Unusual Weather (1986, Windham Hill)
This week I will be reviewing the Michael Manring debut solo album, Unusual Weather, released in 1986 (or 1985/89 as posted by WindhamHillLovers).
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Basically this was his first release. There are 13 tracks on the album, making it 46 minutes and 32 seconds long. Since I can't find much other info on this album or these songs, I will explain, from my own personal listening experience that the songs "Welcoming" and "Homeward" are the two that stand out for me. They are beautiful recordings, containing the soprano saxophone, except that "Welcoming" has an evening vibe, creating an atmosphere of darkness and looking up at the night sky where "Homeward" is brighter and has an autumn feel to it. These songs are what make Unusual Weather one of my top favorite Michael Manring albums.
The rest of the album is beautiful as well, but hey I'm sure you think differently about the album. Let me know your opinions in the comment section below. Or if you love this song, be sure to listen to the full album here via playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB2697EA67646C11C
Reviews:
5.0 out of 5 stars
WAY ABOVE OTHERS IN THE GENRE
Posted on: April 12, 2004
By: Crabby Apple Mick Lee
Format: CD
"I have owned this CD (copy) for over fifteen years and it has to be one of the best New Age albums I have ever heard. Manring is a bassist whose talents push the other instrumentalists to reach for excellence the way Jack Bruce used to do in his Cream days. This CD is always interesting and well played. There is nary a bass solo as such which illustrates Manring's conception of the bass as an instrument that drives the music rather than an overlooked part of the ensemble. Don't expect any notions of "sword and magic" here common among many New Age artists. This is simply wonderful instrumentals presented with intelligence and taste."
4.0 out of 4 stars
Serene and Clever
Posted on: June 30, 2005
By: Javier Navas
Format: CD
"Apart from being the number one of virtuoso bassists in New Age style, this guy has the ability of creating nice atmospheres and textures, as you can tell in the first track, the delicious 'Welcoming' which for me remains as a highlight of the style. Another great song is 'Homeward', an extremely optimistic tune with a nice leading soprano saxophone. 'Sung to Sleep' is sweet and full of heart, and the haunting, strange and extremely short 'Thunder Tactics Part II' adds mystery to the whole thing. Listen to the album and you'll have proven it's worth it. Michael's talent as a bassist, composer and and arranger is beyond limits, and this is which I consider so far his best album. A definite must for any instrumental music lover."
Track listing:
1. Welcoming
2. Huge Moon
3. Almost April
4. Unusual Weather
5.Sung To Sleep
6. Thunder Tactics
7. Longhair Mobile
8. Homeward
9. Not Even the Summer
10. Sightings
11. Thunder Tactics Reprise
12. Manthing
To purchase the album, click here:
http://www.amazon.com/Unusual-Weather-Michael-Manring/dp/B000000NGF
Click to listen to "Welcoming":
The rest of the album is beautiful as well, but hey I'm sure you think differently about the album. Let me know your opinions in the comment section below. Or if you love this song, be sure to listen to the full album here via playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB2697EA67646C11C
Reviews:
5.0 out of 5 stars
WAY ABOVE OTHERS IN THE GENRE
Posted on: April 12, 2004
By: Crabby Apple Mick Lee
Format: CD
"I have owned this CD (copy) for over fifteen years and it has to be one of the best New Age albums I have ever heard. Manring is a bassist whose talents push the other instrumentalists to reach for excellence the way Jack Bruce used to do in his Cream days. This CD is always interesting and well played. There is nary a bass solo as such which illustrates Manring's conception of the bass as an instrument that drives the music rather than an overlooked part of the ensemble. Don't expect any notions of "sword and magic" here common among many New Age artists. This is simply wonderful instrumentals presented with intelligence and taste."
4.0 out of 4 stars
Serene and Clever
Posted on: June 30, 2005
By: Javier Navas
Format: CD
"Apart from being the number one of virtuoso bassists in New Age style, this guy has the ability of creating nice atmospheres and textures, as you can tell in the first track, the delicious 'Welcoming' which for me remains as a highlight of the style. Another great song is 'Homeward', an extremely optimistic tune with a nice leading soprano saxophone. 'Sung to Sleep' is sweet and full of heart, and the haunting, strange and extremely short 'Thunder Tactics Part II' adds mystery to the whole thing. Listen to the album and you'll have proven it's worth it. Michael's talent as a bassist, composer and and arranger is beyond limits, and this is which I consider so far his best album. A definite must for any instrumental music lover."
Track listing:
1. Welcoming
2. Huge Moon
3. Almost April
4. Unusual Weather
5.Sung To Sleep
6. Thunder Tactics
7. Longhair Mobile
8. Homeward
9. Not Even the Summer
10. Sightings
11. Thunder Tactics Reprise
12. Manthing
To purchase the album, click here:
http://www.amazon.com/Unusual-Weather-Michael-Manring/dp/B000000NGF
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