Magnum - On A Storyteller’s Night

 

Details :

• Year of release : 1985
• Label : FM WKFM LP34
• Review format : vinyl

With the reviews of the forthcoming Magnum opus Princess Alice & The Broken Arrow beginning to appear, and many stating it to be their best work since Storyteller’s Night I thought I’d go back and take a look at this, their best loved album.

By 1985 Magnum had been around for about 10 years and had released 4 previous studio albums which, although 3 charted in the UK, had failed to promote Magnum into the domain of the countries major acts. Their early progressive rock leanings were evolving however and although always too lightweight to get carried along on the nwobhm bandwagon they had built a decent following on the back of their well-crafted releases. 1985 saw them hit their peak and embark on a 3 album run of success that would see them complete the 80s as a top 10 album act in the UK and front runners of the melodic rock scene. Storyteller’s Night was the first release of this trio and itself reached number 24.

How Far Jerusalem sets the scene with poignant, haunting lyrics which are ultimately softened somewhat by a sing-a-long chorus which has become a favoured air-puncher in the live set. The pop-rock of Just Like An Arrow follows with some lovely keyboard washes perfectly complementing the sharp guitar sound and beautifully melodic vocal delivery courtesy of the under-rated Bob Catley. Title track On A Storyteller’s Night is a prime cut of melodic rock. Atmospheric introduction giving way to an evocative set of versus charting stormlamps, dragons and firecrackers with almost Tolkien feeling, building to a singalong anthem of a chorus. A brilliant melding of progressive rock lyric and AOR sound further enhanced by the Rodney Matthews scene dipicted on the cover art.

“There’s a stormlamp on the table,
Throwing shadows to the gable,
And you swallow if you’re able
On a Storyteller’s Night”

Before First Light is full on pomp rock as almost as good as anything Asia produced on their first album, whilst side one closer Les Morts Dansant has another meaningful lyric revisiting the futility of war themes of previous albums (Soldier On The Line anyone?) to lasting effect as Catley turns in another heartfelt performance.

Side two curtain-raiser Endless Love features some razor edged guitar from Tony Clarkin with some great prog-rock keyboard as another strong track produces yet another memorable chorus. The sorrowful Two Hearts and keyboard heavy Steal Your Heart sit in similar territory with Clarkin’s guitar beautifully clear in the mix. Death in a foreign field is the subject matter for All England’s Eyes - yet another thought provoking Clarkin lyric. (As usual he writes everything on this album.) The keyboard solo from Mark Stanway is particularly impressive here though.

Finale, The Last Dance is perhaps surprisingly the only ballad on the album. Piano and voice to the fore with some excellent harmonies during the chorus as Bob Catley turns in a stellar performance to close an album that although features layers of keyboards is actually a little heavier than I remembered and reputation may have led the listener to expect.

Their is no questioning the quality of musicianship on show here and any fan of melodic ‘pomp’ rock ala Asia, Journey etc would get something from this album.

 

Summary : Rightfully lorded as a great example of UK pomp rock this album is beautifully polished, well played and clearly produced. Clarkin, Catley and Stanway all remain in the current line-up of Magnum and if the new album does indeed live up to its billing of the best since Storyteller’s Night then we’re in for a melodic treat!

If You Listen To One Track Listen To : On A Storyteller’s Night

Score : 4/5