On A Storyteller's Night
Encyclopedia
On a Storyteller's Night is the fifth studio album
by British
melodic rock band Magnum
, released in 1985 on FM Records. The album is widely considered as Magnum's breakthrough album. This album features one of the Tony Clarkin
's most thoughtful songs, "Les Morts Dansant" — a simple song in that paints a picture of a man being executed by a firing squad. It is the way in which the song accomplishes this, with some very colorful and imaginative metaphors. The song was covered in 1987 by American singer Patty Smyth
of the band Scandal
on her first solo album Never Enough, but because of its French title the song was retitled Call To Heaven.
Magnum had parted company with Jet Records
in 1983, and Mark Stanway
had departed to work with Phil Lynott
's Grand Slam, and Kex Gorin
had joined Robin George's band.
In 1984 Keith Baker took over management, and the band recruited Drummer Jim Simpson and keyboard player Eddie George. Following a six-week tour of the UK, Tony Clarkin
began writing new material.
Mark Stanway
would later return to the band, and the band recruited Kit Woolven, who has produced albums for Phil Lynott
, David Gilmour
and Thin Lizzy
. The album was recorded at DEP International Studios, then known as The Abattoir Studios, home of UB40
.
Upon its release in May 1985, On a Storyteller's Night reached #24 in the UK charts and launched the band across Europe and is also notable for the stunning cover by fantasy illustrator Rodney Matthews
. Two singles were released to promote the album, an alternate recording of "Just Like an Arrow" in March 1985 and "On a Storyteller's Night" in May 1985.
In 2005 Sanctuary Records
remastered and expanded the album for its 20th Anniversary, including a bonus disc of the albums demo material. The band also toured, performing all of the tracks in their entirety for the first time.
The 2005 expanded version of the album was reissued on 22 September 2006 in Japan with Mini LP/Paper Sleeve packaging through Arcangelo. The album was also included in a limited edition Japanese Box Set, comprising all six of Sanctuary Records Expanded and Remastered releases with Mini LP/Paper Sleeve packaging. The set included an outer box featuring Magnum
's Chase The Dragon
artwork.
.
"On a Storyteller's Night is also a favourite of mine and one of my best known images. Again it was largely designed by Tony Clarkin with his formidable biro!" — Rodney Matthews
"One of Matthews' best-loved pictures [is] 'On a Storyteller's Night,' which was used by Magnum as a sleeve. As surprising as the degree of lively detail is that it took only ten days to complete (with the help of some Midnight oil). The suggestion came from Tony Clarkin, Magnum's leader, writer and lyricist. The taverns interior is faintly reminiscent of The George in Norton St. Philip near Rodney's former home on Somerset. Background details include two previous Matthews'
covers for the band [Chase The Dragon
and The Eleventh Hour
], while Matthews
' own dog, Patch is under the table." — Nigel Suckling
"Some of the songs started life with different titles. 'Les Mort Dansant' had a working title of 'Cannon' and 'Steal Your Heart' was originally titled 'Come On Young Love'. 'The Last Dance' changed dramatically from the original recordings which is very obvious when you compare the demo version to the finished song and the demo to 'All England's Eyes' has a hideous solo on a melodica
as I didn't have my guitar at the studio that day and there was a melodica
lying around the studio, enough said!!
"The extra tracks are demos recorded in their most basic form and were the first stage the songs went through. We then played the live on stage before we ever recorded them properly which meant they changed from show to show and were suitable "road tested" before recording. The title track 'On A Storyteller's Night' was written on the road on a tour bus a month before we went into the studio to record the album.
"Finally in 1985 we went into Abattoir Studios in Birmingham to record On a Storyteller's Night." — Tony Clarkin
, February 2005
The promotional video for "Just Like An Arrow" featured a black jeep, starting in a bull-fighting ring and ending up reaching the band who were laying at the base of a cliff. In parallel, a caped and hooded rider in Arabic clothing remniscient of Scheherazade
on a horse rode on an apparent quest to reach to band, ultimately revealed to be a beautiful young woman. The true meaning of these parallel aspects of the video are utterly lost and the video has to qualify as one of the most baffling or pointless. The single and video also feature an "alternative take" on the track, with the guitar solo partially covered by added vocals.
Just Like an Arrow 12" (March 1985)
On a Storyteller's Night 7" (May 1985)
On a Storyteller's Night 12" (May 1985)
Additional Musicians
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by British
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
melodic rock band Magnum
Magnum (band)
Magnum are a British progressive rock band from Birmingham, England. Formed as a four piece by Tony Clarkin , Bob Catley , Kex Gorin and Bob Doyle in order to appear as the resident band at The Rum Runner night club Birmingham...
