The Book of Flame (1998, Alchemy Records)

The time has come for me to jump to 1998 as we explore Manring's next solo album, The Book of Flame, from. As for last week's post, it didn't contain much information due to the fact the internet gave me a very difficult time doing research on it.

My brief descriptions of the tracks: 

After listening to clips from the album via Amazon.com, I can tell you, briefly what I personally think of all 11 tracks. This is a new feature so expect to see this in future posts as well. For starters, I thought Track 1 was beautiful and acoustic, though dark. Track 2 sounded like an experimental jazzy track and Track 3 was very trippy, with a touch of jungle. Track 4 had massive bass, Track 5 was funky and full of bass, and Track 6 was ear candy bass, catchy, though tripped out. Track 7 was eerie, but groovy, Track 8 was very progressive, and Track 9 was a lot like Track 7, expect it also had a bit of an experimental sound to it. Finally, Track 10 is heavy rock with bass and Track 11 is nearly as deep and acoustic as Track 1. I wish I could explain these better but you'll have to listen for yourself.

On to the reviews:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly a Sensation like any other September 22, 2001

By R. the Music Buff

Format:Audio CD

"Michael Manring's musical ability is unique. The music he can summon from his custom made Zon Hyperbass is a sensation like no other. His fretless electric bass guitar with alternate tunings alone is something you don't hear very much; but his style of playing and the music he produces is amazing. He records 4 solo songs and has 7 accomponied songs. I personally like the solo songs better, but the accompanied are excellent ensemble work. I particularly liked his use of the E-bow (makes a sound like an orchestra bow would on a violin, viola, cello or contrabass (bass) on an electric bass guitar). One thing on this album that he does is classical songs on the bass guitar. It almost sounds like a blasphemous thing to do to beautiful pieces of music, but it is very beautiful when he does it (another artist that you cen hear do this is Stuart Hamm). Put this album on your Christmas wish list, because it is something you can't hear anywhere else!"

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth the wait December 16, 1998

By A Customer

Format:Audio CD

"1998 has welcomed the return of Mr. Manring, first with "Attention Defecit", an experimental release, again employing the gifted resources of Tim Alexander and Alex Skolnick, and finally with "The Book of Flame", perhaps the finest offering to date.

On "The Book of Flame", Michael reminds us to check the calendar, again innovating with the use of carefully phrased and composed sample loops, along with his trademark hyperbass lines and E-Bow tracks, providing inifinte sustain and incomparable bass textures. Several solo bass tracks test the limits of modern stereo equipment ("help me", said my subwoofer...!) and again show that even without multi-track production, the man is a gifted solo artist.

"The Book of Living and Dying" is another solo bass piece, offered as a tribute to his great friend, Michael Hedges, who was killed in a car accident in 1997. Those of us who were fortunate enough to catch some of the Michael Hedges shows with his "most preferred stage mate", Michael Manring, can understand the depth of feelings being expressed in this piece over the loss of such an amazing talent.

Anyone with a desire to explore alternative realms of musical consciousness in an age of wildly conflicting plastic influences should make "The Book of Flame" a permanent presence in their "existential playstack". I have not been able to stop listening to this CD since I ordered it, and I think many of you will have the same experience."

The Track Listings:

1. The Fire Sermon

2. Adult Content/Brief Nudity

3. The Book of Lies

4. La Sagrada Familia

5. Theseus in the Rains

6. No Wontons for Elvis

7. Your Ad Here

8. Ephemeris

9. The Adamski Photographs

10. Dromedary

11. The Book of Living and Dying

Link to the Amazon website to download the mp3s: 

http://www.amazon.com/The-Book-Flame-Michael-Manring/dp/B001BV4HD8