BREAKFAST IN BIARRITZ

Those with long memories may remember that when I last heard an Arena live album ('Welcome To The Stage') I wasn't over-complimentary. Now that was a few years, albums, and line-ups ago, so it was with an open mind that I put this double CD on the player. The first time I listened to it, I was alone in the house so I whacked it up while I concentrated on painting a bedroom.

The time flew by, and being alone I was able to get increasingly into the music. This line-up is certainly the best so far. Clive Nolan is and always be Clive Nolan, one of the very best keyboard players/composers/lyricists in any musical fields. He has probably graced more stages than any other person in the prog scene due to his many other projects (including also the fact that he has been keyboard player in Pendragon for an awful long time), and knows what the audience needs. Of course, the other co-founder is still there, the one and only Mick Pointer. The line-up is completed by bassist Ian Salmon (who has been involved with Clive for years, most notably in Shadowland), guitarist John Mitchell who has a much more central role to the music these days, and vocalist Rob Sowden. Rob has also been developing his stage persona and this comes through on the album.

A very strong double CD, with Arena showing that when it comes to symphonic prog there are few to match them. There is also a lengthy documentary on the band available as a CD- ROM track that is well worth watching. A good album.

Originally appeared in Feedback #62, May 01