Reviews

...Manning continues to establish himself as the "Troubadour of Prog," emphasizing the importance of a well-crafted melody. "I'm working with good musicians…but I do not build songs for extensive solos. There are little solos here and there, but we're not like (other bands) that can simply jam along and dazzle the audience for hours." The "dazzle" here lies in the solid, consistent songwriting abilities of Manning himself...
www.progforum.nl/readarticle.php?article_id=51

...If you are already familiar with Manning’s work, Anser’s Tree will be an easy purchase decision in that that it’s everything he’s done and more. If you are new to the music of Guy Manning or are only familiar with his work with Tangent, this would be a good place to start. Anser’s Tree is a very satisfying listen, displaying a wide range of musical styles all wrapped up in an interesting story. Anser’s Tree get’s an A+ in my book.
www.dvdivas.net/ProgVoices/M/manning-anserstree.html

Italian review
www.unprogged.com/forums/showthread.php?p=11696#post11696

...The concept itself is appealing enough, but the first strains of "Margaret Mongtomery (1581-?)" really set the proverbial hook. It's been a long time since I last listened to Jethro Tull, a lifelong favorite of mine, but Manning's folk-rock stylings reminded me of just what I was missing - until now, anyways. Manning's singing closely resembles that of Ian Anderson and the featuring of more traditional instruments - flutes, fiddles, saxophones, piano and acoustic guitars - invokes head-spinning deja vu circa Thick As A Brick. All that said, however, Manning is not just a Tull knock-off by any means. Anser's Tree is a collection of excellent songs that reflects Manning's singular persona and vision. Each song is essentially epic, ranging between 6-15 minutes, and effectively evokes visions of the story being told. Especially affecting is the boyhood curiosity of "Joshua Logan (1990-2048)," whose questions remind us that we all are constantly searching for answers, and the sinister tale of "Diana Horden (1900-1922)," whose pursuit of a mysterious serial killer brings the young detective too close to her prey for her own good...
www.progressiveworld.net/html/modules.php?name=Reviews&rop=showcontent&id=1851

...To get the best out of this CD, you need to know the background of each track so read the sleevnotes very caefully beforehand and if you can, buy the CD asap to receive the free 'family tree' which also very much enhances the experience. Quality yet again, Guy, can't wait for the next!
www.progarchives.com/Progressive_rock_discography_CD.asp?cd_id=12836

...Anser's Tree is a concept album in which Dr. Jonathan Anser explores his family tree - and 6 of the 7 songs tell the story of one of an ancestor. The song titles are the ancestor's name and dates of birth and death - rather like you'd find in a family tree. Anser himself "Dr. Jonathan Anser (2089-???)" is born in the year 2089 - making this an interesting look into the future. It's an unusual concept, and Manning’s lyrics are always clearly enunciated - and unlike so many prog artists - his lyrics make sense. So in the tradition of the early progressive artists, it is at once easy to follow the storyline, and rewarding to track how the complexities of the music follow the events in the characters' lives...
www.seaoftranquility.org/reviews.php?op=showcontent&id=4272

Italian review
www.hardsounds.it/PUBLIC/recensione.php?id=2678

...Each song is named after the person that Guy speaks about and places him in a historic context. Unlike Wim Kratsborn and The Gathering in the "The Musical History Tour", "Anser’s Tree" has a coherent approach and is not dressed in similar to the age music "clothes". The style is progressive folk rock. Although full member of The Tangent, in this album Guy Manning has followed a direction, that shifts between acoustic moments and complex progressive rock, all of them provided in sophisticated and charming melodies. Jethro Tull and Tempest are a few names that come easily to your mind when you listen to "Anser’s Tree", which is a very good recommendation for all prog-rockers. As for my metal friends: this could be a good intermission of stylish progressive rock.
www.metalperspective.com/reviews/manning.php

..The music on his latest album Anser’s Tree tends to grow with the lifetimes of the characters on the record, at first you have this ‘Old English folk’ styled progressive rock with sub-acoustic/folk-rock tracks “Jack Roberts” and “William Barras (think of Tempest);” but as the album leads on, you have a more Canterbury style progressive rock stance ala-Tangent & Proto-Kaw with “Joshua Logan” and “Professor Adam Logan.”..
www.ytsejam.com/modules.php?name=Reviews&rop=showcontent&id=1067

French review
www.musicinbelgium.net/pl/modules.php?name=Reviews&rop=showcontent&id=1621

...In his songwriting and composition, this album maintains the richness, complexity, harmony and diversity that we have become accustom to through Manningls previous releases. Anser's Tree deliveres folk mixed with candy-jazzier moments; containing progressive lines and symphonic textures, while the Flutes, Saxes, Violins, Mandolins (along with some vintage keyboards) make their appearance thereby transportingthe music into fully enjoyable instrumental parts. The result is melodies that are so tasty that a candid smile is imposed on your face without asking for your conscious release...
www.proggnosis.com/MUSIC_DBCDInfo.asp?txtCDID=20339

