Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. How Far Jerusalem
2. Just Like An Arrow
3. On A Storytellers Night
4. Before First Light
5. Les Mort Dansant
6. Endless Love
7. Two Hearts
8. Steal Your Heart
9. All England's Eyes
10. Last Dance

Disc 2:

1. Interview
2. All England's Eyes
3. How Far Jerusalem
4. Last Dance
5. Come On Young Love
6. Before First Light
7. Les Morts Dansant
8. Endless Love

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4637 in Music
• Released on: 2008-02-26
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Box set

Customer Reviews

All England's Ears!!!
There are certain albums that every self respecting fan of British rock should own and this is one of them.
Magnum rose like a phoenix from the flames after being dumped by their record label, Jet following the disappointing response to 1983's 'The Eleventh Hour'. Drummer Kex Gorin had left the band, keyboardist Mark Stanway looked all set to join Phil Lynott's Grand Slam project and vocalist Bob Catley was looking for alternative work, fearing Magnum was at an end.
However, guitarist/songsmith Tony Clarkin had other ideas and brought both Catley and Stanway back to the fold, whilst recruiting future UFO drummer Jim Simpson. The group signed a deal with independent label FM, entered the studio with producer Kit Woolven and recorded this masterpiece.
'On A Storyteller's Night' is the bands second masterwork after 1982's successful 'Chase The Dragon', and what Tony Clarkin manages to do on this album is marry the 'medievally cloaked' feel of the aforementioned 'Chase...' with a more streamlined, accessible rock approach, thus pleasing hard core Magnumaniacs and winning over new fans, as it got the band some much needed chart respectability reaching number 24 at the time. A sellout tour, and an appearance at Donington would follow, proving that you can't keep a good band down. In fact the success of 'Storyteller...' would ultimately lead to a lucrative deal with Polydor.
Opening track 'How Far Jerusalem' is a true classic in every sense of the word. It's very traditional Magnum fare in terms of it's atmosphere and mood, but with a big pomp chorus, gives an indicator of what the listener has to look forward to on this record. It's very much a fan's favourite and continues to be a perennial live track with lots of improv in the middle section.
'Just Like An Arrow' is toe tapping commercial rock at it's finest. It's a feelgood song played with bags of enthusiasm, with a chorus hook that won't let go.
The title track comes next, and like 'How Far Jerusalem' is a fan's favourite. Again, the mood is reminiscent of early Magnum, but with another of those barnstorming choruses.
'Before First Light' is a solid rocker, with some great guitar from Clarkin and 'Les Morts Dansant' is yet another showstopper with thought provoking subject matter and another big chorus, beautifully sung by Bob Catley. Sublime stuff.
The second 'side' of 'On A Storytellers Night' is arguably not as strong as the first, but still has some top tracks on offer.
'Endless Love' is a good slice of 'chugga chugga' rock with a good riff and a steady rhythm.
'Two Hearts' is a very underrated track with Tony Clarkin's guitar once again the driving force behind the number.
'Steal Your Heart' is probably the weakest track on the album. Just a touch too cheesy for me.
'All England's Eyes' brings things back with a good dose of riffy rock and a tongue in cheek lyric.
Album closer 'The Last Dance' like 'The Light's Burned Out' on the 'Chase The Dragon' album is a nice low key finale to what is a quite breathtaking album.
I can't think of another British rock album with so many memorable tunes and choruses, played with so much energy. The band seem to be enjoying themselves on every track and the indivivdual performances from each member are truly terrific, especially messrs Catley and Clarkin.
The cover artwork is somewhat iconic, and has to be one of Rodney Matthews most popular paintings.
This remastered 20th Anniversary package once again comes complete with bonus cd and great sleevenotes. It's about time Polydor Records got their act together and did something special with 'Vigilante', 'Wings Of Heaven' and 'Goodnight L.A.', because there's a bit of renewed interest in Magnum at the moment and an army of fans only too willing to roll back the years.
'On A Storyteller's Night' kick started Magnum's career once again, and in some style.
What an album. An absolute must, not just for fans of eighties rock, but for fans of quality rock full stop.

From the definitive era of Magnum
On A Storyteller's Night, Vigilante and Wings Of Heaven - the three Magnum albums you really must own. It's hard to say which is best, they're all excellent. Wings Of Heaven just edges it for me but it's a very close run thing. 5 stars the lot of 'em.

A very under-rated Band and Album
This Band for some reason never really made it big time although the song writing delivery and Live performances should have more than secured this.

This Album in my opinion is where the Band peaked with every Song on the album individually very good where previous ventures usually only delivered a few standout tracks and rest faded into the usual also rans.

The Opening song - How Far Jerusalem is the stand out track on the Album a great opening track. I am not going to go through all the songs as they speak for themselves.The Album is very gritty and has a fine balance of keyboards and guitars with very strong songs and great vocal delivery.

The follow on Album Vigilante despite in many eyes being the bands best and commercially successful did not have the strength and breadth of songs of this Album.

The Only low point for me is the cover as a Pixies dinner party does not really setthe scene for the Rock Music contained within.

If you've not heard Magnum before this is the starting point and if you like good Rock Music- Not too Heavy but well delivered songs this is for you!.