Pendragon - The Masquerade Overture
	Released: 1996 Label: Toff Records Cat. No.: PEND7CD Total Time: 57.56
	Reviewed by: Stephanie Sollow, May 1998 While Pendragon are not exploring any new territory here with The Masquerade Overture they have crafted a very good album. Much of the music here has a certainly familiarity - at times reminding of latter period Pink Floyd, for one. Certainly, there are similarities with their neo-prog brethren like IQ, Marillion, and any band who've come in their wake, but there is enough here that still retain the individual character that Pendragon have. Some of that has to do with Nick Barrett's vocal delivery, which is more natural than most other neo-prog vocalists who try too hard to sound like Peter Gabriel or, latterly, Fish. The arrangements are rich and lush, reaching a certain loftiness in their composition (as is characteristic of most neo-prog), all driven by Nick Barrett's guitar and vocals, and Clive Nolan's keys. The production here is also great, bringing out a certain vibrance to all the of tracks - even the subtlest of instrumentation is clearly heard (although not necessarily on the first listening - and this one bears repeated listenings). The standout tracks are "As Good As Gold," "Guardian of My Soul" and the closer "Masters Of Illusion." This album is strongly recommended not only to anyone who is a fan of progressive rock, but to fans of music in general. [Although unreviewed, some editions of this album came with a second disc, featuring "single" versions of "As Good As Gold," and "Masters of Illusion" as well as three additional tracks -ed.] More about The Masquerade Overture: Track Listing: The Masquerade Overture (3:03) / As Good As Gold (7:15) / Paintbox (8:38) / The Pursuit Of Excellence (2:36) / Guardian Of My Soul (12:41) / The Shadow (9:55) / Masters Of Illusion (12:50) Musicians: Nick Barrett - Guitars and Vocals Clive Nolan - Keyboards Fudge Smith - Drums Peter Gee - Bass Tracy Hitchings, Tina Riley, Anthony Plowman, Gwen Ross, and Simon Clew - Backing Vocals Contact: Pendragon Toff Records 11 Halfway Houses Maidenhead Rd Cookham Berks SL6 6PP UK Website: www.pendragon.mu Note: will open new browser window Discography Fly High Fall Far ep (1984) OOP The Jewel (1985) 9:15 Live (1986) Kowtow (1989) The R(B)est Of Pendragon (1991) incl. Fly High... ep The World (1991) The Very, Very Bootleg - Live In Lille, France 1992 (1993) The Window Of Life (1993) Fallen Dreams and Angels ep (1994) Utrecht... The Final Frontier (1995) The Masquerade Overture (1996) As Good As Gold ep (1996) Live... At Last! (vid) (1997) Live In Kraków 96 (1997) The Masquerade Overture (1999) digi-pack w/bonus trk Once Upon A Time In England Vol 1 (1999) Once Upon A Time In England Vol 2 (1999) The Round Table (1985-1998) (1999) Sth Am. mkt The History: 1984-2000 (2000) Polish mkt Not Of This World (2001) Acoustically Challenged (2002) The Jewel (remastered) (2005) Believe (2005) Live...At Last And More (2002) Interview: Nick Barrett (May 2005) Interview: Nick Barrett (Oct 2005)
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