In One Era…

Description

In One Era… is a compilation album by the British singer and songwriter Geoff Mann, released on Cyclops in 1994, exclusively distributed by Pinnacle Records in the UK and by Griffin Music in North America. Featuring tracks from Geoff Mann’s album I May Sing Grace originally released in 1984 as well as tracks from his album Psalm Enchanted Evening originally released in 1985.

In One Era… CD Liner Notes

In 1990 Geoff had the idea to release a CD compilation of ‘I May Sing Grace’ and ‘Psalm Enchanted Evening’, his (vinyl only) solo albums from 1984 and 1985, with the new title of ‘In One Era…’, omitting a track off each album so it would fit on a single CD. The original albums, recorded on very low budgets, were Geoff’s second and third after leaving Twelfth Night. They formed a sort of musical training ground, developing his style of wobbly guitar, the desire to compose and a calling to express his Christian faith through music. A deal was struck but unfortunately the album never appeared, although one track, «For God’s Sake» did appear in May 1991 on a (ACM Journal) magazine sampler CD. Several months after Geoff’s death in 1993, a chance phone call to myself from Malcolm Parker, a long time Geoff Mann fan, led to him offering Jane Mann (Geoff’s widow) a new deal to release the album on his record label using Geoff’s ideas and specifications. Explaining the album title in a letter in 1990 Geoff wrote…

“In One Ear, a pun of course. I don’t know if you use the phrase ‘In one ear and out of the other’, it refers to a statement that no-one listens to!!”

I hope you enjoy listening to these songs as much as I have. And, as Geoff might say, “I wish you God’s peace”.

Andy Labrow. Administrator.
Somewhere Here.
The Official Geoff Mann Merchandise & Information Service.

Geoff had always wanted to package his two solo albums onto one CD and had even come up with the title, it’s sad that it never happened until after his death but it’s great to see that it has finally happened. The two albums in question are 1984’s ‘I May Sing Grace‘, originally on Food For Thought, and 1985’s ‘Psalm Enchanted Evening‘ originally released on Geoff’s own Wobbly Records. Not having the original vinyl any more I was dead chuffed to get hold of this, being a bit of a completist where Geoff Mann is concerned. Both albums show the immense creativity of a man who could conquer a miniscule recording budget and produce some superb prog rock. Keith Gould contributes some wickedly inventive bass to the ‘Grace’ album and both feature the famous ghastly green Gibon guitar of Dave Mortimer, who stayed with Geoff to later form The Bond. Geoff’s lyrics stretch from homelessness («Picadilly Square») to materialism («Green Paper Snow») to worship («Creation»). The live favourite «Dance» is here in it’s original form and the album closes with «Flowers» – 11 and a half minutes of prog heaven. The CD booklet contains photos of Geoff circa ’84-’85 as well as some of his own artwork. Sadly one track from each album had to be cut for the sake of time, but nevertheless this is well worth. [Andy Long, Cross Rhythms, August 1994]

CD tracklist:

I May Sing Grace, 1984
01. Piccadilly Square – 4:48
02. I Wouldn’t Lie To You – 4:44
03. Kingdom Come – 3:46
04. Afterwards – 5:33
05. For God’s Sake – 4:32
06. Green Paper Snow – 6:13
07. My Soul – 5:47
08. Slow One – 4:59
Psalm Enchanted Evening, 1985
09. Creation – 3:51
10. Dance – 6:26
11. Gethsemane – 4:15
12. Waves – 8:01
13. Flowers – 11:37

Note: I May Sing Grace and Psalm Enchanted Evening available at Bandcamp:
https://twelfthnightuk.bandcamp.com/album/i-may-sing-grace
https://twelfthnightuk.bandcamp.com/album/psalm-enchanted-evening
https://twelfthnightuk.bandcamp.com/album/in-one-era-grace-psalm