I completely disagree with scouser14. Andy Sears deserves much more recognition for his part in the Twelfth Night story, If prog rock fans in general weren't so purist and a little more open to 'progression' , TN would have continued. Geoff was great, Andy was great, TN were great - less amateur criticism and more appreciation. I'll be at all their 2010 gigs. Thank you to ALL six of you for some fantastic years (and seven including Mark). Just hoping they'll play Take A Look!! ;-)
The think aboug Geoff was that he was clearly not a great singer. But the naivety of his singing coupled with his copious integrity and razor-sharp insight, made him a vocal giant of the microphone. Andy merely "sings", it's not the same. Any gravitas that TN had, unfortunately departed with Geoff, and that is a sad thing, compounded by his sad death in 1993.
1 Andy Sears was chosen to replace Geoff for many reasons, but sounding or performing like Geoff was not one of them
2 Andy sang many of Geoff's songs in his early days with Twelfth Night (he'd been in the band 6 months when this was recorded) but soon stamped his authority on the sound and style of the band: for all the right reasons
Let's honour both the memory of Geoff Mann and the enduring talent of Andy Sears and not resort to pointless mud-flinging.
I will declare my love for this band from the start. I have had the extraordinary pleasure of seeing them live 104 times, which encompasses my first sight of them at the Christopher in Eton to their sad demise and, after far too long a hiatus, a far too brief live revival. Geoff was one of the nicest men ever to walk this planet and his criminally early death was a loss to everyone. Andy Sears is a fantastic talent who has always acknowledged the debt he owes Geoff.
I do think they chose poorly for Geoff's replacement. He lead them down the path to oblivion by trying to become the new Echo/Duran/Teardrops instead of continuing their fabulous prog. Used to call him 'shrimp' (seeing as Fish was taken :)
Brings back fantastic memories. Fact and Faction and Live and Let Live were excellent examples of early 80s prog rock. I wonder if anyone has any clips of TN with Geoff Mann? PLEASE!
I, too, love Fact and Fiction. It's too bad that this band do not get the recognition of Marillion, especially in the states. Does anyone have a TN vid with better sound? I purchased F&F a year ago, or so, @ Amazon. Still one of my favs of so-called "neo-prog" genre, along with the 1st 2 by IQ, the Sentinel by Paallas, and Songs From a Lion's Cage by Arena. Also, for to mention Script... by Marillion
Great video! TN found gold in Andy Sears, a charismatic frontman and Ace vocalist. Art & Illusion and XII are superb albums to all but the purist killjoy. Like Phil Collins and Steve Hogarth, Sears is a victim of the narrow-mindedness and tunnel-vision that brings "Prog?/Neo?" music into disrepute. And he doesn't seem to care - Chapeau Andy! Thanks TN back Andy S & Clive M: I'd never have seen such an awe-inspiring gig at the Albany otherwise! Cheers TN... and less bitching please girls! ;-)
Geoff Mann was sort of genius, a poet, a great vocalist and his compositions remain bright in prog history. Andy's a good singer too, but without Geoff 12th night lost a lot. The Fish-H thing is a little different: H is a better singer than Fish and a good musician, but Fish is a more charismatic frontman. Don't wanna waste a word making comparation between God Peter and the short bald drummer
I think you're a bit off the mark there maxi... Andy Sears was and is a far superior singer. Geoff was more Hammil influenced - 'wobbly' at best. Another thing is the material.. horses for courses. Some like the earlier stuff, others the later stuff. And that's not really up for criticism, or have the thought police now decided what one should like or dislike? Lol. Another point: as a frontman, it's hard to find anyone more charismatic than Andy.
geoff mann was the charismatic leader of this band. a good lyric writer and a good singer, and i think 12th night without him lost a very big part of his greatness. although this song (a geoff's one) is so good with andy sears on vocals too. great
I completely disagree with scouser14. Andy Sears deserves much more recognition for his part in the Twelfth Night story, If prog rock fans in general weren't so purist and a little more open to 'progression' , TN would have continued. Geoff was great, Andy was great, TN were great - less amateur criticism and more appreciation. I'll be at all their 2010 gigs. Thank you to ALL six of you for some fantastic years (and seven including Mark). Just hoping they'll play Take A Look!! ;-)
jansix1212 2 years ago
The think aboug Geoff was that he was clearly not a great singer. But the naivety of his singing coupled with his copious integrity and razor-sharp insight, made him a vocal giant of the microphone. Andy merely "sings", it's not the same. Any gravitas that TN had, unfortunately departed with Geoff, and that is a sad thing, compounded by his sad death in 1993.
