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

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.

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.