LIVE IN KRAKOW 1996

I consider "The Masquerade Overture" as their best album ever released and a really must own in any prog discography. I could hardly be disappointed with this live release which was recorded during their supporting for this album.

The atmosphere is phenomenal. The band is very popular in Poland (there web-site is even fully translated into Polish, with several other European languages; which is a nice attention for their fans who do not necessarily master English. Nick will also here and there do some attempts in the Polish language. He such a fine person, really.

All of "The Masquerade" is present, if you except "The Overture", and the short and only weaker track "The Pursuit Of Excellence". So all these magical and melodic moments are here.

The poppish and very pleasant "As Good As Gold" in its long format, the wonderful "Paintbox" with the incredible and emotional guitar work. One of the highlight of this set. The long and nice "Gardian Of My Soul", one of their most beautiful song ever written "The Shadow" with his fantastic (one more) guitar solo; and the extraordinary "Masters Of Illusion" (the first encore with a gorgeous and Floydian guitar mood at the end). All played perfectly with the addition of a frenetic crowd (more to be noticed in the video :"Live At Last!").

But all the numbers are excellent. BEAUTIFUL. I tell you. And the hell with the ones who believe that this is useless music. Of course, Pendragon does not play with the big names. Although there are hardly any big names in activity in prog today releasing good new material (Yes is still touring until recently, as the pair Gilmour / Waters - separately of course -, Tull as well as Van der Graaf but these are very few examples).

Pendragon produces simple, extremely romantic and melodic music which IMO holds more symphonic elements than "neo-prog" ones. Both Clive and Nick are very well supported by Peter (on bass) and Fudge (on drums). The line-up of the band is pretty stable as well.

One number is taken from their debut album : "Leviathan". One of the good "Pendragon" numbers out of this album, but when compared to their later work, I'm afraid it does not hold the comparison. Rockier but less emotional. Still, it is pleasant to listen to an old number once in a while.

Two numbers come from "The World". The opener of the album : "Back In The Spotlight" another poppish and very accessible Pendragon song in a shorter version here (prog pop maybe ?) and a nice part of their epic "Queens Of Hearts".

Let's be grateful to Pendragon that we can still hear this type of music in 2007 and long live Pendragon. I don't know if this is a masterpiece but it fills my heart with joy and emotion. And I can do nothing less than rating this live album with five stars.