THUNDERSTRUCK

For some reason, Landmarq have never really been one of the most fashionable of UK prog bands and I have never understood why that is. They have some great songs, and certainly can play well enough. Their debut album, 'Solitary Witness' was one of the best albums ever to come out on the Dutch SI label, and apart from Damian Wilson joining, leaving, joining and then leaving again, the line-up has been the same since inception. I first saw Tracy Hitching sing with the band at The Standard some years ago, when she and Clive Nolan joined them on-stage for the encore (the sight of Clive having to read the lyrics he had written from a CD booklet will always be with me), now she is back and she gives the music a different edge to when either Damian or Moon were at the front. I firmly believe that Tracy is one of the best female rock vocalists to come out of the UK (check out her solo album 'From Ignorance To Ecstasy'), and she gives the music just the right amount of lightness and balance. The result is that whether there is a full out barrage of music, or just gentle keyboards, the vocals are perfectly matched.

This is a great live album, one that showcases the bands' many talents and I am sure that it will win them a lot of new friends, as well as satisfying lots of old ones.