MAGNUM – Dance Of The Black Tattoo (2021)
MAGNUM‘s new CD ”Dance Of The Black Tattoo” consists of 14 rare studio recordings, radio versions and live cuts. It’s been three years since Magnum brought out The Valley Of Tears / The Ballads, a compilation that focused on the British rock act quiet, more otherworldly and dreamy side. Three years during which the idea matured to follow this successful release with a companion piece.
”Dance Of The Black Tattoo” has turned into exactly that: a collection of songs that present Magnum exclusively as tough-as-nails rocking and extremely vibrant musicians.
What makes this album so special is the fact that Magnum have gone through their impressive archive, looking for rare live cuts and outstanding radio versions and have come up with spirited live recordings and edits that concentrate on the essential components of some of their most accomplished rock numbers.
Naturally, guitarist and band mastermind Tony Clarkin has used this opportunity to remaster and update all 14 tracks so that they comply with the state-of-the-art of sound technology.
‘On A Storyteller’s Night’, the title track of their 1985 masterpiece, and ‘Dance Of The Black Tattoo’ are another two rare live tracks from the bonus section of Escape From The Shadow Garden, followed by radio edits of their seasonal anti-war number ‘On Christmas Day’ and the fan favourite ‘Born To Be King’ off their classic Goodnight L.A., previously only available on vinyl or for digital download, followed by ‘Phantom Of Paradise Circus’ and ‘No God Or Saviour’, both bonus tracks from Sacred Blood Divine Lies.
‘Your Dreams Won’t Die’ and ‘Twelve Men Wise And Just’ are two live bonus tracks which first featured on Lost On The Road To Eternity, before ‘Show Me Your Hands’, ‘Not Forgiven’ and ‘Madman Or Messiah’ three previously unreleased radio edits from the still topical studio recordings Lost On The Road To Eternity (2018) and The Serpent Rings (2020) round off the new release.
Highly Recommended
01. Black Skies (Live)
02. Freedom Day (Live)
03. All My Bridges (Live)
04. On A Storyteller’s Night (Live)
05. Dance Of The Black Tattoo (Live)
06. On Christmas Day (Radio Edit)
07. Born To Be King
08. Phantom Of Paradise Circus
09. No God Or Saviour
10. Your Dreams Won’t Die (Live)
11. Twelve Men Wise And Just (Live)
12. Show Me Your Hands (Radio Edit)
13. Not Forgiven (Radio Edit)
14. Madman or Messiah (Radio Edit)
Bob Catley – vocals
Tony Clarkin – lead guitar, vocals
Rick Benton – keyboards
Lee Morris – drums
Dennis Ward – bass guitar, backing vocals
Pre Order:
www.amazon.co.uk/Dance-Black-Tattoo-Magnum/dp/B08L5NW1G8
