The Eleventh Hour (Magnum album)

Infobox Album |
Name = The Eleventh Hour
Type = Album
Artist = Magnum


Released = May 1983
Recorded = Portland Studios London United Kingdom 1983
Genre = Rock Melodic Rock Progressive rock
Length = 1983: 39:38 2005: 70:09
Label = Jet Records
Producer = Tony Clarkin
Reviews = *All Music Rating|3|5 [http://www.allmusicguide.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:0xfuxqw5ldfe link]
* ProgArchives Rating|3|5 [http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=11457 link]
Last album = "Chase The Dragon" (1982)
This album = "The Eleventh Hour" (1983)
Next album = "On A Storyteller's Night" (1985)

"The Eleventh Hour" is the fourth Studio Album by British Melodic Rock band Magnum, released in 1983 by Jet Records.

The production of this album caused a lot of tension between the band and Jet Records, following the two-year delay to previous album, "Chase The Dragon" in 1982 and debut album "Kingdom Of Madness" in 1978. [Clarkin, Tony & Ling, David (2006). Sleeve Notes. In "The Eleventh Hour: Expanded Edition" (pp. 2) [CD liner notes] . London: Sanctuary Records.] These tensions were further strained when Jet Records denied the band a name producer, leaving them to produce the album themselves. [Clarkin, Tony & Ling, David (2006). Sleeve Notes. In "The Eleventh Hour: Expanded Edition" (pp. 2) [CD liner notes] . London: Sanctuary Records.]

"The Eleventh Hour" was released in May 1983, peaking at #38 in the UK charts. A respectable position, but disappointing considering "Chase The Dragon's" peak of #17 in 1982. "The Eleventh Hour's" original title was to be called "Road To Paradise". [Clarkin, Tony (1998). Sleeve Notes. In "Road To Paradise: Anthology 1978 — 83" (pp. 2) [CD liner notes] . London: Sanctuary Records.]

The 2005 expanded version of the album was reissued on 22nd 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 of all 6 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.

Track listing

All Tracks written by Tony Clarkin.

# "The Prize" — 3:39
# "Breakdown" — 3:59
# "The Great Disaster" — 3:46
# "Vicious Companions" — 3:36
# "So Far Away" — 4:35
# "Hit And Run" — 3:39
# "One Night Of Passion" — 3:48
# "The Word" — 4:54
# "Young And Precious Souls" — 4:03
# "Road To Paradise" — 3:30

2005 Expanded Edition included these tracks:

11. "The Word" [B-Side] — 4:58 originally released on the single "Just Like An Arrow"
12. "True Fine Love" [Outtake] — 3:22 originally released on "Archive"
13. "The Prize" [BBC Session] — 3:26 originally released on "Long Days, Black Nights"
14. "Breakdown" [BBC Session] — 3:53 originally released on "Long Days, Black Nights"
15. "Vicious Companions" [BBC Session] — 3:25 originally released on "Long Days, Black Nights"
16. "Road To Paradise" [BBC Session] — 3:0 originally released on "Long Days, Black Nights"
17. "The Prize" [Acoustic] — 4:37 originally released on "Keeping The Nite Light Burning"
18. "One Night Of Passion" [Acoustic] — 3:48 originally released on "Keeping The Nite Light Burning"

Cover Sleeve

The cover art was designed by Rodney Matthews.

"The Eleventh Hour" illustration was mostly the brain child of Magnum's Tony (the hat) 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 on the throne, the group of young children and the industrial wasteland. The aircraft (like ducks on a wall) and the unreasoning shark missiles in their silos where my own contribution.

"Tony had joked that his idea for the title of the record had come from his impression of Jet Records who appeared to leave everything until the last minute, though he did explain a deeper significance, one which I think becomes obvious from the artwork.

"Many of Clarkin's lyrics show a deep concern for the shortcomings of our civilization and the injustices which occur, although he is not advocating any revolutionary solutions. The changes have to come from each individual." [Matthews, Rodney; & Suckling, Nigel; (1985). In Search Of Forever (1st ed.). Great Britain: Dragon's World Ltd. ISBN 1-85028-003-7.] — Rodney Matthews

"Magnum's "The Eleventh Hour" was another Tony Clarkin design and is a sort of "Last Days" scenario." [Matthews, Rodney; & Suckling, Nigel; (1985). Countdown To Millennium (1st ed.). United States of America: The Overlook Press. ISBN 0-87951-780-8.] — Rodney Matthews

Reissues

Bonus Tracks

Sanctuary Records released a 2005 Remastered and Expanded edition with a Bonus Tracks.

"The Word"" (Disc 1, 11) This was recorded in 1982 at Portland Studios, London and we decided to commission Louis Clarke (at great expense) to arrange and conduct The London Philharmonic Orchestra, subsequently recorded at Abby Road Studios, London. [ Clarkin, Tony (1993). Sleeve Notes. In "Archive" (pp. 3) [CD liner notes] . London: Jet Records.] — Tony Clarkin

This track was later released as the B-Side to "Just Like An Arrow"

"True Fine Love"" (Disc 1, 12) This was recorded at Portland Studios in early 1982 and was originally intended for "The Eleventh Hour" but was though to be a bit too rock 'n' roll for that album. We are pleased to see its release now. [ Clarkin, Tony (1993). Sleeve Notes. In "Archive" (pp. 3) [CD liner notes] . London: Jet Records.] — Tony Clarkin

"The Prize," "Breakdown," "Vicious Companions," and "Road To Paradise"" (Disc 1, 13 — 16) These tracks were recorded for Radio 1 Friday Rock Show Session on May 13th, 1983. The session features Robin George on Rhythm Guitar and was first broadcast on May 27th 1983. The session was produced by Tony Wilson and Engineered by Dave Dade. [Clarkin, Tony & Ling, David (2006). Sleeve Notes. In "The Eleventh Hour: Expanded Edition" (pp. 2) [CD liner notes] . London: Sanctuary Records.]

"The Prize" and "One Night Of Passion"" (Disc 1, 17 — 18) Was released in 1993 on Magnum's acoustic album "Keeping The Night Lite Burning".

Personnel

*Tony Clarkin — Guitar
*Bob Catley — Vocals
*Wally Lowe — Bass
*Mark Stanway — Keyboards
*Kex Gorin — Drums

Additional Musicians
*Robin George — Rhythm Guitar (on 15 — 18)

Production

*Recorded at Portland Studios, London
*Mixed at Odyssey Studios, London
*Produced by Tony Clarkin
*Assisted by Bob Catley
*Engineered by Dave Garland

References

External links

* [http://www.magnumonline.co.uk www.magnumonline.co.uk] — Official Magnum site
* [http://www.sanctuaryrecords.co.uk/magnum_expanded/hour/ The Eleventh Hour: Expanded Edition] - Sanctuary Records' mini site
* [http://lyricwiki.org/Magnum:The_Eleventh_Hour_(1983) The Eleventh Hour (1983)] — lyrics from lyricwiki.org
* [http://www.rodneymatthews.com/recordcovers.htm Record Covers] — at rodneymatthews.com