It’s been a while since Magnum brought out The Valley Of Tears – The Ballads, “a compilation that focused on the British rock act’s quiet, more otherworldly and dreamy side.” 3 years later the idea is almost to reverse that and put together a second compilation (Yes sorry it is another compilation rather than new material) of the band’s most “tough-as-nails and rocking.“
What makes it special is that Magnum have gone through their archives to seek out the “rare live cuts and outstanding radio versions and have come up with spirited live recordings and edits that concentrate on the essential components of some of their most accomplished rock numbers.” (as the press release says).
The 14 tracks here are all remastered by Tony Clarkin and come from a variety of sources half of them live recordings which gives the not-unpleasant feel of a mix-tape. Kicking off with live versions of ‘Black Skies’ and ‘Freedom Day’ (previously available exclusively as DVD bonus tracks on ‘Escape From The Shadow Garden’) we get a shot of typical Magnum bombast before the poetic ‘All My Bridges’ kicks in. All of which of course show not only what a wonderful live proposition Magnum have continued to be over the years but also that Bob Catley’s voice is still as commanding as ever.
The only drawback I can see for fans (like myself) are that the next two tracks – the immortal ‘On A Storyteller’s Night’, and ‘Dance Of The Black Tattoo’ both again come from the same bonus section of ‘Escape From The Shadow Garden’ meaning the album starts with 5 of the 6 tracks from that bonus DVD (omitting only ‘Too Many Clowns’). If you own that release you’ll be asking the question are the remaining nine tracks worth the purchase?
The answer is yes, though I must admit compilations as a rule unless extensive often leave me wavering. A couple of nice radio edits follow ‘On Christmas Day’ the single that preceded this release is a different mix from the 2014 release I have a 10″ vinyl of and the fan favourite ‘Born To Be King’ which really should have been a single from the classic ‘Goodnight L.A.’ releases sits strangely as I always saw this epic a closer!
The also previously released ‘Phantom Of Paradise Circus’ and ‘No God Or Saviour’, – both bonus tracks from ‘Sacred Blood – Divine Lies’ follow, making it 7 tracks of the 14 I already have. ‘Your Dreams Won’t Die’ and ‘Twelve Men Wise And Just’ (both live) that follow make it 9 as they came as bonuses with ‘Lost On The Road To Eternity’. At this point you realise that you’re caught as a fan between a rock and a hard place – if ‘Dance of the Black Tattoo’ contained ALL of the bonus tracks you’d not really argue but the fact it adds only some of those additional recordings is a nightmare for a completist.
The cream comes with three previously unreleased radio edits from 2018’s ‘Lost On The Road To Eternity’ and Serpent Rings (2020) – in ‘Show Me Your Hands’, ‘Not Forgiven’ and ‘Madman Or Messiah’ which round out the release. If you’re new to the band this is a great introduction. If you’re a fan then you may feel a little flat with so much already released on here. If however you’re somewhere in the middle then it’s a worthy introduction to your collection. Magnum still Rocks!
7.5 / 10.00
Tracklisting: 01 Black Skies (live) 6:06 | 02 Freedom Day (live) 6:20 | 03 All My Bridges (live) 4:55 | 04 On A Storyteller’s Night (live) 5:09 | 05 Dance Of The Black Tattoo (live) 5:53 | 06 On Christmas Day (radio edit) 4:21 | 07 Born To Be King 5:31 | 08 Phantom Of Paradise Circus 5:88 | 09 No God Or Saviour 5:24 | 10 Your Dreams Won’t Die (live) 5:44 | 11 Twelve Men Wise And Just (live) 6:22 | 12 Show Me Your Hands (radio edit) 3:48 | 13 Not Forgiven (radio edit) 3:38 | 14 Madman or Messiah (radio edit) 3:41
Current Line-Up: Tony Clarkin – Guitar | Bob Catley – Vocals | Rick Benton – Keyboards | Dennis Ward – Bass | Lee Morris – Drums
LIVE 2021:
05.09. NL-Uden – De Pul
07.09. SE-Stockholm – Fryshuset Klubben
08.09. NO-Oslo – Vulkan
09.09. SE-Huskvarna – Folkets Park
10.09. SE-Gothenburg – Pustervik
11.09. SE.Karlstad – Nojesfabriken
13.09. SE-Malmö – Babel
16.09. UK-Nottingham – Rock City
17.09. UK-Sheffield – Leadmill
19.09. UK-Norwich – Waterfront
20.09. UK-Islington – Assembly Hall
21.09. UK-Southampton – Engine Rooms
22.09. UK-Cardiff – Tramshed
24.09. UK-Manchester – Academy 2
25.09. UK-Holmfirth – Picturedome
27.09. UK-Birmingham – Symphony Hall
29.09. UK-Cambridge – Junction
30.09. UK-Glasgow – Garage
02.10. IE-Dublin – Voodoo Lounge
03.10. UK-Belfast – Limelight 1