, released in 1985 on FM Records. The album is widely considered as Magnum's breakthrough album. This album features one of the Tony Clarkin
Tony Clarkin
Tony Clarkin is a British musician, best known as the guitarist of the rock band Magnum...
's most thoughtful songs, "Les Morts Dansant" — a simple song in that paints a picture of a man being executed by a firing squad. It is the way in which the song accomplishes this, with some very colorful and imaginative metaphors. The song was covered in 1987 by American singer Patty Smyth
Patty Smyth
Patty Smyth is an American rock and roll musician. She first enjoyed mainstream success in 1982 as lead singer of the band Scandal and later scored a solo #2 hit with her song "Sometimes Love Just Ain't Enough"...
of the band Scandal
Scandal
A scandal is a widely publicized allegation or set of allegations that damages the reputation of an institution, individual or creed...
on her first solo album Never Enough, but because of its French title the song was retitled Call To Heaven.
Magnum had parted company with Jet Records
Jet Records
Jet Records was a small British record label set up by Don Arden with artists like Electric Light Orchestra , Roy Wood, Gary Moore, Ozzy Osbourne, Riot and Magnum. The first release on the "Jet Records" label was "No Honestly", a UK top 10 for its singer and writer Lynsey De Paul in November 1974...
in 1983, and Mark Stanway
Mark Stanway
Mark Stanway is a keyboardist. He is famous for his work with British rock band Magnum, and also with Phil Lynott's Grand Slam. He also plays with M3 Classic Whitesnake, featuring ex-Whitesnake members Bernie Marsden, Neil Murray and Mick Moody....
had departed to work with Phil Lynott
Phil Lynott
Philip Parris "Phil" Lynott was an Irish musician who first came to prominence as a founding member, principal songwriter, and frontman of the Irish rock band Thin Lizzy....
's Grand Slam, and Kex Gorin
Kex Gorin
Kex Gorin , was a British drummer. He was the original drummer for Magnum and played on the bands first four studio albums and one live album...
had joined Robin George's band.
In 1984 Keith Baker took over management, and the band recruited Drummer Jim Simpson and keyboard player Eddie George. Following a six-week tour of the UK, Tony Clarkin
Tony Clarkin
Tony Clarkin is a British musician, best known as the guitarist of the rock band Magnum...
began writing new material.
Mark Stanway
Mark Stanway
Mark Stanway is a keyboardist. He is famous for his work with British rock band Magnum, and also with Phil Lynott's Grand Slam. He also plays with M3 Classic Whitesnake, featuring ex-Whitesnake members Bernie Marsden, Neil Murray and Mick Moody....
would later return to the band, and the band recruited Kit Woolven, who has produced albums for Phil Lynott
Phil Lynott
Philip Parris "Phil" Lynott was an Irish musician who first came to prominence as a founding member, principal songwriter, and frontman of the Irish rock band Thin Lizzy....
, David Gilmour
David Gilmour
David Jon Gilmour, CBE, D.M. is an English rock musician and multi-instrumentalist who is best known as the guitarist, one of the lead singers and main songwriters in the progressive rock band Pink Floyd. In addition to his work with Pink Floyd, Gilmour has worked as a producer for a variety of...
and Thin Lizzy
Thin Lizzy
Thin Lizzy are an Irish hard rock band formed in Dublin in 1969. Two of the founding members, drummer Brian Downey and bass guitarist/vocalist Phil Lynott met while still in school. Lynott assumed the role of frontman and led them throughout their recording career of thirteen studio albums...
. The album was recorded at DEP International Studios, then known as The Abattoir Studios, home of UB40
UB40
UB40 are a British reggae/pop band formed in 1978 in Birmingham. The band has placed more than 50 singles in the UK Singles Chart, and has also achieved considerable international success. One of the world's best-selling music artists, UB40 have sold over 70 million records.Their hit singles...
.
Upon its release in May 1985, On a Storyteller's Night reached #24 in the UK charts and launched the band across Europe and is also notable for the stunning cover by fantasy illustrator Rodney Matthews
Rodney Matthews
Rodney Matthews is a fantasy artist and illustrator.In 1978, he published Yendor: The Journey of a Junior Adventurer, a hard-back picture book featuring his distinctive paintings of "The Wild Country", a fantasy world seen through the eyes of young Yendor, named after his son...
. Two singles were released to promote the album, an alternate recording of "Just Like an Arrow" in March 1985 and "On a Storyteller's Night" in May 1985.
