LA2, London

11/06/99

LA2, London

03/12/99

Zeche Carl, Essen, Germany

14/11/01

Venue: LA2, London                           Date: 11th June 1999

Setlist: Nostradamus; Higher Circles; Walls Of Babylon; Kowtow; The Shadow; Last Man On Earth; Circus; The Voyager; Stan & Ollie; The Mask; Masters Of Illusion; Red Shoes; Am I Really Losing You?

I count myself as being very fortunate to have been invited down, to Nick Barrett's house, to experience, first hand, the final Pendragon rehearsal session the day before the LA2 gig.  Despite the fact that I had the last three studio albums already in my collection I was, nonetheless, unsure of quite what to expect.  Pendragon have been around a long time but had not played a live UK date in the last three years.  Well, I need not have worried!  The band played through the entire proposed set with spirit and enthusiasm and which left me eagerly awaiting more...

We (the New Horizons team) met the band early afternoon, outside the venue, and got a taste of the life of the roadcrew - helping get all the equipment into the hall and doing what little we could to help set up.  I take my hat off to the regular road crew .... they work damn hard and do not get the public recognition they deserve!

After an excellent support set from Martin Orford and Gary Chandler (a separate review of this set will be posted soon), Pendragon took to the stage at around 20:30 for a set that lasted about 1 hr 40.  After the intro tape had finished the band seemed to burst on the stage and launched right into the opening track, 'Nostradamus' from the 'Window of Life' CD. This is a very up-tempo number that very quickly had the near capacity crowd on its toes. Peter Gee on bass seemed to be in his element and it was a joy to watch the man on stage.  Next came an old number from 'The Jewel' as the band effortlessly strolled through 'Higher Circles'.  After this came another track from 'Window of Life' in the shape of 'Walls of Babylon' - this is one of my personal favourites, a feeling shared by many of those around me who were singing along to the chorus.

"Is there anyone here that used to go to the old Marquee?" Nick enquired in the break between songs, the answer was a deafening "YES", "It were good weren't it?!" responded Nick in a mock northern accent - the years seemed to melt away, the magic was still there... the boys were back and the crowd were lapping it up! The set continued with a series of songs spanning a variety of albums: 'Kowtow' (from the Kowtow album); 'The Shadow' (Masquerade Overture); 'Last Man on Earth' (Window of life); 'Circus' (The Jewel). Then Nick swapped his electric guitar for an acoustic indicating the next track was to be 'The Voyager' (from 'The World'). I was really pleased to see the following number - a very rare outing for a track I had not seen performed since the Marquee years - 'Stan and Ollie'.  Then came the penultimate song, another stompalong, in the form of 'The Mask' which really got the crowd moving. The last song from the main part of the set was 'Masters of Illusion' (Masquearde Overture), this is one of the more epic songs the band played, with lots of mood changes, full of atmospheric guitar and keyboard sounds and perfectly performed throughout.

Due to the fact the LA2 has to empty quickly, to make way for a night club, the encore was limited to two numbers. Special note should be made of 'Red Shoes' as Clive Nolan was able to leave the confines of his static keyboards and take to the front of the stage by making use of a portable.  Like Peter Gee, Clive was clearly having a great time coming out front and being able to really perform for the audience - and yes, Clive, we did see the rock star posing (arm outstretched and finger pointing) and it was great!  This was followed by a near perfect performance of 'Am I Really Losing You' (Window of Life). Nick's vocals and slide guitar were spot on, with excellent support from Pete on bass and Clive on keyboards - a great number to finish with, and one that kept running around my head during the long trip home.

There is one man however who has escaped mention so far in the review but who should not be forgotten about. The drummer 'Fudge' played an impeccable set; his timing was right on the nail throughout the set and, like the rest of the band, he conveyed a sense of real enjoyment for the task to hand.

Despite the fact the sound mix in places was too heavy on the bass, this does not reflect against the band's ability to come up with the goods.  I have to be honest and say I have always held Pendragon in the highest regard. This was a really great gig and one I am glad I did not miss! Well done, Nick and the lads - please don't leave it so long next time!

Simon

Venue: LA2, London                           Date: 03/12/1999

Setlist: Higher Circles; Paintbox; Alaska; Guardian of my Soul; Hunting Deer; The Shadow; The Voyager; Last Man on Earth; The Mask; Masters of Illusion; Nostradamus; Red Shoes; Am I really Losing You.

