ONCE UPON A TIME IN ENGLAND VOLUME 1

The first of two albums which gather together tracks which have not previously appeared on official Pendragon album releases. They are in the main taken from the period prior to their first EP in 1984 and first album in 1985. Long term keyboard player and song writing contributor Clive Nolan is therefore largely absent from these recordings, as is drummer Fudge Smith.

The band were originally formed in 1976 as Zeus Pendragon, the only ever present member being Nick Barrett. They went through many line up changes even before their first album appeared, among the most significant being the early arrival of Peter Gee, originally as lead guitarist (Barrett was rhythm guitarist at the time), but soon to take over bass duties. Talented keyboard player John Barnfield was also an early arrival into the line up. Although Barnfield appears on a number of the tracks included on this album, he left before their first official release.

The band met up with, and indeed supported Marillion on many occasions during their early years, and the influences of that band can be heard both on these albums, and in much of Pendragon's work. As might be expected from releases such as this, the material included is somewhat variable, ranging from the occasional rare diamond to the those which might have been better left unearthed.

In general terms, the feel of the music is best described as immature in Pendragon terms, occasionally bordering on the amateur. There are the odd hints of the sophistication which was to come, but the listener does have to show a certain level of commitment in order to seek them out.

There are two very different versions of "The pleasure of hope" a track which was to eventually see the light of day on "The jewel". Of the two versions, the 1987 piano/vocal one is by far the better. Clive Nolan plays piano here, with Peter Gee on keyboard strings. The development of the song from the upbeat 1983 BBC Friday Rock Show version which opens this collection, is remarkable.

One of the main weaknesses of these tracks is in the vocals. Nick Barrett has come along way in that area, helped in no small part by sympathetic production, but these tracks find him to be struggling at times to hold the tune. Unfortunately, things take a turn for the even worse, when drummer Nigel Harris takes lead vocal on "Catch me if you can". The closing "Is this life?" is a pop/reggae embarrassment, which is truly dreadful.

On the plus side, there are hints of Yes on "Armageddon", and "Dream of tomorrow", the latter having similarities to the early Yes song "Survival". The brief "Dawn in Vienna" has some good Hackett like classical guitar, and "Melody" has some decent synth by Clive Nolan's predecessor John Barnfield.

To be fair to Pendragon, almost all these tracks were recorded well before they landed a recording contract, and were never intended for public release. While dedicated fans may find them interesting, there is no doubt that they generally fall well short of the standard we have subsequently come to expect from them. Consequently this album, and its companion volume 2, should be approached with extreme caution.

The packaging is excellent, with a fine booklet containing background information on each track, and a detailed biography of the band. The cover illustration is impressive too, giving this the appearance of a bona fide Pendragon release.

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