A FOREIGN FIELD THAT IS FOREVER ENGLAND. LIVE ABROAD

This live collection is my first experience with AMAZING BLONDEL. Considering myself a sort of fan of acid-folk, folk-rock and prog folk, I had high expectations from these English lads. Unfortunately, more than an hour duration of this album proved to be a tough material for my ears. Playing traditional medieval music with authentic instruments is always challenging and the Blondel does it nicely. And too safely in my opinion. There is no much progression during the play; all songs are nice and gentle but I could almost not hear where one ends and another begins - like it is a one long song without ending... The sound is too linear, too flat and at times quite boring. Perhaps being there in audience was more adventurous than listening to this record and maybe a DVD would have been a better solution than this audio-only live album. I do not know other Blondel albums but this one is far away from any rock approach. No improvisation, no subtlety, no experiments, no energy, no progressive touches... just a plain safe neo-trad folk with pop leanings. Not my cup of tea.

PERSONAL RATING: 1,5/5

P.A. RATING: 2/5