Although it's only six months since Pendragon last played at the LA2, having just returned form playing some very successful South American dates, they were back for what was to be their last public performance of the Nineties (I'm keeping well away from the Millennium debate here!).

I arrived at the venue early in the afternoon to help move equipment onto the stage and get things set up, one consequence of which was that I was able to enjoy the sound checks - during which it was great to see Fudge Smith so clearly enjoying his drumming. Another benefit was that I also had an early preview of the set list. Despite the fact that the set still did not feature any new material, there was sufficient deviation from the last show to make this a night to remember! I was particularly pleased to learn that some of the material from 'Masquerade Overture', which I had not seen performed live before, was to be included.

The show kicked off promptly at 20:30 and, due to a curfew imposed by the venue, it had to finish at 22:30 hours.  Faced with this immovable deadline it was straight down to business and what proved to be a very full, and tightly scheduled, set opened with the very bouncy 'Higher Circles', which quickly got the crowd fired up.  The set then included four tracks which had not been played at the band's previous LA2 show, the first of these being 'Paintbox' from 'Masquerade Overture'.  It was a real pleasure to hear this performed live and both Clive Nolan's keyboard playing and Nick Barrett's guitar work were stunning throughout.

As the opening chords of 'Alaska' (from 'The Jewel') played out, my mind was thrown back to the first time I saw Pendragon, at the Pennyfarthing pub in Oxford in the early eighties.  This is initially a much slower song, with a great melodies and a very full keyboard sound, with the pace picking up as the song progresses.  For anyone else who saw Pendragon in the early years I think I can safely say that this one has lost none of it's appeal. To emphasise this point, one long standing fan commented afterwards that the set should perhaps have finished with this blast from the past!

However the set continued, by bringing us back up to date, with another superb song from 'Masquerade Overture' in the shape of 'Guardian of My Soul'. The song is probably my favourite from the album and is full of direction changes and beautiful use of musical harmonies.  I always find this a very moving song to listen to, and on stage the impact was perhaps even greater as the band seemed to glide effortlessly through the performance.

Another departure from the previous show came next with an unplugged segment performed by Peter Gee and Nick Barrett on acoustic guitars. Starting with 'Hunting Deer' (during which Fudge and Clive departed from the stage), followed by 'The Shadow' (featuring Clive on backing vocals) and finally 'The Voyager' which began in the same fashion - but by the end of the song both Clive and Fudge were back in full flight to finish the track in rousing style.

From this point we were back on fairly familiar territory with a series of great songs all of which had featured in the June show.  Starting with one of my all time favourite Pendragon tracks 'Last Man on Earth' from the album 'Window of Life - see our CD review - which, incidentally, has startling musical similarities to the Moody Blues' track 'New Horizons' (from which we take our name). The next couple of numbers were guaranteed to get the crowd moving - first an excellent version of 'The Mask', and following hard on it's heels 'Walls of Babylon' with some punchy bass work from Peter Gee and more of Mr. Nolan's inspiring keyboard work. The final song for the main part of the set was 'Masters of Illusion', the closing track of 'Masquerade Overture', which kept things moving along at a swift and energetic pace.

The band came back for two encores before running out of time. The first featured the track 'Nostradamus' (Window of Life) while the final encore consisted of two numbers - 'Red Shoes' and the haunting 'Am I Really Losing You' - which unfortunately I missed as I had to take station on the merchandising stall.

The audience response through the whole evening was tremendous and the band's enthusiasm for their work was evident.  Pendragon have proved they still have what it takes to perform powerful and emotive music and I cannot wait to see what the New Year will bring in terms of further live performances and that longed for new album!

Simon

Venue: Zeche Carl, Essen, Germany              Date: 14.11.01

Set list: The Masquerade Overture, Walls of Babylon, Good as Gold, Dance of the Seven Veils, ...A Man Could Die Out Here, The Last Waltz, And We Go Hunting Deer (acoustic), The Voyager (acoustic), Not of this World, Paintbox, A Man of Nomadic Traits, Masters of Illusion + encore.

