Drastic Measures (1991, Windham Hill)

Today I will be posting information about Michael Manring's third album, Drastic Measures from 1991.

Like his second album, this one is a soft jazz album with some ear candy tunes and similar use of bass guitar and soprano sax. My personal favorite tracks are "Hopeful" (not to be confused with the song "Hopeful" he composed/recorded for a Christmas album) and "Wide Asleep". These are the two that stand out for me. "Hopeful" is the type of song that makes you feel sad and lonely, but at the same time, assures you that things will be okay. It's like a comforting friend. "Wide Asleep", on the other hand, is a musical sunrise or sunset. It's enough to check out the rest of the album.

Check out "Wide Asleep" and come up with your own opinions. ;)

Here are the reviews from Amazon.com:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mostly Magic April 25, 2004

By Marc Ruby™ 

Format:Audio CD

"This album is an interesting combination of Michael Manring's own compositions and some interesting covers (Sting - Spirits in the Material World, Jimi Hendrix - Purple Haze, and Chick Corea - 500 Miles High). Almost everything is 'Soft Jazz.' Sometimes a bit too soft - sometimes the album slips away from you and suddenly it's several cuts later.

Still, it is very much the sort of thing I like. Peaceful, for the most part, with some very interesting displays of technique (see Purple Haze). Keep in mind when you are listening that there are not other guitars other than the basses. Paul McCandless does a superb job on several solos, especially his oboe on Oyasumi Nasai and the sax solo on Deja Voodoo.

Manring allows his bass playing to take a larger part than he does on many of his albums, but keeps it from dominating the music, which makes for a good balance. I find that the more you listen to the album, the more you find in it, and the more you like it."

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Bass Album October 24, 2003

By "bebster2"

Format:Audio CD

"This has got to be one of my most favorite albums. In the early 90's i actually bought 2 cassette copies of it, one I wanted to preserve and the the other i played till the player bled.

Michael Manring, is one of players who are able to mesh in awesome technique with out compromising the soul of a song, this album speaks to your emotion yet will baffle you with how much technical skill is used."

Here is the track listing:

1. Spirits in the Materia Word

2. Hopeful

3. Red Right Returning

4. Gizumo

5. Oyasumi Nasai

6. Purple Haze

7. Deja Voodoo

8. Watson & Crick

9. Wide Asleep

10. 500 Miles High

11. When We Last Spoke

If you wish to hear the rest of the album, click here for the playlist:

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLACF0FD847401F0EF

To order the album, click here:

http://www.amazon.com/Drastic-Measures-Michael-Manring/dp/B000008I3A

Until next week!