RichVader 2 years ago
A very hard act for Andy to follow. I love Geoff's lyrics - even now in my 40's I see new things in them. A great band still.
666armarda 2 years ago
Over acted, lost lyrics, a great band destroyed by a Limahl look alike. Geoff RIP
advenlo 3 years ago
Let's get this in perspective.
1 Andy Sears was chosen to replace Geoff for many reasons, but sounding or performing like Geoff was not one of them
2 Andy sang many of Geoff's songs in his early days with Twelfth Night (he'd been in the band 6 months when this was recorded) but soon stamped his authority on the sound and style of the band: for all the right reasons
Let's honour both the memory of Geoff Mann and the enduring talent of Andy Sears and not resort to pointless mud-flinging.
AndrewPhilipWild 3 years ago 2
I will declare my love for this band from the start. I have had the extraordinary pleasure of seeing them live 104 times, which encompasses my first sight of them at the Christopher in Eton to their sad demise and, after far too long a hiatus, a far too brief live revival. Geoff was one of the nicest men ever to walk this planet and his criminally early death was a loss to everyone. Andy Sears is a fantastic talent who has always acknowledged the debt he owes Geoff.
eternalhorn 2 years ago 5
104 times?! - I thought I was a bit of a fan with around 12 or 15 shows! Hats off to you.
markfacthunt 2 years ago
I do think they chose poorly for Geoff's replacement. He lead them down the path to oblivion by trying to become the new Echo/Duran/Teardrops instead of continuing their fabulous prog. Used to call him 'shrimp' (seeing as Fish was taken :)
scouserfourteen 2 years ago
without geoff it's just middle class prog rock band
garbus77 3 years ago 2
Brings back fantastic memories. Fact and Faction and Live and Let Live were excellent examples of early 80s prog rock. I wonder if anyone has any clips of TN with Geoff Mann? PLEASE!
markfacthunt 3 years ago
I, too, love Fact and Fiction. It's too bad that this band do not get the recognition of Marillion, especially in the states. Does anyone have a TN vid with better sound? I purchased F&F a year ago, or so, @ Amazon. Still one of my favs of so-called "neo-prog" genre, along with the 1st 2 by IQ, the Sentinel by Paallas, and Songs From a Lion's Cage by Arena. Also, for to mention Script... by Marillion
JIF882 3 years ago
Buy the new book + DVD (Play On) - Geoff performances included! (and they're GREAT!)
scouserfourteen 2 years ago
fine
mauriciofaber 4 years ago
Great video! TN found gold in Andy Sears, a charismatic frontman and Ace vocalist. Art & Illusion and XII are superb albums to all but the purist killjoy. Like Phil Collins and Steve Hogarth, Sears is a victim of the narrow-mindedness and tunnel-vision that brings "Prog?/Neo?" music into disrepute. And he doesn't seem to care - Chapeau Andy! Thanks TN back Andy S & Clive M: I'd never have seen such an awe-inspiring gig at the Albany otherwise! Cheers TN... and less bitching please girls! ;-)
bigbluenoise 4 years ago 3
i think truth stands in the middle.
Geoff Mann was sort of genius, a poet, a great vocalist and his compositions remain bright in prog history. Andy's a good singer too, but without Geoff 12th night lost a lot. The Fish-H thing is a little different: H is a better singer than Fish and a good musician, but Fish is a more charismatic frontman. Don't wanna waste a word making comparation between God Peter and the short bald drummer
maxpippobianca 4 years ago
I think you're a bit off the mark there maxi... Andy Sears was and is a far superior singer. Geoff was more Hammil influenced - 'wobbly' at best. Another thing is the material.. horses for courses. Some like the earlier stuff, others the later stuff. And that's not really up for criticism, or have the thought police now decided what one should like or dislike? Lol. Another point: as a frontman, it's hard to find anyone more charismatic than Andy.
crypticXII 3 years ago
geoff mann was the charismatic leader of this band. a good lyric writer and a good singer, and i think 12th night without him lost a very big part of his greatness. although this song (a geoff's one) is so good with andy sears on vocals too. great
maxpippobianca 4 years ago 2
Unfortunately without Geoff Mann.....nevertheless a great performance!
Tuurke01 4 years ago