CONCERTO MAXIMO

"Concerto Maximo" is a live album of Pendragon and that was released in 2009. It was released based on a live show recorded at Theater Slaski IM. Stanislawa Wyspianskiego, in Katowice in Poland, when the band made their "Pure Live Tour" in 13 October 2008. The "The Pure Live Tour" comprised many other places. So, in September they made two concerts on Riff's UK Pure Launch Weekender. In October, beyond this live concert in Katowice in Poland they played live in Verviers in Belgium, Zoetermeer in Holland, Bielefeld, Reichenbach, Munich, Aschafenburg and Oberhausen all in Germany, Poznan, Gdansk, Bydogoscz, Warsaw, Krakow and Biala all in Poland, Prague in Czech Republic, Milan and Rome in Italy, Lyon, Paris, Bordeaux and Strasbourg all in France, Pratteln in Switzerland, Barcelona and Madrid in Spain and Lisbon in Portugal. In November they played three more live concerts in UK in Wath, Bilston and London.

The line up on "Concerto Maximo" is Nick Barrett (vocals and guitars), Clive Nolan (backing vocals and keyboards), Peter Gee (backing vocals, guitar, bass and bass pedals) and Scott Higham (backing vocals and drums). As you can see, this isn't more the classic line up of the group. Scott Higham substituted Fudge Smith on the drums. So, "Concerto Maximo" became the first live album of the band with the presence of Scott Higham. The Scott Higham style is more close to what is usually used by the heavy metal bands. The final result of all this is that on "Concerto Maximo" the sound of Pendragon became definitely more dynamic, powerful, modern and probably more progressive than ever.

"Concerto Maximo" has seventeen tracks. The first track "The Walls Of Babylon" was released on "The Window Of Life". The second track "A Man Of Nomadic Traits" was released on "Not Of This World". The third track "The Wishing Well" was released on "Believe". The fourth track "Eraserhead" was released on "Pure". The fifth track "Total Recall" was released on "Kowtow". The sixth track "Nostradamus (Stargazing)" was released on "The Window Of Life". The seventh track "Learning Curve" was released on "Believe". The eighth track "Breaking The Spell" was released on "The Window Of Life". The ninth track "Sister Bluebird" was released on "Fallen Dreams And Angels", a leftover from "The Window Of Life" sessions. The tenth track "The Shadow" was released on "The Masquerade Overture". The eleventh track "The Freak Show" was released on "Pure". The twelfth track "The Voyager" was released on "The World". The thirteenth track "It's Only Me" was released on "Pure". The fourteenth track "Masters Of Illusion" was released on "The Masquerade Overture". The fifteenth track "The King Of The Castle" was released on "The Masquerade Overture" as a bonus track named "The King Of The Castle (The Shadow Part 2)". The sixteenth track "And We'll Go Hunting Deer" was released on "The World". The seventeenth track "Queen Of Hearts" was released on "The World".

The consistently same structure of the songs, quiet beginning, slow build-up of tension and bombastic finale, may disturb the neutral observer, but certainly not the fans that have been loyal to Pendragon for so many years. And the audience in the Wyspianskiego Theater is correspondingly enthusiastic, in a way you don't see frequently. There's clapping, bobbing and singing along, which is a joy to all their fans. The set list offers a good overview of Pendragon's entire career. "The Walls Of Babylon" is a great way to start the concert as the audience is clearly engaged right from the start. Barrett and Nolan's synchronous riffs at the beginning start the song with a flourish and the chorus is irresistible. The lovely "Man Of Nomadic Traits" with its haunting melody has always been a favourite of mine and this live version is no different. Barrett's vocals and guitar picking are very good and Higham absolutely shines on drums. The dynamic "The Wishing Well" is an epic piece that combines the best that Pendragon has to offer. From heavy to pastoral atmospheres this song has it all. "Eraserhead" sees the band firing with all cylinders. This time its Nolan's turn to shine and Higham's use of cymbals is very nice. Other highlights include "Sister Bluebird", "Breaking The Spell", "We'll Go Hunting Deer" and a masterful rendition of "Queen Of Hearts", which is a fine way to end this great concert.

Conclusion: Finally Pendragon did it. Finally they made a true live masterpiece. Forget all about you heard about "9:15 Live", "Utrecht?The Final Frontier" and "Live In Krakow 1996". In spite of "9:15 Live" is really a good live album and "Utrecht?The Final Frontier" and "Live In Krakow 1996" are excellent live albums, "Concerto Maximo" is another thing. The band practically revisited their entire musical career with songs from almost all their studio albums. Besides, we have here a true live album with a very extensive concert. Finally, the band played live with energy and dynamism that we had never heard before. Sincerely, I'm firmly convinced that the presence of their new drummer makes all the difference. If Pendragon keeps in this high level, the older better, we have band for many more years. "Concerto Maximo" is a great Pendragon's concert full services for all fans and, yes, somehow the statement of a likeable band.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)

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