The Earth Band was, from a pop perspective, almost deliberately contrary, but combined the stylistic approach of progressive rock with Mann's keen ear for melody. Mann's interest in English 20th century classical music saw him re-create Gustav Holst's Planets Suite, garnering an unlikely UK hit with a version of the "Jupiter" movement that had lyrics added and entitled "Joybringer". Their 1973 album The Good Earth tapped into ecological concerns, a recurring theme in Mann's music in later years, and had a free gift of a piece of land in Wales with each album sold.
The membership of the Earth Band was relatively informal; Mick Rogers originally performed lead guitar and lead vocal duties before being replaced by Chris Thompson on vocals and Dave Flett on guitar. Drumming duties were fulfilled by Chris Slade, who was later to be a member of AC/DC and Asia in a long and varied career which perhaps can be summed up by his being released by AC/DC despite being, according to the rest of the band, the best musician in the band. Similarly, the technically skilled bass player Colin Pattenden, after leaving the Earth Band, became a sound consultant, running his own company designing and installing sound systems. There was much about the Earth Band that was potentially successful, but the contrariness of the band's approach and Mann's perfectionism meant that albums frequently came out with different track listings in different territories, or in alternative versions.
The breakthrough for the band in the US came when they had a No. 1 pop charts hit in early 1977 with Bruce Springsteen's "Blinded by the Light". While the Springsteen original from 1973's Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J. album has a folky, acoustic sound, the Manfred Mann's Earth Band version is driving rock, combining Mann's Moog synthesizer and organ work with Flett's guitar. Manfred can be heard singing at the end of "Blinded By The Light", in the round, with Thompson - it was this feature of the song that initially attracted him. The band took advantage of the publicity and re-released another Springsteen song, "Spirit in the Night", which had been recorded the previous year on Nightingales and Bombers, originally with Rogers on vocals although for some territories it was re-recorded with a vocal from Thompson.
Nightingales and Bombers, The Roaring Silence, and Watch are considered the highlight of the Earth Band's achievement. Watch produced another hit single in "Davy's On The Road Again", and the albums were innovative and original despite the dependence on covers of other artists' songs. Nightingales and Bombers took its title from a World War II naturalist's recording of a nightingale singing in a garden as warplanes flew overhead; the recording appears in a track on the album. Roaring Silence featured a guest appearance by jazz saxophonist Barbara Thompson, and Watch included two stand-out recordings from the bands live performances of "Davy's On The Road Again" and "Mighty Quinn".
Flett left before 1979's Angel Station to be replaced by Steve Waller, sharing the vocal duties with Thompson who was also intent on pursuing a solo career. 1980's Chance showed a move towards a more electronic approach, and produced several cuts that were hits in the UK and/or saw significant airplay in both the US and UK. The songs "Lies (All Through The 80's)", "Stranded", and "For You" (another Springsteen song) still receive significant airplay over 25 years since their release.
Mann became very active in the international anti-apartheid movement, and was banned from entering South Africa, the country in which he had been born. Instead members of the band made journeys to South Africa to record African musicians for the album Somewhere in Afrika, pre-figuring Paul Simon's Graceland. The album included a cover of The Police's "Demolition Man" and a well-received version of Bob Marley's "Redemption Song", which remains in the band's set today. American versions of the album also included Ian Thomas's "The Runner", whose music video had images of the Munich and Montreal Olympic Games, and which enjoyed much airtime in the lead-up to the Los Angeles Olympics.
Manfred Mann's Earth Band has continued recording to the present day, covering tracks by artists as varied as Paul Weller, Robert Cray, Del Amitri, and The Lovin' Spoonful. Mann has also released a solo project, Plains Music, based on Native American music, and his latest album, 2006, includes collaborations with the German rapper Thomas D and tracks featuring the music of, amongst others, the Super Furry Animals. The Earth Band remain active in live performances in Europe, with a line up that includes both Manfred Mann and Mick Rogers.
