Biography
Phil Manning, a vocalist, composer, and guitarist, introduced the poetic dimension of blues to Australian listeners. One of the originators of Chain, among the country’s most prominent blues ensembles, he has enjoyed parallel achievements working alone and supporting a wide array of performers that includes Bo Diddley, Champion Jack Dupree, Mick Taylor, Kristina Olsen, and Guitar Shorty.
A descendant of a Tasmanian bandleader, Manning lists Blind Blake, Robert Johnson, Doc Watson, and Celtic music among his formative influences. During 1967 he teamed with harmonica player and singer Matt Taylor in the short-lived Bay City Union. Once that group disbanded the following year, Manning and Taylor launched Chain.
Although the band’s first album, Live (1969), suggested their promise, the second release, Towards the Blues, elevated them to national prominence and received double gold certification. Additional momentum followed with Live Again in 1973 and Two of a Kind in 1974.
Manning began his solo trajectory in 1977, spotlighting his slide and fingerstyle guitar work on the album I Wish There Was a Way. He maintained an exclusive focus on individual projects for the next six years until forming the Oz Band in 1980 with keyboardist Bob Patient, harp player Howie Smallman, bassist Roy Daniels, and drummer Rick Whittle; the group’s debut, Oz Blues, once again paired Manning with Taylor.
Chain re-formed in 1983 to issue its fifth album, Child Of The Street. The reunion proved brief, and the members did not reconvene in the studio until 1999 for Mix Up The Oils. Manning meanwhile sustained his independent recording activity, delivering It’s Blues in 1988, Live At Stony Bridge in 1990, Can't Stop in 1992, The Back Shed in 1994, and Two Roads in 1998.
A descendant of a Tasmanian bandleader, Manning lists Blind Blake, Robert Johnson, Doc Watson, and Celtic music among his formative influences. During 1967 he teamed with harmonica player and singer Matt Taylor in the short-lived Bay City Union. Once that group disbanded the following year, Manning and Taylor launched Chain.
Although the band’s first album, Live (1969), suggested their promise, the second release, Towards the Blues, elevated them to national prominence and received double gold certification. Additional momentum followed with Live Again in 1973 and Two of a Kind in 1974.
Manning began his solo trajectory in 1977, spotlighting his slide and fingerstyle guitar work on the album I Wish There Was a Way. He maintained an exclusive focus on individual projects for the next six years until forming the Oz Band in 1980 with keyboardist Bob Patient, harp player Howie Smallman, bassist Roy Daniels, and drummer Rick Whittle; the group’s debut, Oz Blues, once again paired Manning with Taylor.
Chain re-formed in 1983 to issue its fifth album, Child Of The Street. The reunion proved brief, and the members did not reconvene in the studio until 1999 for Mix Up The Oils. Manning meanwhile sustained his independent recording activity, delivering It’s Blues in 1988, Live At Stony Bridge in 1990, Can't Stop in 1992, The Back Shed in 1994, and Two Roads in 1998.
Albums
Live