It had been far too long since Pendragon last played the German shores, and when I spotted on the New Horizons' gig list that this was about to change, I quickly got my ticket and anticipated Pendragons gig in Essen eagerly. I was a bit unlucky as this was their last gig without support from the magnificent Martin Orford and Gary Chandler, who joined the band the very next day for their performance in Berlin. But neither this nor the fact that the immensely important world cup qualifier between Germany and the Ukraine was taking place on the same night could prevent me from seeing Pendragon...

When I got there, I noticed a small pub / restaurant belonging to the Zeche Carl club and inside saw Clive Nolan having a drink. I asked him for an autograph - which he wrote on the back of my ticket and he pointed out the other guys, who were sitting in a corner.  I could not let this opportunity pass by and asked them for their autographs too - they all agreed, and we even had a brief chat.  I am always amazed at how friendly prog musicians are; over the years I have spoken to members of IQ, Jadis, Arena and the John Wetton band - and Pendragon are no exception. They really seem to care about their fans, are in no way pretentious, and I am really grateful for special moments like these.

Pendragon were supposed to take to the stage at 8pm, but it took exactly one hour longer for them to start the evening, but at least my neighbour had a mobile and could keep me up to date with the football match! Germany was already 3:0 up when the lights went out. 'The Masquerade Overture' coming from tape prepared us for what was about to happen: Nick, Clive, Pete and Fudge began the set with 'Walls of Babylon', the first track I had ever heard from Pendragon and which had turned me into an instant fan some years ago. There were some sound problems (especially the bass was far too loud), but these things happen and the sound improved gradually as the evening went on.

'Good as Gold' followed, and Pete incited the audience into a good clapping mood.  This one is always a fun piece and gets the crowd going.  It was probably this song which inspired some fans to throw chocolate money on stage - Nick was amused and assumed that this was supposed to be their payment for the night. As always, he seemed to enjoy some communication with the crowd, joking around with a guy who was obviously a bit tipsy, which prompted some laughter.

The first new song of the night was a very personal one, which Nick announced as a piece about Betrug (betrayal): 'Dance of the Seven Veils'.  It sounded just wonderful, and the audience was so impressed that the applause after this song did not seem to end. Then several songs from the ground breaking album 'The World' followed. Last time I saw Pendragon they did not play 'Queen of Hearts', but this time I was happy to be treated to parts II and III of this great epic.  The fan who had shouted for it two years ago at the LA2 in London would have loved to be here tonight...

Pendragon always include a short acoustic session in their gigs. Nick announced that they varied the respective songs for each night, tonight they had chosen 'And We Go Hunting Deer' and 'The Voyager'. Unfortunately, the keyboards were hardly audible - obviously another slight sound problem - but the strength of these songs made up for that, even if 'The Voyager' always sounds a bit more magnificent in the "plugged" version.

Then the centrepiece and title track of the new album, 'Not of this World'.  Clive went wild on his keyboards and looked like a genuine wizard in his long black cloak. Fudge looked completely relaxed as he played the intricate drum rhythms with a big smile on his face.  Pete's bass work was magnificent and Nick gave his very best. This song is simply amazing, full of all kinds of emotions: aggression, hope, melancholy - a masterpiece which may well be their best song to date. Afterwards the audience cheered like mad and the band truly deserved it.

But it got even better... Personally, 'Paintbox' is my favourite song, and I had not expected Pendragon to play it tonight, as it did not occur in the acoustic session. I was almost paralysed by its beauty.  Bass, keyboard and guitar all have prominent parts, and they harmonise so well with one another that the mixture becomes an incredible sound experience out of this world.  I was speechless by this act of artistry.  Thank you.

Another new song followed, the fabulous 'A Man of Nomadic Traits'. This is particularly noteworthy as the realisation of the amazing instrumental section lived up to the high studio standards, a feat not accomplished by a lot of bands.

'Masters of Illusion' rounded the evening off, and unfortunately, it had to be the last track for me as I had to catch the underground. I had to miss the encores because of the huge delay in starting off the show...

But that was pretty much the only sad point about this memorable night, and to those who have not seen Pendragon yet, take the opportunity if you can.  To say that it is worth it would be the understatement of the year: Pendragon live is essential viewing for anyone interested in high quality music, and I can hardly wait see them again. BTW, Germany won their match 4:1, but after this show this was hardly important.

Oliver Traxel