Spirit of Man [Import]

Bob Catley | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 21, 2006)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Frontiers Italy
• ASIN: B000CCW162
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #44,260 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist

Over the last 25 years Bob Catley has established a reputation as one of Britain's top vocalists with his work in MAGNUM and more recently as a solo artist. In 1998, Bob teamed up with TEN front man, and longstanding MAGNUM fan, Gary Hughes who wrote all the songs on his first three solo albums: "The Tower", "Legends" and "Middle Earth". These albums received not only critical but commercial successes. This reaction from the press summed up the exact aim of these releases perfectly.

After three albums together and so many other commitments on both sides it was decided that long time keyboard player, Paul Hodson, would write Bob’s fourth solo album. The style of Paul`s writing complemented the master’s voice and with an added edge of classic Dio-esque metal, "When Empires Burn" brought Bob’s music to a metal oriented audience as well as pleasing the existing fan base.

Another change has happened with this new album as Bob is now singing on songs especially written for him by his longtime collaborator Vince O`Regan and another two british songwriters Dave Thompson and Paul Uttley. Once again the music is harder edged compared to the MAGNUM sound and closer to late 70’s RAINBOW and DIO sound.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars 3.5 stars - Not his best, but not bad either, December 1, 2006

By 

Justin Gaines (Northern Virginia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Spirit of Man (Audio CD)

Spirit of Man is the fifth solo album from Magnum vocalist Bob Catley. To date, Catley's solo material has been heavier and more epic than what Magnum typically delivered, thanks in large part to the influence of the songwriters and producers Catley has chosen, including Ten alumni Gary Hughes and Paul Hodson. Spirit of Man is the first Catley solo album without anyone from Ten on board.

Spirit of Man finds Catley working closely with members of the UK band Lost Weekend, though little of that band's modern AOR sound comes across on this album. Between the songwriting and production, Spirit of Man is a much heavier and (for a melodic rock effort) grittier album than you expect from Catley and at times it just doesn't seem appropriate. Where Hughes and Hodson wrote material that fit Catley's voice like a glove, Thompson, Uttley, et al don't quite get what Catley is all about. Still, the album does have a few highlights. Songs like "Blinded By a Lie," "Last Snows of Winter," "Lost to the Night," and "End of the Story" are pretty terrific, and most of Spirit of Man is quite solid. Of course, after the previous four fantastic solo albums from Catley, "solid" doesn't quite satisfy. It would be interesting to hear the album reworked by someone like Gary Hughes or Dennis Ward.

Even though it grows on you each time you hear it, I have to say that Spirit of Man is Bob Catley's least impressive solo release. Of course "least impressive" for Bob Catley is still worlds better than most other artists' best efforts. If you're a Magnum fan, or just enjoy melodic rock, you definitely need to check out Catley's solo albums, but I'd start with either The Tower or Immortal (flip a coin) and save Spirit of Man for last.