In 2005 Sanctuary Records
Sanctuary Records
Sanctuary Records Group Limited was a record label based in the United Kingdom and a subsidiary of Universal Music Group. Until June 2007, it was the largest independent record label in the UK and the largest independent music management company in the world...
remastered and expanded the album for its 20th Anniversary, including a bonus disc of the albums demo material. The band also toured, performing all of the tracks in their entirety for the first time.
The 2005 expanded version of the album was reissued on 22 September 2006 in Japan with Mini LP/Paper Sleeve packaging through Arcangelo. The album was also included in a limited edition Japanese Box Set, comprising all six of Sanctuary Records Expanded and Remastered releases with Mini LP/Paper Sleeve packaging. The set included an outer box featuring Magnum
Magnum (band)
Magnum are a British progressive rock band from Birmingham, England. Formed as a four piece by Tony Clarkin , Bob Catley , Kex Gorin and Bob Doyle in order to appear as the resident band at The Rum Runner night club Birmingham...
's Chase The Dragon
Chase the Dragon
- Cover Sleeve :The cover art was designed by Rodney Matthews."My original brief for Magnum's 'Chase the Dragon' album cover was given by Tony Clarkin, founder member of the band, who writes all the music and lyrics. In the first instance the record was to have been called 'The Spirit' and my rough...
artwork.
Track listing
Cover Sleeve
The cover art was designed by Rodney MatthewsRodney Matthews
Rodney Matthews is a fantasy artist and illustrator.In 1978, he published Yendor: The Journey of a Junior Adventurer, a hard-back picture book featuring his distinctive paintings of "The Wild Country", a fantasy world seen through the eyes of young Yendor, named after his son...
.
"On a Storyteller's Night is also a favourite of mine and one of my best known images. Again it was largely designed by Tony Clarkin with his formidable biro!" — Rodney Matthews
Rodney Matthews
Rodney Matthews is a fantasy artist and illustrator.In 1978, he published Yendor: The Journey of a Junior Adventurer, a hard-back picture book featuring his distinctive paintings of "The Wild Country", a fantasy world seen through the eyes of young Yendor, named after his son...
"One of Matthews' best-loved pictures [is] 'On a Storyteller's Night,' which was used by Magnum as a sleeve. As surprising as the degree of lively detail is that it took only ten days to complete (with the help of some Midnight oil). The suggestion came from Tony Clarkin, Magnum's leader, writer and lyricist. The taverns interior is faintly reminiscent of The George in Norton St. Philip near Rodney's former home on Somerset. Background details include two previous Matthews'
Rodney Matthews
Rodney Matthews is a fantasy artist and illustrator.In 1978, he published Yendor: The Journey of a Junior Adventurer, a hard-back picture book featuring his distinctive paintings of "The Wild Country", a fantasy world seen through the eyes of young Yendor, named after his son...
covers for the band [Chase The Dragon
Chase the Dragon
- Cover Sleeve :The cover art was designed by Rodney Matthews."My original brief for Magnum's 'Chase the Dragon' album cover was given by Tony Clarkin, founder member of the band, who writes all the music and lyrics. In the first instance the record was to have been called 'The Spirit' and my rough...
and The Eleventh Hour
The Eleventh Hour (Magnum album)
-Cover Sleeve:The cover art was designed by Rodney Matthews."The Eleventh Hour illustration was mostly the brain child of Magnum's Tony Clarkin, a likable 'brummy' of eccentric appearance. He came to my studio where we listened to lyrics and he scribbled out a little sketch indicating the figure...
], while Matthews
Rodney Matthews
Rodney Matthews is a fantasy artist and illustrator.In 1978, he published Yendor: The Journey of a Junior Adventurer, a hard-back picture book featuring his distinctive paintings of "The Wild Country", a fantasy world seen through the eyes of young Yendor, named after his son...
