A selection of original pieces inspired by the world around me and the energy present in all places and all things.
As always, I thank my wonderful other half for the inspiration, support and amazing album art.
The first song's for you honey x
I hope this album gives you as much joy as writing it gave me.
A work of 16 pieces influenced by the Brandon Sanderson trilogy of the same name.
John grew up in Formby, a leafy coastal town close to Liverpool.
Son of the late Liverpool guitar virtuoso, Colin Manley, John started playing guitar at a very early age. He remembers vividly asking his Dad to show him the theme to James Bond.
After forming (and leaving) several bands in his teens, John found his strength was writing music and progressed onto the piano.
Mostly self taught on piano, with a few impromptu lessons from old friend, Tony Ashton, John bought a Fostex 4 track tape recorder and started to record... Luckily those tapes remain missing to this day.
It wasn't until the enforced lockdown in 2020 that John could take time from his day job and start his next musical journey, this time with a damn sight more perseverance and experience.
'The Mistborn Suite' was composed following a feverish read of the Brandon Sanderson trilogy. If these books were committed to film, what would the soundtrack be? I attempted to answer.
'Little Movies' followed soon after, in part due to an enormous amount of tracks unsuitable for the previous album.
'VI' was composed with no plan, a series of pieces inspired by John's thoughts.
'The Music of Elantris', a semi-follow up to 'The Mistborn Suite' was composed over 12 months and is John's most complex work to date.
As of May 2023, John is working on a new project with a very familiar theme.. Watch this space.
John lives near York in the UK with his other half, their four children and two cats.