As far as anniversary editions of classic albums go, MANFRED MANN’S EARTH BAND haven’t really treat their fans to a lot of substantial surprises, which is why the upcoming reissue of the British ensemble’s 1976 gem “The Roaring Silence” should seem so special. Out on September 11th as a two-disc set, available in both CD and vinyl variants, it doesn’t only delve into the group’s glorious past with three tracks recorded back in the day and four preserved for posterity in 2025 – not necessarily focusing on the platter these tracks are expanding – but also adds three freshly minted pieces to the combo’s catalogue.
Given the last time new material from the ensemble’s camp emerged in 2004, with “2006” credited to both Manfred Mann and MMEB, the appearance of these cuts is hard to overestimate, even though one of those is a comp of solos – marked “Part 1” to mean there will be more – and one a cover of Leonard Cohen’s perennial, covers being the group’s forte from the beginning. A pity there’s no box set to take it all further.
The Roaring Silence:
50th Anniversary Edition
CD 1 – Original Album:
1. Blinded By The Light
2. Singing The Dolphin Through
3. Waiter, There’s A Yawn In My Ear
4. The Road To Babylon
5. This Side Of Paradise
6. Starbird
7. Questions
CD 2 – 50th Anniversary Bonus Album
New Tracks:
1. Bird On The Wire
2. Stronger Than Me
3. Solos Compilation Part 1
Live 2025:
4. Captain Bobby Stout
5. Davy’s On The Road Again
6. Martha’s Madman
7. Blinded By The Light
Live 70s:
8. Captain Bobby Stout
9. The Mighty Quinn
10. Time Is Right
