Manfred Mann — The Best of Manfred Mann

Sometime after I acquired that previous Manfred Mann record, I got this more modern release, a “best of” collection that was released in 1977. Looking at its condition, I may have even bought it new, and as an import at that. But I don’t think I ever gave it even as many listens as that previous record. Which is a shame, because it’s pretty good, and very much in my British blues wheelhouse. It also has a capable cover of “Oh No, Not My Baby” and a dirge of a version of Dylan’s “With God On Our Side.” Only three of the 16 songs overlap with “The Manfred Mann Album.”

I have no memory of buying this album, and not much more memory of playing it. It’s pristine, and if I bought it new I probably bought it at Record Theater on Marshall Street in Syracuse (the most likely place to have an import of a budget label release like this). But it never saw a lot of plays, and as I said last time, that may have been a bit of a disservice to Manfred Mann because I like this just fine. When I’m in the mood, I’m always gonna go to Small Faces or The Yardbirds before I get to this, but this is also great.

The cover is the same base photo as the original release of “The Five Faces of Manfred Mann,” their UK debut, in case that causes any confusion.