Most of the band's albums have been re-released in recent years and a 4-CD set featuring many previously unissued versions of tracks was released in August 2005. This includes material from the unreleased (and thought to be lost) Manfred Mann ChapterIII Volume 3 album and the first Earth Band album, Stepping Sideways. The fourth CD in the package includes both unreleased studio material and live performances.
Visionary Mountains
Manfred Mann's Earth Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Visionary mountains
Above and afar
Like answers to questions
Of life, Love
Love and the longing to survive
Are words I create
Today the parting
Tonight, tonight
At the peak of your
Visionary mountains
Visionary mountains
Above and afar
Like answers to questions
Of life, Love
Visionary mountains
Visionary mountains
Above and afar
Like answers to questions
Of life, Love
Love and the longing to survive
Love and the longing to survive
"Visionary Mountains" is a song by Manfred Mann's Earth Band that speaks of a spiritual journey where one seeks truth and love in the mountains. The lyrics suggest that the mountains represent a place of questioning and seeking answers. The title "Visionary Mountains" can be interpreted as a metaphor for seeking enlightenment or wisdom beyond what is visible in the physical world. The mountains are seen as a place where one can find the answers to life's questions, including the need for love and survival.
The first verse begins by describing the "visionary mountains" as being above and far away. The singer sees them as answers to the questions of life and love. The mountains represent a spiritual journey towards enlightenment and self-discovery. They hold the answers to life's most profound questions, questions that we all ask at some point in our lives. The second verse speaks of how the singer creates words that are distorted, but hold a truth that is unique to their experience. Today, they part ways with their past, seeking answers to their questions, and tonight they will reach the peak of the visionary mountains.
Overall, "Visionary Mountains" is a song about the quest for truth, love, and understanding, a journey of the soul to find enlightenment.
Line by Line Meaning
Visionary mountains
The mountains in the distance represent a hope for something greater.
Above and afar
The mountains are high and distant, providing a sense of wonder and aspiration.
Like answers to questions
The mountains offer a sense of clarity and comprehension where there once was confusion and ambiguity.
Of life, Love
The questions being answered relate to the meaning of existence and the role of love within it.
Love and the longing to survive
The desire to find love and survive as a species are intertwined in this search for meaning.
Truth though distorted
The truth may be difficult to discern or may be deliberately misrepresented.
Are words I create
The singer is forced to make their own interpretation of reality, as the truth is not readily available.
Today the parting
The separation or end of a relationship is occurring in the present.
Tonight, tonight
The departure is imminent and looming over the present moment.
At the peak of your
The artist is referring to another person, who is at the apex of their own personal journey.
Visionary mountains
The same mountains as mentioned earlier, representing the other person's aspirations and sense of purpose.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: NESTOR ARMATRADING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
CJ's Vinyl
Fantastic! So warm, yet so dynamic. I can just picture those ohm meters kicking back and forth. So moving, heighten senses, emotional rush, beautiful! Wonderful recording!
flykeys
Manfred Mann is master of complex arrangements. Semi-acoustic ballad became a hard rock/prog rock anthem
zonder hok
величайшее произведение, а на виниле так вообще нечто святое)) Т_Т
Michael Klevers
Something unbelievable! The best album of MMEB.. Don't forget of Spirit In The Night..
Олег Горбунов
epic song!
sansui77
Such a fantastic song. Great solo and bass and voice and keyboards. Did Manfred Mann played the first part of solo followed by Mick Rogers guitar licks? I truly need a video of this to see it myself. Can someone please provide me the video of this PLEASE!
Юрий Погребняк
Незаслуженно забытая группа,а эта композиция-шедевр
flykeys
Sometimes Manfred's Minimoog timbre is indistinguishable from electric guitar, when he's playing clean tone with no pitch/modulation effects. 1:45 guitar 1:59 Minimoog 2:31 Minimoog 3:09 guitar
Carlito Falcon
Dynamite 🧨 Tune ✓
alain massard
la quintessance ou la quintessence, mais immense!