Listen Now is the second album and debut studio album by 801, whose live debut was released in November 1976. For this release, the group was officially billed as “Phil Manzanera/801“.
In 1977, hoping to capitalise on the success of 801 Live, a revised version of 801 (now known as Phil Manzanera/801) recorded and released a studio album with additional collaborating musicians including Kevin Godley, Lol Creme, and Tim Finn of Split Enz. Only Phil Manzanera and Bill MacCormick remain important members of the band, while Francis Monkman, Simon Phillips and Eno are treated as sidekicks. Lloyd Watson left the project altogether. Vocal duties were shared by Simon Ainley and MacCormick.
The album was first rereleased on CD by EG Records without bonus tracks and in 2000 by Virgin with three tracks previously unavailable. The “Flight 19” b-side “Car Rhumba” was rereleased on the CD version of Phil Manzanera’s Diamond Head as “Carhumba”. One track, “Rude Awakening”, was a leftover from the original session, while the remaining two tracks (“Blue Gray Uniform” and “Remote Control”) are demos recorded at PLS studios. “Remote Control” was re-recorded and ended up on Manzanera’s 1978 album K-Scope.
Tracks
1 Listen Now (Bill MacCormick; Ian MacCormick; Phil Manzanera) 08:01
2 Flight 19 (Ian MacCormick; Phil Manzanera) 05:27
3 Island (Phil Manzanera) 05:12
4 Law And Order (Phil Manzanera) 04:08
5 Que & City Of Light (Phil Manzanera) 08:27
6 Initial Speed (Phil Manzanera) 04:50
7 Postcard Love (Bill MacCormick; Phil Manzanera) 04:23
8 That Falling Feeling (Ian MacCormick; Phil Manzanera) 05:08
Musicians
1 Listen Now
Bass | Bill MacCormack |
Drums | Dave Mattacks |
Guitar | Phil Manzanera |
Keyboards | Billy Livsey |
Sax | Mel Collins |
Percussion | Simon Phillips |
Percussion | Kevin Godley |
Vocals | Simon Ainley |
Background Vocals | Kevin Godley |
Background Vocals | Bill MacCormack |
2 Flight 19
Bass | Bill MacCormack |
Drums | Simon Phillips |
Guitar | Phil Manzanera |
Guitar | Brian Eno |
Synthesizer | Eddie Jobson |
Percussion | Simon Phillips |
Vocals | Simon Ainley |
Background Vocals | Tim Finn |
Background Vocals | Kevin Godley |
Background Vocals | Lol Creme |
3 Island
Bass | Bill MacCormack |
Drums | Simon Phillips |
Guitar | Phil Manzanera |
Piano | Eddie Jobson |
Synthesizer | Brian Eno |
4 Law And Order
Bass | Bill MacCormack |
Drums | Dave Mattacks |
Guitar | Phil Manzanera |
Clavinet | Billy Livsey |
Hammond Organ | Phil Manzanera |
Piano | Billy Livsey |
Tuba | John White |
Background Vocals | Alan Lee |
Vocals | Simon Ainley |
5 Que & City Of Light
Bass | Bill MacCormack |
Drums | Simon Phillips |
Drums | Dave Mattacks |
Guitar | Phil Manzanera |
Piano | Phil Manzanera |
Harmonica | Ian MacCormick |
Vocals | Simon Ainley |
6 Initial Speed
Bass | Bill MacCormack |
Drums | Simon Phillips |
Guitar | Phil Manzanera |
Piano | Francis Monkman |
Synthesizer | Francis Monkman |
Sax | Mel Collins |
Voice | Kevin Godley |
Voice | Lol Creme |
7 Postcard Love
Bass | Bill MacCormack |
Guitar | Phil Manzanera |
Piano | Eddie Jobson |
Synthesizer | Brian Eno |
Vocals | Simon Ainley |
8 That Falling Feeling
Bass | Bill MacCormack |
Drums | Simon Phillips |
Guitar | Phil Manzanera |
Piano | Eddie Rayner |
Synthesizer | Brian Eno |
Vocals | Simon Ainley |
Voice | Kevin Godley |
Background Vocals | Tim Finn |
Liner Notes
Producer – Phil Manzanera
Engineer – Rhett Davies
Engineer (Recording) – Martin Lawrence
Artwork – Cream
Design – Philip Castle
Recorded At Basing Street Studios
Recorded At The Manor