The Best of Manfred Mann - The Definitive Collection

Manfred Mann | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 2, 1992)
• Original Release Date: June 2, 1992
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Capitol
• ASIN: B000002UXL
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #192,312 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Do Wah Diddy Diddy [Single Version]

2. Why Should We Not [Version 1]

3. Cock-A-Hoop

4. Now You're Needing Me

5. 5-4-3-2-1, Pts. 1 & 2

6. Hubble Bubble (Toil and Trouble)

7. I'm Your Kingpin

8. Do Wah Diddy Diddy [Unedited Version]

9. Sha La La

10. Come Tomorrow

11. She

12. Dashing Away With the Smoothing Iron

13. Oh No, Not My Baby

14. My Little Red Book

15. The One in the Middle

16. I Can't Believe What You Say

17. If You Gotta Go, Go Now

18. There's No Living Without Your Loving

19. Tired of Trying, Bored With Lying, Scared of Dying

20. She Needs Company [Single Version]

See all 26 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Definitive Collection? (Up to a Point), February 4, 2000

By 

Steve Vrana (Aurora, NE) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Best of Manfred Mann - The Definitive Collection (Audio CD)

Despite the album's title, this is not a definitive collection. The latest song included is the July 1966 single "You Gave Me Somebody to Love" (UK No. 36, previously unreleased in the US), even though the band continued to record under the Manfred Mann name until the end of 1968. So you don't get the top 10 US hit "Mighty Quinn" or the top 10 UK hits "Ha! Ha! Said the Clown," "My Name Is Jack" or "Fox on the Run." [This set also does not include anything by Manfred Mann Chapter Three or Manfred Mann's Earth Band.]

What you do get are the classic "Do Wah Diddy Diddy" (a No. 1 on both sides of the Atlantic) and their two other US hits: a revival of the Shirelles' "Sha La La" and "Pretty Flamingo." [Note: Jack Bruce was playing bass in the band at the time of "Flamingo."]

The album clearly demonstrates the band's struggle for a musical identity. Mannfred Mann was originally an aspiring jazz player and the band would waiver between playing pop music (which put the band on the charts) and R&B and blues-oriented music (which Mann found more musically satisfying). Many of these tracks (2-6, 8, 24-25), were previously unreleased in the US, including the unedited verion of "Do Wah Diddy Diddy," which features a brief organ break. It also includes the original version of the Bacharach-David "Little Red Book" from the movie What's New Pussycat? In addition there is a terrific version of Dylan's "If You Gotta Go, Go Now," which hit No. 2 in the UK. And the band could rock when they wanted to. Need proof? Listen to "Tired of Trying, Bored with Lying, Scared of Dying." Throughout, this collection features the strong vocals (and harmonica) of Paul Jones, who left the band in July of 1966 where this set ends.

Until the definitive box set comes out, this CD covers the early-period Mannfred Mann thoroughly. If all you know about Manfred Mann is "Do Wah Diddy Diddy," this album will be an eye-opener. RECOMMENDED

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Great Manfred Mann!, May 19, 2006

By 

E. Joy "music fanatic" (Texas, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Best of Manfred Mann - The Definitive Collection (Audio CD)

Manfred Mann were one of the best but least know of the bands of the British Invasion. Their hits "Do Wah Diddy Diddy", "Sha La La", and "Pretty Flamingo" are here along with other great songs Like "Come Tomorrow" and "I'm Your Kingpin". The major problem with the band was that they couldn't decide if they were a jazz/blues band or a pop band. They performed each genre at an extremely high level and their albums were a mixture of both. To some of the people buying their records at the time, this was not a problem, but for the majority it was. Buy this for all the great music and make your own conclusion.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great collection!!! All the early Ascot hits are here!!!, September 3, 2006

By 

Jason P. Pumphrey "the movie & music man" (Falls Church, Virginia United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Best of Manfred Mann - The Definitive Collection (Audio CD)

A great collection of Manfred Mann's early hits,Do Wah Diddy Diddy,Sha La La,Come Tommorrow,Pretty Flamingo,there all here and many more!!! A five star collection!!! Great remastered sound too!!! Two thumbs up!!! A+