Author: Peter Podbrežnik
Artist: Magnum
Label: 57 Records
Release: 1993
Length: 48:38
Rating: 4/5
In 1993, British melodic rock greats Magnum parted ways with manager Keith Baker, the man who helped take the legendary band from smoky local pubs to sold-out arenas, and ‘took matters into their own hands.’ The new manager turned out to be keyboardist Mark Stanway himself, which gave the band complete control over the creative process and total artistic freedom. The start of this new era is marked by »Keeping the Nite Light Burning«, their tenth studio album, featuring twelve Magnum classics dressed up in acoustic shirts and reworked for cello and a horn section, courtesy of guest ensemble The Red Lemon Horns. Guitarist, lyricist, producer and main songwriter Tony Clarkin reportedly found the inspiration for the move in the then-popular TV show MTV Unplugged, which showed popular acts playing all kinds of acoustic instruments.
On »Keeping the Nite Light Burning«, Magnum picked a set of longtime favorites from their most successful period, rearranged them and beefed them up with an orchestral section, which gave these evergreens a dose of jazz, funk, blues, soul, reggae and a cappella/choral flavors. Most of the Magnum classics come out sounding incredibly interesting in their new guise, starting with the orchestral opening version of »The Prize«, which, with its rustic cello-led arrangements, comes across as even more mystical than the original. Tony’s acoustic guitar chords are every bit as convincing as if he had an electric in his hands, while Bob Catley, backed by vocal harmonies at the mic, feels right at home with acoustic accompaniment too. The bluesy take on »Heartbroke And Busted«, with a jazzy touch on the keys, is no less intriguing, while the jazz approach on »Foolish Heart« is unexpectedly fun and makes it seem like this Magnum standard was always meant for the sax.
The soul version of the gorgeous power ballad »Lonely Night« highlights the strikingly contemplative power of Bob’s voice, while the acoustic duo of piano and guitar convincingly serves up infectious melancholy. Thanks to its tasteful piano arrangements and teasing backing vocals, »Start Talking Love« in acoustic form may be an even more sensual achievement than the original. The a cappella version of »Only A Memory«, with its dramatic choral harmonies, sounds almost sacred with a hint of mysticism, which will instantly remind some listeners of certain unforgettable experiments by the legendary Queen.
The reggae version of »Need A Lot Of Love« is especially fun. This melodramatic, pacifist evergreen, helped along by string arrangements up front, gets a completely new rhythmic ambience that brings on the uplifting, all-in-this-together vibe of a campfire singalong. It’s no surprise that the tender love ballad »Maybe Tonight« sounds convincing in acoustic form too, while a far bigger experiment is the excellent soul-funk take on »One Night Of Passion«, which features a string of fun ‘bar room’ arrangements on piano and acoustic guitar. »Without Your Love« has extended its traditional aura of mystery with mystically tinted acoustic embellishments, while the uplifting »Shoot«, stripped of the original’s orchestral arrangements and with the acoustic guitar front and center, has turned into a much more intimate creation. One of the biggest experiments is certainly »Soldier Of The Line«, which has morphed from a punchy NWOBHM standard into a majestic power ballad with delicate piano arrangements, while the main guitar riff sounds just as determined as in the electric version. It’s also the only moment on the album where Mickey Barker really lets loose on the drums. Fitting, somehow, that this set of acoustic-clad Magnum classics closes with the evergreen that marked the start of their rise to the top.
»Keeping the Nite Light Burning« was an interesting acoustic experiment that tested how far a handful of Magnum classics could stretch sonically, and a fine tribute to their golden era between 1982 and 1992, when they reached for the stars both artistically and commercially. All those Magnum fans who are open-minded about trying out different musical directions, and there are surely quite a few of them, will still enjoy this successful album of interesting acoustic reworkings today, courtesy of their legendary favorites, one of the key rock bands of the eighties, who still inspire with solid, if not outstanding, studio albums.
Line-up
Bob Catley – vocals
Tony Clarkin – guitar
Wally Lowe – bass
Mark Stanway – keyboards
Mickey Barker – drums
GUEST MUSICIANS:
Paul Roberts – trombone
Bob Poutney – trumpet
Rob Hughes – saxophone
Gill Stevenson – cello
Production
Tony Clarkin
Track list
1. The Prize
2. Heartbroke And Busted
3. Foolish Heart
4. Lonely Night
5. Start Talking Love
6. Only A Memory
7. Need A Lot Of Love
8. Maybe Tonight
9. One Night Of Passion
10. Without Your Love
11. Shoot
12. Soldier Of The Line
