dylan) to "Earth the Circle", shows Manfred Mann's ability to focus on good, steady music making. Rogers, Slade and Pattenden were perfect mates for M.M. ; the original Earth Band, as this album shows, was creative and inspired, more so than in subsequent lineups---although a part of the "recent" material is equally excellent. The evolution in the course of Manfred Mann's distinctive career, since the late 1950's, shifted "progressively" toward an extensive use of moog and synthesizers during the 1970's. The Earth Band's epoch further advanced his own exploration for the possibilities of some electronic instruments (thus, the progressive sound following the late 60's psychedelic sound of previous albums ; for example, some titles from 'Chapter Two' and 'Chapter Three'). ''Solar Fire'' comprises a few incendiary moments, such as the middle section and closure of the Dylan song, as well as the last couple of minutes of "The Winged Messenger" (armed to the teeth with iron-fisted guitar solos hammering like a hard-rock frenzy). The rather strange "Pluto the Dog" is entertaining and musically challenging. The few sections inspired by Holst's `The Planets` are another special trait of this album. The title track is a classic, accented by earthly left-right vocals : We're living in the age of stereo, isn't it! The same sort of left-right stereo effect was dynamically used with fine results for a dueling guitar dialogue in "Darkness". The music abounds with fire, energy and a sort of combustive strength. This is one of the finest progressive rock albums of the 70's and one of the best LPs created by Manfred Mann.*****

Matches the best of ELP and Pink Floyd.......2002-01-08

Well, I just thought six 5 star reviews for Solar Fire is way too little, so I gave a "Yes helpful" count to all of you six reviewers (hey nice), and add this review of my own.
Many a man only knows Manfred Mann from his early 60's hits like
Pretty Flamingo, Ha ha said the clown (which are fine when you're in the right mood). But boy what a revelation is Solar Fire!!
This space odyssey hasn't one dull moment, the guitars and
synthesizers are just perfect: wild enough but never over the top
as can be e.g. YES, Greenslade, or King Crimson. This piece of art is in the same league as ELP's Tarkus and Pink Floyd's
Dark side of the moon, and that's no easy feat!
This record adds to the quality of life.

Darkness in the Beginning..........2001-11-16

Solar Fire... A MUST for any Rock 'n Roll fan. I had the pleasure to listen to this LP for the first time like 22 years ago. Then, the LP just disappeared from my archives. Though, never from my mind. If you haven't listened to it... Buy it!!! you won't regret.

The ultimate Earth Band album.......2001-08-28

This album has been with me for a better portion of my life. My dad bought this on LP back around 1979, an American copy on Polydor, which includes "Joybringer" (the British hit that was only released as a single over there) and only one "Earth, The Circle", the one that ends with the cool piano at the end. I am not much of an Earth Band fan, mainly because I find so much of what they released quite inconsistent (not to mention later albums like Angel Station and Chance sounding too commercial for my liking). But for me, Solar Fire is the ultimate album, and if you're a lover of '70s progressive rock, you can't go wrong here, as it's by far their most progressive album. Whenever you hear this album, it's hard to believe this is the same Manfred Mann who brought us "Doo Wah Diddy", which is a staple of oldies stations everywhere (well, not exactly, the bands were different, but it was Mann himself that was the common to "Do Wah Diddy" and Solar Fire). There isn't a bad song on this album. I can't even believe how they took a Bob Dylan song, "Father of Day, Father of Night" and turn it in to a nine minute long prog epic! "Saturn, Lord of the Ring, Mercury the Winged Messenger" is nothing short of an amazing instrumental, particularly the spacy middle and rocking ending. I don't think there's a song on this album that I like better than the rest, which is great news. This whole album has that wonderful '70s feel, and every time I hear this album, I am taken back to that day when my dad first bought this album. It also makes me forget the pathetic state of music of the present (N' Sync, Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, etc.). I can very honestly recommend Solar Fire to even those not much of an Earth Band fan. It's that great!