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| Arena - The Cry |
 Released: 1997 Label: Verglas Cat. No.: VGCD005 Total Time: 35:47 | |
Reviewed by: Davide Guidone, January 2003 The third Arena disc is a short length EP that contains all the pieces called "Crying For Help" taken from their first two albums, Songs From The Lion’s Cage and Pride. Precisely, it is a collection of theme and variations, as it is written in the booklet notes. Since at the beginning the members of the group had intended "Crying For Help" to be one piece of music, with the release of The Cry their original will is given life, with the introduction of new versions of songs that were previously released on the two main works. The final result is an instrumental album for the most part that comes closer to the new age genre more than to progressive rock as usually followed by the English band. In fact, there are only three of the ten songs with vocals. After the main theme performance, the real first song is the title track, arranged in a new version for voice and acoustic guitar. In my opinion, an unexciting ballad. Afterwards there are four pieces where Clive Nolan is the master of the field and shows what he can do without playing in a virtuoso way, unsuited to this point in the album, prefering dreamy melodies which relax the listener. Some of these pieces are the original "Crying For Help" versions from Songs and Pride like "Problem Line" ("Crying For Help III"), "The Offering" ("Crying For Help V") and "Guidance" ("Crying For Help VIII"). These pieces of mainly keyboards only are staggered by a new piece for acoustic guitar played by then new guitarist John Mitchell and performed with great technical ability. The disc finishes with two songs: the first "Only Child," which features as guest Marillion’s guitarist Steve Rothery on the lead electric, and who plays a more successful solo than the original one. And the final track, "The Healer," a previously rejected rock piece sung by Paul Wrightson in a very similar way to Fish’s. I don’t suggest you start with this album if you are new to Arena, but, however, this one is a very good disc. [see also Steph's and Bobo's reviews -ed.] More about The Cry: Track Listing: Theme (0:55) / The Cry (3:10) / The Offering (2:33) / Problem Line (4:02) / Isolation (1:59) / Fallen Idols (4:12) / Guidance (5:09) / Only Child (5:03) / Stolen Promise (2:58) / The Healer (5:44) Musicians: Contact: Website: www.verglas.com/arenaworld Discography
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