Manfred Mann Radio Days Vol.3

"Radio Days - The Paul Jones Era" is the first complete collection of existing BBC recordings made by the original Manfred Mann lineup with vocalist Paul Jones between 1964 and 1966. Available on two LPs on heavy duty vinyl or two CDs, it documents the band's string of hits from "Sha La La" to "Pretty Flamingo." The band join legendary BBC presenter Brian Matthew through the rapidly changing music styles and environment of the mid-'60s. The sessions also feature another legend, bassist Jack Bruce, who was previously with The Graham Bond Organisation and John Mayall's Bluesbreakers. After his stint with Manfred Mann, Bruce would go on to form Cream with Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker.

The second volume of Manfred Mann's BBC recordings, "Radio Days - The Mike d'Abo Era", covers the band's Fontana label hitmaking from 1966-1969. The band lineup on this release includes Manfred Mann (keyboards), Mike d'Abo (vocals/piano), Mike Hugg (drums/vibes/piano), Tom McGuinness (guitar), and Klaus Voormann (bass). Highly regarded BBC host Brian Matthew expertly follows the band's development through their increasingly complex pop confections while keeping their sense of humour intact. For such a rapidly changing music environment, Manfred Mann's BBC radio appearances with Brian Matthew and other influential hosts such as John Peel, David Symonds and Tony Brandon, would prove to be essential to the success of their singles.

"Radio Days & Rarities" is the third volume in the series of Manfred Mann BBC recordings highlighting the radio appearances of Manfred Mann Chapter Three and numerous film soundtrack recordings, commercial jingles and various studio rarities. When pop group Manfred Mann broke up while near the top of the UK charts, Manfred Mann and Mike Hugg were quietly assembling Manfred Mann Chapter Three - a free-form group aimed at the growing album market. In addition to Mann and Hugg, the core of Chapter Three included sax/flute player Bernie Living, bassist Steve York, and drummer Craig Collinge.

The fourth installment in Manfred Mann's "Radio Days" series covers the highly regarded first lineup of Manfred Mann's Earth Band: Manfred Mann (keyboards), Mick Rogers (guitar, vocals), Colin Pattenden (bass), and Chris Slade (drums). Volume 4 spans the early Earth Band material which put the band on the map as a live concert attraction, with every track on this release making it's official release debut. The band's earliest BBC appearance, when they were still called Manfred Mann, took place on 23 June 1971 when they recorded three tracks for Dave Lee Travis' programme: "Living Without You," "Big Betty," and "Mighty Quinn." The latter only exists as a fragment, but all three have been included on this release.

Bruce Springsteen once said he intended to make an album with words like Bob Dylan that sounded like Phil Spector where he sang like Roy Orbison, a nifty summary of many, but not all, of his artistic ambitions and a key to his appeal.