' own dog, Patch is under the table." — Nigel Suckling
Reissues
| Date of Release | Formats | Label | Catalogue Number | Notes |
| 05/85 | LP, PD, CD | FM Records | WKFMLP34, WKFMPD34, WKMXD34 | |
| 12/88 | LP | FM Records | WKFMHP34 | |
| 01/90 | LP | FM Records | WKFMGP34 | |
| 01/93 | CD | Jet Records Jet Records Jet Records was a small British record label set up by Don Arden with artists like Electric Light Orchestra , Roy Wood, Gary Moore, Ozzy Osbourne, Riot and Magnum. The first release on the "Jet Records" label was "No Honestly", a UK top 10 for its singer and writer Lynsey De Paul in November 1974... |
JETCD1007 | Includes Interview |
| 02/00 | CD | Receiver Records | RRCD283 | Includes Interview |
| 10/05 | 2CD | Sanctuary Records Sanctuary Records Sanctuary Records Group Limited was a record label based in the United Kingdom and a subsidiary of Universal Music Group. Until June 2007, it was the largest independent record label in the UK and the largest independent music management company in the world... |
CMQDD1115 | Remastered and Expanded with Bonus Disc of rarities |
Reissue Notes
"These demos were recorded at a studio called Switch Music which has long ceased to exist. I think the original recording date was in the Autumn of 1984, we went into the studio to produce some rough ideas for the songs consequently this is why some of the tracks just have a drum machine on them. At the time we began recording the album we didn't have a record deal but this change when we were halfway through the demos when we did get signed and continued to record the rest of the demos as a Live Band."Some of the songs started life with different titles. 'Les Mort Dansant' had a working title of 'Cannon' and 'Steal Your Heart' was originally titled 'Come On Young Love'. 'The Last Dance' changed dramatically from the original recordings which is very obvious when you compare the demo version to the finished song and the demo to 'All England's Eyes' has a hideous solo on a melodica
Melodica
The melodica, also known as the "blow-organ" or "key-flute", is a free-reed instrument similar to the melodeon and harmonica. It has a musical keyboard on top, and is played by blowing air through a mouthpiece that fits into a hole in the side of the instrument. Pressing a key opens a hole,...
as I didn't have my guitar at the studio that day and there was a melodica
Melodica
The melodica, also known as the "blow-organ" or "key-flute", is a free-reed instrument similar to the melodeon and harmonica. It has a musical keyboard on top, and is played by blowing air through a mouthpiece that fits into a hole in the side of the instrument. Pressing a key opens a hole,...
lying around the studio, enough said!!
"The extra tracks are demos recorded in their most basic form and were the first stage the songs went through. We then played the live on stage before we ever recorded them properly which meant they changed from show to show and were suitable "road tested" before recording. The title track 'On A Storyteller's Night' was written on the road on a tour bus a month before we went into the studio to record the album.
"Finally in 1985 we went into Abattoir Studios in Birmingham to record On a Storyteller's Night." — Tony Clarkin
Tony Clarkin
Tony Clarkin is a British musician, best known as the guitarist of the rock band Magnum...
, February 2005
Singles
Just Like an Arrow 7" (March 1985)- "Just Like an Arrow" [Alternate Take] — 3:22
- "Two Hearts" [Alternate Take] — 4:24
The promotional video for "Just Like An Arrow" featured a black jeep, starting in a bull-fighting ring and ending up reaching the band who were laying at the base of a cliff. In parallel, a caped and hooded rider in Arabic clothing remniscient of Scheherazade
Scheherazade
Scheherazade , sometimes Scheherazadea, Persian transliteration Shahrazad or Shahrzād is a legendary Persian queen and the storyteller of One Thousand and One Nights.-Narration :...
on a horse rode on an apparent quest to reach to band, ultimately revealed to be a beautiful young woman. The true meaning of these parallel aspects of the video are utterly lost and the video has to qualify as one of the most baffling or pointless. The single and video also feature an "alternative take" on the track, with the guitar solo partially covered by added vocals.
Just Like an Arrow 12" (March 1985)
- "Just Like an Arrow" [Alternate Take] — 3:22
- "Two Hearts" [Alternate Take] — 4:24
- "The Word" [B-Side] — 4:58
On a Storyteller's Night 7" (May 1985)
- "On a Storyteller's Night" — 4:59
- "Before First Light" — 3:52
On a Storyteller's Night 12" (May 1985)
- "On a Storyteller's Night" — 4:59
- "Before First Light" — 3:52
Personnel
- Tony Clarkin — Guitar
- Bob Catley — Vocals
- Wally Lowe — Bass
- Mark Stanway — Keyboards
- Jim Simpson — Drums
Additional Musicians
- Mo Birch — Backing Vocals (on "Les Mort Dansant")
- Kex Gorin — Drums (on Disc 2, 1, 3 — 5, 8)
Production
- Produced and Engineered by Kit Woolven
- Recorded at the Abattoir Studios, Birmingham, England
- Mastered at Abbey Road Studios on Direct Metal Mastering
External links
- www.magnumonline.co.uk — Official Magnum site
- On A Storyteller's Night: 20th Anniversary Expanded Edition - Sanctuary Records' mini site
- Record Covers — at rodneymatthews.com