GEAOFF MANN

'Man to Mann' Musician, painter, priest. Geoff Mann died of cancer on February 5th 1993. This album is a collection of songs written or performed by Geoff, covered here by some of the bands and friends he knew and worked with during his musical career. It is their tribute to a man who touched many lives.

'Lives of great men can remind us
we may make our lives sublime
and departing leave behind us
footprints on the sands of time'
- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

While considering what to write for these sleeve notes, many thoughts came to mind about the few years I had known Geoff. Funny stories from gigs; challenging moments from the pulpit; sad times of Illness. Unfortunately, I would need far more than one page to even give a brief insight into Geoff's personality.
Geoff was a great communicator. He could relate equally well to an elderly lady at church, a student at a gig, record company boss or member of another band. Those of you who were fortunate to meet him or see him play live will know what I mean. He was larger than life. With his incisive wit and warm manner he made an impression on everyone he met.
To me he was just like any other ordinary man who performed at Reading festival, featured on Radio One, became a vicar, wrote and performed plays, had major exhibitions of paintings, released 15 albums, appeared on national TV and wrote a book. He also found time to be a loving husband, and father of three children.
His legacy will be his music, and I encourage you to seek out his albums and discover the Mann.
- Andy Labrow, July 1994

'The throne of life, bright blazing
the grip of death destroyed
the life of all life plain for all to see
eternal songs of gladness are all that can be heard
the truth unveiled as greater than all dreams
The Waking Dawn
Geoff Mann, 1991
 
 
Edmund Geoffrey Mann 11 April 1956, Geoff born in Carrington, Cheshire September 1974, arrives at Reading university to study fine art.  
Acts as roadie and backdrop painter for the group that eventually became Twelfth Night July 1978, leaves Reading University, and returns home to Carrington with BA (Hons) in fine art September 1978. 
Marries Jane Day October 1978, the first of many one man painting and drawing exhibitions in Blackburn, Lancashire January 1981, move to new home in Duchy Street Salford, later immortalised on cover of Loud Symbols March 1981. 
Geoff and Pete Lawrence play support dates to the instrumental Twelfth Night as the two piece wacky improvisation band The God Stars August 1981, Geoff performs first gig as vocalist with Twelfth Night at Reading Festival December 1981. 
The Album Smiling at Grief released October 1982, the single Eleanor Rigby/East of Eden released December 1982, Fact and Fiction released August 1983, Geoff & Jane's first child, Thomas, born November 1983, Geoff leaves Twelfth Night after 2 sell out gigs at the Marquee, which were recorded for a live album February 1984, the album Live and Let Live released March 1984.
Solo album Chants Would Be A Fine Thing released September 1984, solo album I May Sing Grace released June 1985, Geoff, Paul Keeble, Dave Mortimer and Gary Mitchell form The Earthlings. The band lasts for about 5 informal gigs, Paul and Gary leave to form Alphabet July 1985.
Geoff contributes to a cassette-only gospel musical album The Dawn, and played the lead character in the stage version August 1985, Geoff's play A Convenient Day performed in London and on the Edinburgh Fringe January 1986, Geoff & Jane's second child, James, born February 1986, solo album Psalm Enchanted Evening released. 
The Geoff Mann Band formed, quickly evolving into The Bond July 1986, Geoff contributes to the follow-up to The Dawn, called Tomorrow, again playing the lead character on stage. Geoff's wife, Jane, wrote the script for the stage play September 1986.
Geoff begins training for ordination into The Church of England May 1987, Geoff produces, sings backing vocals and programmes drum machines on Marc Catley's EP, The Peel Tower Hop July 1987, The Bond release Won by One March 1988, compilation album Double Exposure features The Bond song Seriously Siblings July 1988, Marc Catley and Geoff Mann release In Difference August 1988, The Bond release Prints Of Peace February 1989
Formed A Geoff Mann Band, with ex-members of The Earthlings/Alphabet July 1989, ordained Deacon at Manchester Cathedral. Moves to Christ's Church, Harwood, Bolton to start work as curate May 1990, Loud Symbols by A Geoff Mann Band released July 1990. 
Ordained priest at Bolton Parish Church September 1990, Geoff & Jane's third child, Bethany, born March 1991, the Twelfth Night album Collectors Item Released May 1991, Marc Catley and Geoff Mann release The Off The End Of The Pier Show May 1991, ACM sampler (ACM CD2) (featuring For God's Sake from I May Sing Grace) released, only in America October 1991.
Ministry of the Interior by 'Eh! Geoff Mann Band' Released February 1992, Over the Edge (from Pier Show) released on New Age Mail Order Sampler 4 (NAMO 004) February 1992, Fine Difference (compilation of In Difference, several rare Marc Catley tracks and 4 tracks from Chants Would Be A Fine Thing) May 1992, White Water (from Pier Show) released on New Age Radio Show No3 sampler May 1992
Second Chants, the follow-up to Chants Would Be A Fine Thing, released by SI Music July 1992, Lucid Dreaming, (NAMA 2001) a new age sampler, containing the track Over The Edge, from Pier Show released July 1992. 
Casino, a project with Clive Nolan, with contributions from several other progressive musicians, is released. Geoff wrote the words, and Clive the music September 1992. 
Geoff diagnosed as having Crohn's disease. This would later prove to be incorrect September 1992, Geoff inducted as vicar of St. Luke's Church, Deeplish, Rochdale November 1992, after an operation to treat the Crohn's disease, the diagnosis of Geoff's illness was changed to cancer February 1993. 
Geoff dies of cancer, at home in Rochdale. June 1993. 
SI sampler 1 containing two Geoff Mann tracks July 1993, Live and Let Live re-released by SI Music featuring 3 extra tracks April 1994, release of 'In One Era...' compilation of the Grace and Psalm albums on Compact Disc.