VIEW FROM ABOVE

I knew the band when I chased a lot of IQ albums in mid nineties and found JADIS because I would say that this band was half-IQ as two out of its four members were also active members of IQ, i.e. John Jowitt (bass) and Martin Orford (keys). I got this DVD last year by accident when I happened to visit one of DVD stores in Jakarta and purchased it immediately. It's not a regret at all because this DVD represents the band's energetic performance especially through the act of the mastermind Gary Chandler who played guitar and also as lead singer and also John Jowitt. Gary delivered his guitar playing style with stunning solo dynamically on stage. He seemed like the commander of the show because almost all tracks played were led by guitar work (and also vocal). Jadis music has been categorized under neo prog which I think it's another side of neo if you still wish categorize it that way. Why? Because I rarely find any Jadis songs with great melody. Most of their compositions are guitar/keyboard packed music with relatively flat vocal melody. That's why I have never paid detail attention to the band's albums even though I have some 6 or 7 of their albums.

Beside Gary who became the attraction point, I also enjoy the performance of John Jowitt on stage. He used 6-string (I think) bass guitar and he produced excellent and solid bass lines. I really enjoy the bass sounds produced through this live reacrt - neat and crispy. Martin Orford played really well and he sometimes performed backing vocals as well.

I find that after track four this DVD is becoming a bit boring even though I still consider that this is a good live record, but not essential. Keep on proggin' ..!

Progressively yours,

GW

This DVD was suggested to me by a usually reliable friend. I enjoy watching bands as I'm fascinated how others play and what they sound like live.

Perhaps I should have purchased an album or tried to hear something by Jadis but, having had a good history of selecting off advice, I purchased "View From Above" and was surprised at the lackluster quality of writing and performance.

Gary Chandler seems to be a hero of sorts, and perhpas he is a great guitarist/composer. If so it is not evidenced on this DVD. He plays in a fairly unique way with initially interesting chops. They are somewhat unexpected and sound unique. Song riffs are influenced by this style and again, it initially seems good, but after 20 minutes I was tired of the constant solos that were mostly based on his guitar technique. Furthermore, his microphone technique was poor, especially transitioning between quiet and loud parts or the ever so present same-sounding solos and song riffs. Suppose I liked all that; his vocals fading in and out as he rushes to hit a guitar pedal get annoying.

I'm an IQ fan so John Jowitt on bass and Martin Orford manning keyboards and backing vocals seemed like a no brainer, but the harmonies and backing vocals are a mess. Their playing is excellent as usual. Orford's talents are wasted in this line-up as his excellent keyboard skills are reduced to a backing role.

Worst; there just doesn't seem to be much connection between Chandler and the band. It's like the Gary Chandler Karioke show.

This was a big dissapointment as a purchase, although I wouldn't rule out one of Jadis' CDs, although I'd make sure I heard and liked it. If what I heard and viewed on this DVD represents what Jadis has to offer, I'm not interested.

When I bought this DVD I had never heard their songs, so it was just pure guessing. Someone told me they were neo prog and I was in this period of my life when I was buying anything with that tag. I remember how much I liked the songs and how it made me go after their CDs. But now I see I enjoy this DVD much more AFTER getting familiar with their music. I can not really explain that, but it happened. Well, maybe this is true to any prog act. Anyway, Jadis is a great band and the show here have its pros and cons.

Pros: great musicianship of all involved. This is a foursome that really works and nothing is missing here in terms of the music itself. Gary Chandler is a superb guitarist and songwriter, and a decent and emotional singer. He may not have the, technically speaking, strongest vocals, but it works on all his songs. Martin Orford on the other hand shows a superb knack for the second voice and it blends nicely with Chandlers. Every member here is giving his best and they are superb musicians. All songs range from very good to excellent. The recording quality is also top notch.

Cons: The concert is a bit too short. They play a shortened version of one of their best songs eve:r Daylight Fades, which is a shame. And the worst part is in the film itself: I really would like to wring the neck of the one who thought that doing those in and out of focus effects would be of any good but giving the listener a good headache, Fortunately they are not always present but really spoil two or three excellent performances like "In Isolation".

Conclusion: With all its shortcomings, this is a essential buy not only for Jadis fans, but to anyone who likes prog music in general.

A Metal Mind production. So you ll find the seal.

The same concept in art production as other concerts produced by MM. Arena,Pendragon,Satellite....

This concert is not the best compilation of Jadis.

This concert is backwards in comparison with the creation of Jadis.

The first albums of Jadis were quite good,with very good melodies, beautiful prog rock ballads and some inspired good faster prog rock songs...but then i didn t like the evolution(The last album is really awful ..some pop prog bad songs)

This concert starts with some average songs of last albums(until 2003) and finishes with their best songs of More Than Meets The Eye...their first and best album.

So you ll watch a compilation of songs with very good musicians whose work wasn t so good.

So remembering their first album no "More Than -3 stars- Meets The Eye" here.

Jadis first and only one DVD released so far from 2003 named View From Above, live in Poland. Well this quite good, nothing really special in their playing or in the performance of the musicns, but as a whole not bad at all. The best pieces are from my fav Jadis album - Across the water, In isolation for example is great here as in studio, very smooth guitar lines and pleasent vocal passages from Gary Chandler. Not a groundbreaking DVD but pleasent enough for me to give 3. Little more diversity in their arrangements would been better for sure, to much time the pieces sounds alike. Anyway good effort from neo prog second armada of artists.