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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
WHAT AN ALBUM!!, September 23, 2003
When the history of British Rock is written, it will be seen as criminal if this album (and indeed "Vigilante" and "Wings of Heaven" that followed it) is excluded from such a list. Magnum have always had the ability to evoke powerful images and emotions through the joint efforts of the band's superb musicianship, Tony Clarkin's exquisite lyrics and Bob Catley's heartfelt singing. He is seen more as a storyteller than a straight vocalist, as his voice perfectly captures the mood and emotion that each song asks of him. Epic songs "How Far Jerusalem?", On A Storyteller's Night" and the excellent "Les Morts Dansant" sit alongside pop-rock number such as "Two Hearts", "Just Like An Arrow" and the under-rated "Steal Your Heart". Coupled with the gorgeous piano-ballad "The Last Dance", this is an album who's delights are savoured time and time again with each new playing. Also, the album cover by Rodney Matthews is superb too.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Magnum's Best, August 15, 2005
The single from this album - "Just Like An Arrow" - brought me into Magnum's world. And what a world ! Storytellers is a fantastic album, both the sound and Rodney Matthews' artwork. More complete than perhaps any other that they've recorded though I would rate "Sleepwalking" and "Rock Art" as both at least 4 stars... Bob Catley's voice and Tony Clarkin's words create an incredible imagery in your mind - I challenge anyone to listen to "Les Morts Dansants" and not picture the soldier shot by his comrades - "paper square to his heart pinned tight..." I've been lucky enough to have seen them live at their peak - once at Birmingham Odeon and a couple of times at Birmingham NEC. For a band that was so relatively unsuccessful in sales terms to fill a venue like the NEC was amazing. They're still around, having reformed 3 or so years ago, releasing albums and touring. Go and see them if you get the chance...
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
THIS is Magnum, November 12, 2007
As much as I love Magnum's 1983 album The Eleventh Hour, their 1985 follow up On a Storyteller's Night is even better. It is, in fact, their strongest overall album and the one release that best represents what the Magnum sound is all about. That sound, which is typically described as "pomp rock" has elements of Deep Purple and Rainbow to Uriah Heep and Genesis, as well as arena rock bands like Styx, Boston, and REO Speedwagon. Magnum's music is dramatic and bombastic, and highly melodic as well.
On a Storyteller's Night is not only a perfect example of Magnum's sound, it's also an example of what was possible in an era when the lines between rock, metal, and AOR weren't as defined as they are today. The album is heavy to the point of metallic at times, shifting abruptly to melancholy ballads and then to a keyboard-driven arena rock anthem and back again.
I'd recommend this album to just about anyone who enjoys classic rock. Magnum is a tragically overlooked band, and once you hear them, you're hooked. On a Storyteller's Night is a great album to start with, as it really represents what Magnum was all about. There really isn't a weak moment on the entire album, but songs like Les Morts Dansant, All England's Eyes, the title track and especially Just Like an Arrow are among the band's absolute best material.
NOTE: Castle/Sanctuary reissued On a Storyteller's Night in 1999 and gave it a much needed digital remastering as well as adding a 25-minute audio interview with Tony Clarkin and Bob Catley.
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