LIVE IN MEXICO '99

At this time of their career, Quidam only released two studio albums prior to their appearance at one of the most famous prog conference in Latin America (if not THE famous one). It all started in 1997 and it has taken place every single year till now.

Emila is even speaking some fine Spanish and interact nicely with the audience.

The band presented three songs from their debut album: the folkish "Gteboka Rzeka" which reminds me of the great Tull, the very melodic "Chocbym" with its very good vocal performance during the closing part, and the wonderful and fully symphonic "Sanktuarium" (which features a short passage from "Firth Of Fifth" from whom you should know. A part of the fabulous guitar break to be complete).

There is also a "medley" which includes "Niespelnienie" one of their best pieces of this superb debut album. All these songs are well rendered and are not very different from their studio counterparts. But I guess that there is nothing wrong with this.

There are also three songs from "Angels Dreams": the shortest ones here. "Awakening" starts the show in a very quite and pastoral mood. Not a dynamic intro to say the least. "There Is Such a Lonesome House" featuring a fine guitar solo and "Angels of Mine" completes the set (it includes a cover of a traditional Mexican song: "La Cucaracha" which serves as background for the band introduction).

I have to say that these songs don't belong to the best ones from their second album. If only they had played their famous epic "Behind My Eyes".

Since it was a bit short for their live set, the band played two cover songs. While the Camel "Rayader" combo fits their style very well, I can't say the same about "Child In Time". Yes, THE Purple anthem (with a few other ones.).

This version is of course much "lighter" than its glorious model. Flute replacing the keyboard intro (which is fine so far but hardly recognizable) but also the huge and wild guitar solo. Not a very good idea IMO even if Emila is performing quite well during her vocal part. The grandiose and Dantesque finale is emasculated as well. What a treat!

This album falls short of the four star rating, mainly due to the average choice of tracks from their second work and the bizarre rendition of "Child" which is hardly recognizable during the instrumental parts.