9:15 LIVE

Review Nº 803

Pendragon is an English progressive rock band that was established in 1978 in Stroud, Gloucestershire as "Zeus Pendragon" by guitarist Nick Barrett. The name "Zeus" was dropped before the band started recording. Their music is characterised by Barrett's virtuoso guitar playing and his highly emotional, if unique, vocal performances. There were a few personnel changes in the early days of Pendragon, but since 1986 the line up has remained relatively stable.

"9:15 Live" is the debut live album of Pendragon and that was released in 1986. It was recorded live at the Marquee in London on 24, 25 and 26 July of 1986. After a full album, their debut studio album "The Jewel" released in 1985 and one mini-album, their debut EP "Fly High Fall Far" released in 1984, two of the founder members of the band were replaced. The keyboardist Rick Carter by the well know keyboardist Clive Nolan and drummer Nigel Harris by the drummer Fudge Smith. This would be the only change of the band's members on the group for a long time, for about twenty years. That last since this live album until their eighth studio album "Pure" released in 2008, where Fudge Smith was substituted by their new drummer Scott Higham. Higham also participated on their ninth studio album "Passion" released in 2011.

So, the line up on "9:15 Live" is Nick Barrett (vocals, Les Paul Custom and Ibanez Roadstar II Guitars, Mesa Boogie Amplification, Ibanez Harmoniser and Boss Effects Pedals), Clive Nolan (Korg DW 800, Roland JX 8P, Roland Juno 106, Korg Polysix Synthesizers, Ensonic Mirage Sampling Keyboard, TX7 Module, KX5 Portable Controllerr and Akai MT 30 Midi Patch Bay), Peter Gee (Fender Jazz bass, Shergold Custom Twin Neck Guitar, Fender Stratocaster, Trace Elliott and Marshall Amplification, Moog Taurus II, Bass Pedals and Boss Effects Pedals) and Fudge Smith (Aria Drums, Paiste and Ziljian Cymbals, Simmons SDS8 Electronic Drums and Assorted Percussion).

"9:15 Live" has eight tracks plus two bonus tracks. The first track "Victims Of Life", the second track "Higher Circles", the third track "Circus" and the fourth track "Leviathan" are four songs that were originally released on their debut studio album "The Jewel". The fifth track "Red Shoes" was a song originally released on their second EP "Red Shoes" released in 1987. The sixth track "Alaska" and the seventh track "The Black Knight" are two songs that were also originally released on their debut studio album "The Jewel". The eighth track "Please" is a left over song from their earlier studio recordings. And from what I know it never was released on any of the studio albums of the band. The two bonus tracks included on "9:15 Live" aren't actually two live tracks but two studio tracks. So, the ninth track "Dark Summer's Day" and the tenth and last track "Excalibur" are two songs that were originally released on their debut EP "Fly High Fall Far". "Dark Summer's Day" and "Excalibur" are the two only songs released on the side two of that EP.

The usual Pendragon fare is offered on "9:15 Live". I'm talking about solemn rock songs that are very melodic but mostly not too overly complex rock songs. Another trademark of the band is the rather thin voice of Nick Barrett, which highlights during "Alaska" and "The Black Knight" that are quite convincing. Live, the guitars are a bit more dominant on their sound than you might be used to from Pendragon. Clive Nolan contributes with pleasant keyboard sounds too.

About the tracks on "9:15 Live" the quality that is offered increases more and more all over it. After the instrumental beginning of "Victims Of Life", you have "Higher Circles". Musically it's nice and beautiful with anthemic keys and the sing along refrain by Nick Barrett. "Circus" is a nice track, but that doesn't even offer anything exciting. "Leviathan" is better, especially because of the quite aggressive guitar work in the usual Pendragon's standards. "Red Shoes" follows a genuine rock'n'roll that somehow seems out of place. But, the live versions of "Alaska" and "The Black Knight" are really great. In addition to a certain complexity in the arrangements, good keys and guitar work, there's a convincing singing by Nick Barrett. As an encore there's an instrumental called "Please" that knows how to please with a beautiful, calm melodic line. About the two studio bonus tracks, the poppy "Dark Summer's Day" isn't really great mainly because of the bad production and Barrett's underground singing. "Excalibur" is a very nice instrumental piece with all sorts of genre typical ingredients like anthemic keys and marching rhythm drums. Everything is arranged very tastefully here.

Conclusion: "9:15 Live" is a nice live album that shows what a great band can be at the stage. After intensive touring as a support act for Marillion and their close connotations with that band, with this live album Pendragon shows their own foot print. This live album was a gift for all Pendragon's fans and gave a good view about Pendragon's live capabilities at that time. "9:15 Live" also shows that the new band's members fit very well in Pendragon's music. It also shows classic Pendragon's songs such as "The Black Night", "Alaska" and "Leviathan". However, "9:15 Live" can't be considered an essential album in the career of the band. Despite the presence of Clive Nolan have added something new to "The Jewel" songs, I don't think that the final result can be so different that it deserves to be rated with 4 stars.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)

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