Be Good To Yourself At Least Once A Day : MAN

Man were never a band to conquer the world. Hailing from Wales but with a San Francisco sound and with an ever-changing line-up, they failed to produce the one proverbial hit to propel them to national consciousness and, reputedly ever stoned, they were never going to get further than the 'B' list. Yet "Be Good To Yourself At Least Once A Day" recorded in 1972 remains a marvellous album that has worn its years remarkably well, whilst avoiding some of the excesses and indulgences of the time.

By 1972 British rock music was at something of a crossroads. It was the year the Stones released "Exile On Main Street", Bowie put out "Ziggy Stardust" and Roxy Music's first album emerged, the latter two heralding the glamour years. It was also the year that Yes and Emerson Lake and Palmer had some of their biggest hits and Hawkwind discovered that they had a "Silver Machine".

Man skilfully trod a middle way, probably without thinking about it. They were one of the few bands next to the Allman Brothers to be able to sustain an extended jam in an intelligent yet spunky way. On "Be Good To Yourself" their pieces, although often based round simple little riffs, featuring the interlocking guitars of Micky Jones and Clive John, are full of inventive musical touches (often thanks to keyboards player Phil Ryan).

The rhythm section with drummer Terry Williams, who went on to work with Dire Straits and many others, is 100% rock solid and above this foundation they periodically create floating textures akin to Pink Floyd. What makes the four tracks on this album so satisfying is the organic way they develop, always rocking, but always just that little something round the corner

C'Mon

Keep On Crinting

 

Bananas

 

Life On The Road