THIS IS WHAT WE DO - LIVE IN POLAND (DVD)

And with those words by way of introduction, Credo launch into an evening presenting their own brand of melodic neo-prog. Like so many great gigs these days, this set was filmed in Katowice, Poland in October 2008. The residents of that town and its environs are surely among the most spoilt prog fans in the world at present, thanks in no small part to some enterprising ventures by the Poland based label Metal Mind Productions.

Despite Credo's long history, they have only released two official albums, "Field of vision" in 1994 and "Rhetoric" in 2005. The latter album is featured in full here, although the tracks appear in a completely different order. Lead singer Mark Colton announces that this will be the last time the album is played in full on stage. Five tracks from the first album are also included, four of which form an extended medley (played for the first time in this way) at the core of the gig. The set is rounded off by a song earmarked for the next album with the working title of "Round and round". This means a running time for the gig of around an hour and three quarters.

Credo's music relies on lush keyboard waves, melodious lead guitar and the distinctive vocals of Colton. He may at times come across as a little like Fish without the face-paint, but any similarities with the music of Marillion are fleeting. Credo have carefully forged their own identify which comes through in a performance of full of maturity and attention to detail.

The filming of the gig is of the high calibre of other gigs filmed by the same production team. I did find though that there was a tendency to overlook the contribution made by bassist Jim Murdoch even on "A kindness", a song deemed to feature him, and keyboard player Mike Varty. The use of a remote control camera which runs back and forward across the front of the stage affords great shots of the band without being intrusive for the live audience. Talking of that audience, the Poles who were privileged to be there are appreciative and polite without ever being over enthusiastic. Colton's attempts at conversing with them or relating stories surrounding the songs largely fall flat due to the language barrier, but he takes this in his stride.

The DVD includes an informative interview with Colton and Varty, who describe the history of the band in detail. Also included are videos of the rehearsals for the gig and a sort of travelogue filmed on a hand held camcorder. Further, two videos of the band performing live at Progfest UK in 1999 and one of them at Summer's End in 2006 are also added. While these are described as bootlegs, which they are in as much as they are filmed from the audience, it seems they were probably done with the knowledge and agreement of the band, since Credo also appear in backstage footage.

An audio only segment is added, which contains the band's first (cassette only) EP release from 1992 plus a live performance from Leeds, UK in 1998.

In all, a well put together package which offers a fine overview of what Credo do.

Share this CREDO review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to Easy Livin
• Report this review (#222580)
• Buy CREDO music online with PA partners
• Show all CREDO MP3/Stream
• Go to CREDO page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to This Is What We Do - Live in Poland (DVD) page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for CREDO related discussions