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Welcome To "Brand New Morning" : City History in the AOROCK  Universe Planet Magnum was the second planet to come into formation. It's nearest planet to it was planet SHY, which was the first planet to form. Both planets were formed from The Midlands Solar System situated in the U.K.Galaxy.  Planet  Magnum was formed in 1975, but wasn't discovered by myself until 1988, When I came upon The Wings Of Heaven City. It was only then that I leant that the actual first City to be built was "Kingdom of Madness in 1975. This city produced a superb debut album. Over the years many city's have been built and albums produced, the latest being this city, the one you are now exploring "Brand New Morning".

"Brand New Morning" was very much built like the previous Magnum cities, upon a strong foundation of well written songs by Magnum's Lyrical Architect - "Tony Clarkin", with plenty of melody and well written verses. "Bob Catley",  has delivered the songs being the elected spokesman for the Magnum cities . The rest of the Magnum's members have changed over the years, but original personnel are still in place, and helping to produce more stunning albums from the heart of each city.

"Brand New Morning" is Magnum's 14th creation, finding them back on top form. The album has all the hallmarks which is expected of Magnum over the years, However it is my opinion a marked return to form, and this has been built over 10 excellent song smith include the opening title track "Brand New Morning", building nicely into a strong verse and backed up with excellent guitar work from Clarkin, as you would expect.  Bob Catley delivers the  vocal's with all the panache and melodic tones you would expect from one of the U.K.'s top vocalists.

The combination of Bob Catley and Tony Clarkin has always been a combination that works so well, and apart in separate projects tends to be weaker , and it obvious that they bring the best out of each other. The other highlights of "Brand New Morning" is the brillaint "We All Run", The brilliant "Blue & The Grey" (American civil war - research) , the stunning "The Last Goodbye" and, of course, the epic final track "The Scarecrow". However I prefer the previously mentioned tracks on the album as I feel "The Scarecrow" could have had more impact if it was slightly shorter. There aren't really any weak tracks with the possible exception of the second track "It's time to come together", which never appealed to me from the start, but even that has grown on me.

Brand New Morning - Live (Tour) - Review of the gig at "The Astoria" (London - U.K.)

The Astoria was the venue for Magnum's Gig in London. The concert was pretty much sold out, and I went in The Royal George for a few drinks before the concert. Most Magnum fans had gone straight in, but I mingled with some in the pub and thhis much anticipated show.

Magnum while brilliant in the live environment, have on occasion dipped in form. I witnessed them in Plymouth, Devon at the Britania pub and feared the worst at this stage of their career. While the concert was small and intermit, Magnum just didn't seem to be at the races so to speak. However the time before I saw them back in 1989 - "Wings of Heaven", and riding high in the U.K. Top 40 - things couldn't have been better. I went into the gig hoping they were on form again - all reports was that they were getting back on form. I made my way into The Astoria. I've never been a fan of queing, but had missed the support band...........oh well......the pints were nice.........

It was crowded and Magnum soon hit the stage. There was an expectant atmosphere and plenty of Magnum tour shirts illustrating with variety and different tours that this band had been around for a long time, and I'd only been into them since I bought "A Story Teller's Night", in 1989, when I also bought "Wings Of Heaven". Magnum were in full swing, with Bob Catley in  full stride. I was pleased that Magnum played a fair number off the new album as this doesn't always happen. But the material was excellent on Brand New Morning. Early on Magnum played "We All Run" - and " The Blue & The Grey". It's not very often you go into a gig and pick 4 songs off  an album and the band play all 4. Later also played "Brand New Morning" and "The Last Goodbye"

Magnum as expected - and of course welcomly played some older classic tracks including (research), and "Wild Swan" off Wings of Heaven". It was a great evening and hope Magnum continue produce top class rock albums and continue to tour. The only minus was the way everybody was ushered out the concert, but I do like the atmosphere of The Astoria at the gigs.