Product Description
Magnum's legendary singer, Bob Catley, and his trilogy with Gary Hughes of TEN are being reissued in a new paper sleeve! Following 'Tower' (1998) and 'Legends' (1999), his 3rd solo album is being reissued in a paper sleeve with beautiful artwork by Rodney Matthews and includes bonus tracks! This album, like the previous two, is a masterpiece featuring Gary's songwriting and production, and Vinnie Burns' (g) guitar playing! Following the death of their cornerstone Tony Clarkin in 2024, MAGNUM announced their disbandment, and in January of this year, Bob Catley, the voice of MAGNUM, held a UK tour to pay tribute to Tony. His 2001 album 'Middle Earth', released in collaboration with Gary Hughes of TEN, is being reissued with bonus live tracks and beautiful new artwork by Rodney Matthews! Like the previous two albums, this one is also written and produced by Gary Hughes of TEN, who also participates as a player (keyboards & backing vocals). Continuing from the previous album, you can enjoy the melancholic and superb guitar playing of Vinnie Burns of TEN, as well as the playing of Steve McKenna and John Cookey, who also participated in the previous album. The album is a full-fledged concept album themed around J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings," and Gary Hughes' emotionally rich lyrics are particularly noteworthy. And once again, Bob's truly compelling and superb vocals perfectly recreate the album's world! The bonus tracks are the same as the previous release: "Deep Winter" and "Fire And Ice" from the official bootleg "Live At Gods," plus "Far Away" and "The Tower" (exclusive to the Japanese edition), for a total of four tracks. This completes the "Live At The Gods" live performance at Maximes Club in Wigan on November 15, 1998, when combined with the bonus tracks from the two previously released albums. This is a valuable live recording where you can enjoy the passionate performance of that time. With beautiful artwork by Rodney Matthews, this is an overwhelming masterpiece that marks the end of the collaboration with Gary! Liner notes/lyrics and translation included Commentary: Toshio Kuroda 1. The Wraith of the Rings 7:04 (i) The Fields That I Recall (ii) Emissary 2. (iii) The Fields That I Recall (Reprise) 8:02 3. City Walls 6:11 4. Against the Wind 5:14 5. (i) Where You Lead I?fll Follow (ii) Stormcrow and Pilgrim (iii) Where You Lead I?fll Follow (Reprise) 8:47 6. Return of the Mountain King 6:40 Return of the Mountain King 7. The End of Summer (Galadriel?fs Theme) 5:51 The End of Summer (Galadriel?fs Theme) 8. This Gallant Band of Manic Strangers 3:46 This Gallant Band of Manic Strangers 9. The Fellowship 4:22 The Fellowship 10. Scream (Live at the Gods)* 7:04 Scream (Live at the Gods) 11. Deep Winter (Live at the Gods)* 5:13 Deep Winter (Live at the Gods) 12. Fire and Ice (Live at the Gods)* 4:54 Fire and Ice (Live at the Gods) 13. The Tower (Live at the Gods)* 6:21 The Tower (Live at the Gods) * Bonus Track ** Bonus Track for Japan All songs written by Gary Hughes Musicians: Bob Catley vocals Gary Hughes vocals, keyboards Vinny Burns guitars Steve McKenna ? bass John Cooksey ? drums Additional Musicians Tracey Hitchings ? vocals (on ?gAgainst the Wind?h) Production Produced by Gary Hughes Mixing by Audu Obaje Engineered by Audu Obaje, Kirk Podmore, Vinny Burns and Gary Hughes
