Live at the Padget Rooms, Penarth is the sixth album by Man, released in September 1972. It was the band’s second live album, both performed by this four-piece line-up, although the line up had substantially changed before this album was released, as was acknowledged on the original LP sleeve. The idea for a live album came from Andrew Lauder, United Artists’ A&R manager, following the success of Man’s contributions to the Greasy Truckers Party benefit album, recorded at the Roundhouse in February 1972. It was agreed to record the album on “home territory” in South Wales at the Paget Rooms, Penarth, a seaside resort at the south end of Cardiff Bay. The title was considered an oddity in Penarth at the time, because of the misspelling of Paget Rooms in the album's title, as can be seen in the photo of the venue in the CD re-release. The front cover states “Special Limited Edition For Man Fans” and only 8000 copies were pressed. These were sold at a budget-price and sold out within a week, so it entered the UK mid-priced LP chart at number one, and the next week had totally disappeared. It was then unavailable for 30 years until it was released on CD in 2002.
Reception
According to Dave Thompson, it "ranks among the all-time greatest Man concert recordings, the sound of the band at the peak of its game", "with a raw sound that seems to spill straight out of the amps." The first two tracks were live versions of songs on previous studio albums, but "H. Samuel" is an improvised jam “hovering closer to the brink of a massive stoner rock-jazz fusion hybrid than any other Man album ever dared to.”
Releases
The original album comprised just three tracks, which appeared out of sequence, so as to fit on a vinyl LP. This track sequence was retained on the 2002 CD. It was not until the 2007 re-release on a double CD, that the full concert became available, and the original running order was restored
Track listing
Original LP
1997 CD
As Original LP
2007 CD Re-Release
This was re-mixed from the original 8 trackmaster tapes and restores the original running order.
There are no composer credits, or track timings, on the re-release. ;Disc one ;Disc two
