Manfred Mann
As Is
Rare & Collectible Vinyl Records

1966 UK Black & Silver Label Mono Original Housed In A Laminated Flip-Back Cover. (There Is An Even Earlier Version With A Withdrawn Cover Where The Group Is Standing In Front Of A Great Western Railways Steam Locomotive). The LP Has Just One Spindle Mark On Each Label. The Jacket Shows Light Signs Of Wear. “Released In October 1966, As Is Continued The Pop Sensibilities Of Their Previous Album, Mann Made, With The Group Firmly Removed From Its Original R&B Roots. In Addition To "Just Like A Woman," Highlights Included A Humorous Tribute To A Hangover Entitled "Morning After The Party" And A Slick Vibes Led Rendition Of The Jazz Standard "Autumn Leaves." Like Many Mid Sixties Albums, As Is Seems To Be A Collection Of Songs, Rather Than A Complete Entity Like Pet Sounds Or Sgt. Pepper. In This Instance Some Of The Material Does Appear To Be Filler, Such As The Banal "Box Office Draw" And The Chaotic "Another Kind Of Music." The General Feel Of The Album Shows A Band Searching For A Direction And Does Not Seem As Focused Or Disciplined As The Jones-Led R&B Material. Nevertheless There Is Some Excellent Playing, Particularly From Drummer Mike Hugg And Manfred Mann Himself, Whose Jazz Influenced Style Helped Add A High Brow Dimension To The Group.” Rob Flanagan, AMG.