It goes to show just how many good progressive rock bands there are out there when a band like Pendragon can completely escape this prog-lover's ears for so long. Then again, prog rock still barely registers a blip on the radar screen here in the U.S. when compared to it's popularity over in Europe. Past and Presence was my first introduction to this marvelous band, which only means that I've got yet another extensive back catalog to go out and start buying. Damn you Pendragon!
Pendragon was formed in Stroud, England in 1978 by vocalist/guitarist Nick Barrett and have gone on to release over twenty albums, if you count all of their live and best-of compilations. Their sound is best described as neo-progressive rock and reminds me a lot of Fish-era Marillion, and Peter Gabriel-era Genesis. After numerous line-up changes throughout their early years, the band eventually settled on the line-up that would serve them for the last twenty years; Nick Barrett (guitar/lead vocals), Clive Nolan (keyboards), Peter Gee (bass), and Fudge Smith (drums). In 2006, Smith left the band and was replaced by new drummer Joe Crabtree, who performs on this DVD.
Past and Presence was filmed at the Wyspianski Theatre in Katowice, Poland on October 31st, 2006 and finds Pendragon celebrating the 21st anniversary of the release of their first full-length album The Jewel. For this special occasion, the band treated their devoted fans to a performance of the entire Jewel album, as well as a few songs from the old days when they used to perform with Arena and Marillion at the Marquee Club in London. To top it off, they invited a few of their old bandmates, Rik Carter (keyboards, backing vocals), Julian Baker (saxophone, guitar, backing vocals), and John Barnfield (keyboards), to join them onstage for several numbers.
Nick Barrett is the driving force behind Pendragon and has been the only constant presence throughout their remarkable 30-year career. His vocals remind me of Fish, heavily English accented, and often sounding more like he is reading you an epic tale, rather than singing in the classic sense. His guitar style is reminiscent of Marillion's Steve Rothery, with shades of David Gilmour, but he also weaves in enough Petrucci-esque licks to leave you nodding your head in admiration. He is easily one of the best players in the business.
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