French review
www.progressivewaves.com/frmChronique.aspx?ALB_ID=1915

German review
www.metal.de/cdreviews.php4?was=review&id=7131

German review
www.blooddawn.de/reviews.php3?showID=2807

...Manning has always shown lots of JETHRO TULL influences, but never more so than on this record. At times you’d swear this was a sequel to Thick As A Brick. Guy Manning’s vocals are very close to Ian Anderson’s, and the prominent use of flutes (courtesy of Stephen Dundon) makes the similarities even more obvious. You’ll soon notice that MANNING is much, much more than a TULL-clone, though; he’s definitely developed his own style over the years. And then there are the mandolins, fiddles, saxes and the obvious acoustic and electric rock instruments as well, which make listening to this album a very intense and rewarding experience. Superb songs, which any prog rock fan will appreciate, and anyone who isn’t affected by a moving song ‘Joshua Logan’, sure miss something in their lives...
www.prog-nose.org/engels/albums_2006/manning_anserstree.htm

...The first four tracks are just filled with a genuinely creative energy. Overall, all of them are the works of symphonic Art-Rock with a strong folk component, having generally much common ground between themselves, but since those three that follow Margaret Montgomery are more complicated plus they reveal some distinguishing features, Guy did act wisely in putting the said song at the head of this musically-genealogical parade. If the content of the opener is as progressively saturated as that of the title track of Jethro Tull's "Aqualung", then the next two, Jack Roberts and William Barras, are closer to Thick As a Brick and A Passion Play, respectively. The former tune falls squarely into the framework of classic Symphonic Progressive, never exceeding the bounds of that idiom, besides which two guest keyboardists introduce some additional symphonic drive to its sound. As to the latter epic (14:45), I've just remembered how infamously the Tulls were accused of "alienation from people" after the release of "A Passion Play" - their only album on which Anderson also plays saxophone. In short, William Barras is the most intricate-and-intriguing composition here, and if violinist Ian Walter is still responsible for bringing folk colorations to the mixture, Laura Foules provides some genuine jazz solos in places (and more such are present on the next track as well)...
www.progressor.net/review/manning_2006.html

German review (10 out of 10)
www.sonny1968.de/reviews/2006/reviews1006.htm#Manning

Italian review
www.hardsounds.it/PUBLIC/recensione.php?id=2678&PHPSESSID=71a171c4a76d478a4795ecd82d36894b

Italian review
truemetal.it/reviews.php?op=albumreview&id=5232

German review
www.squealer-rocks.de/cdreview.php?var=538

...Manning's "Anser's Tree" presents a fictitious family tree for Dr. Jonathan Anser who lives in the not-too-distant future. The concept came to Guy as he imagined stories of people from the past and people in a rather watery future. The homonym concept driving "Anser's Tree" is "Ancestry." The album presents our collective search for meaning and belonging as a part of a vast pattern spanning several hundred years and ending with the same search. Far from a fruitless journey, the search reveals many revelatory, and mysterious, narratives that coalesce into the existential fabric of existence. Ranging across a wide spectrum of sound, "Anser's Tree" grants the listener a "feel" of each era through clever inclusion of Canterbury thematic elements, mature songwriting and a balanced presentation of electronic and acoustic instrumentation. The CD is truly a delight for the ears...
www.progbase.com/readarticle.php?article_id=51

...The most gloomy track arrangement-wise is the last track, "Dr. Jonathan Anser." It begins with keyboards (maybe even Mellotron, certainly an organ) creating an almost-gothic atmosphere. It's gloomy story-wise, too, as Anser is alone in what remains of the Scottish country side, trying to track his past. My favorite moment begins at the 4:36 mark; marching drums and keyboards … the rhythm quickening with each measure, tension building… sax bleeting as a perfect accent to this rising tension.* It is a moment of high drama… brings chills to my spine, stops me in my tracks… it's just a cool, cool passage...
www.progressiveworld.net/html/modules.php?name=Reviews&rop=showcontent&id=2202

German review
www.rocktimes.de/gesamt/m/guy_manning/ansers_tree.html

...This is Manning’s eighth album to date and seemingly he goes from strength to strength with every release. Margaret Montgomery, Jack Roberts and Prof. Adam Logan are certainly amongst some of his best work. His music never fails to surprise and delight with melodic invention around every corner. If I had to be perfectly honest then I did miss the fluid guitar style of Gareth Harwood which I feel is more sympathetic to Manning’s music than David Million’s more bluesy heavy rock approach. But that’s my only quibble. In all other aspects Guy has produced another excellent release that comes unreservedly recommended. I’m reluctant to throw around terms like ‘musical genius’ casually, but if any one person deserved that accolade then Guy Manning would surely be on the shortlist.
www.dprp.net/reviews/200653.php