ANSER'S TREE

I agree with most reviewers here. This is surely a grower. It won´t grab you at first, but after repeated spins you´ll find an excellent concept work that holds probably Guy Manning´s most ambicious prog work ever. Every track is a mini epic on its own and should be judge separately, such are the many shifts and turns the music goes throughout each tune. I thought initially Anser´s tree would be a kind of folk oriented album since much of the songs deal with people from the past, but that´s not really the case. Sure, there is lots of folkish stuff here but there also jazz, rock and symphonic prog influenced parts all over the place. It´s hard to pigeonhole Manning´s music on Anser´s Tree and that´s something good.: it´s Manning´s own music. It sounds like nothing else, like it or not.

To fully appreciate this strong efford you should read carefully the booklet´s notes and lyrics. They will lead you through the story and clarifies the whole plot. As it is usual in Manning´s CDs, production, arrangements, cover art, etc, are expertly done. Of course some songs are better than the others, but there are no fillers. Highlights? I´d pick up Jack Roberts, a brilliant song with great keyboars, flute and sax solos, while progheads probably will favor the complex, 14+ minute William Barras. But that´s just a personal choice. All tracks are very elaborated and they all have their merits.

Conclusion: Manning´s boldest and most progressive work I´ve heard so far. This a labor of love and again no small detail seemed to be overlooked. Very well craft. Anser´s Tree is an excellent addtion to any prog rock music collection. Highly recommended.