Venue: T J O'Reilleys                        Date: 07th October 2006

Set List: Shadows of Fate; From Ignorance to Ecstasy; The Eleventh Hour; Mea Culpa; Haunted; Closer

Caamora is a new project centred around Clive Nolan (Arena, Pendragon) and Polish born singer Agneiszka Swita. In due course it is intended to produce a full stage show, with Orchestra and Choir, but for now the intent is really to spread the word and start simply with a number of two person shows in order to set the scene for what is to follow.

The show on Saturday night was the first outing for the duo, and they took to the stage in front of a respectable audience as support slot to mainline act Jump.  With Clive seated behind a single keyboard, not a sight I am accustomed to, and Agneiszka standing to stage left, I was a little unsure initially how this was going to turn out but any worries I may have had soon disappeared.

The opening number was 'Shadows of Fate' delivered with a fiery intensity that quickly established without any doubt at all Agneiszka's credentials as a vocalist.  There was the promise of power in that voice, but it was tempered with the ability to inject feeling and softness where necessary. Clive's piano work was masterful, delivered with the commensurate skill that I have come to expect from this familiar progressive icon.

Next up was 'From Ignorance to Ecstasy' which originally appeared on the Tracey Hitchings album of the same name. Again the vocal delivery was spot on, and the feeling was clear to behold - when Agneiszka delivers the line promising to take the listener 'from ignorance to ecstasy' I could only smile with a sense of willing belief - I was certain at that moment that she could!

Having played two older numbers Clive gave a short introduction to the next piece, 'The Eleventh Hour', which is a track taken from the forthcoming stage production of the novel 'She' that Caamora are working towards.  This piece takes the form of a duet, again with keyboard accompaniment, during which both parties delivered their parts brilliantly.  This was quite a compelling piece and their was a dynamism between the two protagonists that really caught me up in the moment - as a taste of what is to come this was very promising indeed.

The fourth track to be performed was the Arena song 'Mea Culpa', which appeared on the 'Contagion' album. It was interesting to hear a such a familiar piece delivered in such a different style with a female singer. Personally I was suprised to find that in some ways I actually preferred this treatment as it seemed to put a different emphasis on the song, and while I accept that Caamora's main aim must be to generate new and original material, I for one would dearly love to hear some more re-workings of Arena pieces!

The set was rounded off with two further original pieces, first came 'Haunted', a piece specifically written for this series of shows (I believe), and then 'Closer', which is to be the title track of a forthcoming EP (which sadly was not available in time for this show but which should be released in the next few days).  The performance of both these pieces was very strong and the appeal of was immediate, to such an extent that once the applause subsided I was left with the feeling that I wanted to hear more.

As a whole the set was well received by the audience, the majority of who I have to say were there to see Jump.  The music contained a mixture of moods and emotions with love, passion and even humor to be found within.

All in all I think that this show heralds a promising start for Caamora who quite frankly came across as an act that have been playing together for years (not suprising when you consider Mr. Nolans back ground).

If you get a chance to check them out do go along and see the show, it's well worth the effort and if Caamora live up to their early promise what could be better than to know you were there where it all started!

Simon - 8th October 2006