The very idea that
Manfred Mann, perhaps Great Britain's longest running
rock band -- other than
the Rolling Stones -- would have "hits" in the 21st century is rather odd and inaccurate (perhaps "hits according to who?" is the question). This set nonetheless features two CDs and 36 tracks. Virtually every single from the earliest
Manfred Mann band is here, including
"Do Wah Diddy Diddy," "Mighty Quinn," "5-4-3-2-1," "Sha La La," "Hubble Bubble (Toil And Trouble)," as well as wild covers of the hits of the day -- because after all,
Manfred Mann were, more than anything else, a cover band --
"Fox on the Run," "Handbags and Glad Rags," "Just Like a Woman," "If You Gotta Go, Go Now," and of course, the tracks that put retirement money in
Bruce Springsteen's bank account:
"Blinded By The Light," "For You," and
"Spirits In the Night." (Some would argue that these versions are better than "the Boss'", but it's only one of those eternal pop culture arguments that are as pointless as Top Ten lists). Also included are such late efforts as a read of
Bob Marley's
"Redemption Song" -- after
Joe Strummer's brilliant job of it, there should be no more -- and an acoustic version of
"For You." The question is, does anyone need two CDs worth of
Manfred Mann? ~ Thom Jurek
