As Is (album)

As Is
Studio album by Manfred Mann
Released	October 1966
Recorded	1966
Genre	Rhythm and blues, psychedelic pop
Length	31:36
Label	Fontana
Producer	Shel Talmy
Manfred Mann chronology
Mann Made (1965) As Is (1966) Soul of Mann (1967)

As Is is a 1966 pop music album by Manfred Mann. It was their fourth overall (including a "greatest hits" package) but their first for Fontana Records and their first to feature new members Mike d'Abo and Klaus Voormann. It was produced by Shel Talmy and released in the U.K. on 21 October 1966 (STL5377).

Overview

The twelve tracks on the record include the line-up's first single release, a cut-down version of Bob Dylan's "Just Like a Woman" that reached the UK top ten, and a short cool jazz version of "Autumn Leaves", reminiscent of the Modern Jazz Quartet with Mike Hugg's vibraphone and double bass from the group's former bassist Dave Richmond, sounding like an out-take from the group's instrumental releases: these two make weight for a fairly short collection of group compositions. As d'Abo's presence somehow sparked Mike Hugg into producing baroque pop miniatures both contribute three songs: d'Abo's "Box Office Draw" and "Trouble and Tea" are well-crafted pop, while "As Long as I Have Lovin'" is a generic soul ballad. Hugg's "Morning After the Party", also released as a "B" side and on the compilation album What a Mann, recalls the rowdy rhythm and blues of the group's past while two of his three collaborations with Mann suggest something of the direction they would later take with Manfred Mann Chapter Three. Guitarist Tom McGuinness provides a range of textures including his trademark National Steel Guitar and contributes sleeve notes and a gentle folk-ballad. The group continued to exploit studio multitracking: keyboardist Mann layering Mellotrons, bassist Voormann taking over from Mike Vickers on flutes. ^[1][2][3]

Track listing

Side one

1. "Trouble and Tea" (D'Abo) 2:12
2. "A Now and Then Thing" (McGuinness) 2:44
3. "Each Other's Company" (Hugg) 2:56
4. "Box Office Draw" (D'Abo) 2:13
5. "Dealer, Dealer" (Hugg, Mann, Peter Thomas) 3:17
6. "Morning After the Party" (Hugg) 2:34

Side two

1. "Another Kind of Music" (Hugg, Mann) 2:32
2. "As Long as I Have Lovin'" (D'Abo) 2:44
3. "Autumn Leaves" (Joseph Kosma, Johnny Mercer) 1:56
4. "Superstitious Guy" (Hugg) 2:46
5. "You're My Girl" (Hugg, Mann, Thomas) 2:48
6. "Just Like a Woman" (Bob Dylan) 2:54

Personnel

• Manfred Mann – keyboards
• Michael D'Abo — vocals, piano
• Tom McGuinness — guitar
• Klaus Voormann — bass, guitar, recorder, cover
• Dave Richmond — double bass
• Mike Hugg — drums, vibraphone

References