CONCERTO MAXIMO

Pendragon took quite some time (more than ten years) to release its first ever DVD (the excellent Live At Last) but after that they have steadily put out a new one in regular form. And, contrary to what was expected, They got better and better with each release. So I was a bit doubtful they could outdo their last, Past & Presence. But they did it. Concerto Maximo has a superior sound, lightning and even a stage presence that surpass their earlier performances. Those guys are getting old like wine!

I loved the setlist, too. Quite varied and I´m glad to confirm those guys don´t have to rely on The Masquerade Overture to hold your atention for a full show. There are only two tracks from that album and they could easily have done the DVD without them. Not that they don´t performe it very well, they do, but simply they have a lot more to offer than just their magnum opus. There are so many great songs they have never performed live on DVD before, you just wish they did it more. So I was excited when I found that they included tracks like Total Recall, We´ll Go Hunting Dear and, of course, their best ever song, the magnificent Sister Bluebird (at last! A full version, passionate performance that makes all this waiting worthwhile!)

So why didn´t I give them a full 5 star rating? Well, there are some minor flaws here and there too, all musical and personal ones. First, I really don´t know why Indigo is not here. The band´s last CD opener would be a great choice for a show that is supposed to be promoting Pure. Second, there are only three songs from Pure (but I can live with that!). But seriuosly, please, tell me why start the show with such a classic track like The Walls of Babylon without its haunting, beautiful, amazing guitar/keyboards intro? It´s a crime! In a lessser extent the same feeling goes for Nostradamus (I wonder if they ever played that slow, first part, live). I really feel bad when they do that to otherwise perfect tunes.

Still, I watch this video a lot. I love this band and I love the fact that even after 30 years Pendargon is still releasing relevant music and playing with a passion and conviction many new bands can only wish for. 4,5 stars.