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Pallas - The River Sessions 1 CD (album) cover

THE RIVER SESSIONS 1

Pallas

 

Neo-Prog

3.16 | 22 ratings

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Gatot
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
4 stars Pallas was one of not so many prog bands that satnd out during tough period in prog history due to strong waves of punk and new wave which swept music industry in the early eighties. Look at the date; this album was recorded live at Nightmoves 29/03/82 was about the period of punk. At the time there were other bands that struggled with prog flag: Marillion, IQ and Pendragon. Marillion was releasing their EP "Market Square Heroes" before releasing full length album "Script For A Jester's Tear" in 1983. So I can consider that The River Session is basically a heroic live set by Pallas who struggled for life during the demise of prog music.

This set is part 1 of 2 live CD under "The River Sessions" in which Part 2 was recorded two years later 16/05/85. The first part featured Pallas early days lead vocalist Euan Lawson. Even though the sound quality is like a bootleg recording, but I really enjoy this live set especially with the band's performance that really rocked and also the live vibes. The opening track "Queen of The Deep" shows early Genesis kind of music with theatrical lead vocalist Euan. Keyboards by Ronnie Brown forms main foundation where the song is based on, enriched with stunning guitar work by Niall Mathewson and bass guitar by Graeme Murray. Derek Forman on drums. This line-up seems solid in delivering their excellent performance. The following track is title that was familiar at the time "Arrive Alive" which is performed flawlessly by the band. Again, I like the guitar work and how Euan delivers his voice - a bit of Gabrielish, I think. "Crown of Thorns" shows tight bass lines by Graeme with relatively long guitar solo by Niall. The last track "The Ripper 5 A Bit of Culture" is an excellent one. Niall guitar work really rock! Euan theatrical performance is excellent.

Around the time of this gig at Nightmoves in Glasgow the band's first interview with Malcolm Dome of Kerrang was completed. "One Swallow, my friends does NOT make a musical movement. But it seems, according to some, that we are now in the throes of a new era of British progressive rock (the birth of NEOBPR?) - a fact primaly based on the emergence of a certain Aylesbury quintet. Marillion aside, the sole ray of sunshine on the horizon is Aberdonian five piece Pallas, ..". [excerpted from the CD sleeve].

It's definitely an excellent live set for those who really want to trace back the prog history. The recording quality is bad - but who cares? The main reason to have this CD is not to have excellent sound quality but look at how it was - during the birth of what later so called as neo progressive rock. Get it man! Keep on proggin' ..!

Credit: Thanks to Tatan Taufik, my progmate who loaned me this CD.

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

Gatot | 4/5 |

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