Picture by Willem Klopper, De Boerderij May 2006.
A live review and more pictures..
blog.mostlypink.net | ||||
Interview with:
Nick Barrett at DPRP.
On this section you can find some news too,
a review and interview.
News:
Tour dates for 2012:
And a new DVD, read more here below.
Symfo-band in the footsteps of Marrilion. But in the meantime they became really Proggy in true meaning of the word "Prog".
Two new titles will see the light of day in April 2002. The first is the DVD version
of the Live At Last video, containing the registration of a gig in Poland on
the 1996 Masquerade Tour. The second new release is an acoustic album recorded at
Radio 3 Warsaw, Poland on the 2001 tour, entitled Acoustically Challenged.
To promote these two new releases, Pendragon will embark on a short European tour in May.
The Jewel remastered is in the stores in May 2005.
Nick Barrett has delivered an excellent new album called Believe, release date August 29 2005.
Believe ('05).
There were plans to make
a limited edition initial release of Believe, which will include a free DVD of rare
concert footage, extracts from the recent Progeny London Astoria
show, studio diaries, extra bits of music, chit chat and general
life in Pendragon world. It's just shot on a home video recorder but
lots of good and interesting bits! But because of production problems
and a time schedule it wasn't possible to get it ready on time. But there's good news,
you can download some stuff at their site.
Nick Barrett: vocals, guitars,
Peter Gee: bass,
Clive Nolan: keyboards,
Fudge Smith: drums with
Karl Groom (co-producer and engineer) and
Rob Audrey (mastering, he works with Jadis and IQ too).
Tracklist:
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1. Believe 2:57 2. No Place For The Innocent 5:36 3. The Wisdom Of Solomon 7:07 4. The Wishing Well 21:07 | ||
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5. Learning Curve 6:38 6. The Edge Of The World 8:20 |
Artwork
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Artwork is by Simon Williams again, but as you see from our
piece by piece jigsaw above, it is quite different from previous
albums, it has a darker and slightly more edgy feel to it but the
appeal is still very strong. Inside the booklet are more pictures
from Simon all done as tattoos.
The
Music by Nick B./ interview.
[Nick B.]
"I really started
hammering away at the writing around last October, so relatively
speaking this has been a very quick album to make, the delay upto
then was caused by lack of money, borderline bankruptcy [took me 2
years to sell my house...ouch!].
I was really looking for
something in music that excited me again over the last couple of
years and was on a bit of a musical quest and I think I have found
it now with this album. There are a lot of samples of vocal sounds
and weird Asian instruments. A lot of the songs were written on
guitar so the whole direction feels fresh and new.
Over the
next few weeks I'll do a more indepth run down on all the
songs."
Do the lyrics have a deeper meaning?
[Nick B.] Er....yes;
The album is about not believing everything you read or see on TV or in the
papers!
I've always been very into spiritualism, philosophy, psychology etc, and my
Mum asked me if I had read any books by David Icke, and I said, what the guy
who claimed to be the Son Of God, she said yes! I said nahhhh...
So I got some of his books and apart from the Son Of God thing, which I
think he now is a bit embarrassed about, he was saying some incredibly
interesting things about the world being not what we thought it was....I was
gripped by these ideas, and started reading books by other authors like
Graham Hancock, and to be brief there seemed to be a good case for the world
being influenced by an alien presence and manipulation of the human race
being herded into some kind of slavery and a New World Order taking over ,
and oddly enough many of the things Ike talks about have been true!
I also read a lot about the Freemasons and the Knights Templar.
We have been taught things that we take as absolute truths in school but did
you know that Darwin , towards the end of his life had very serious
doubts about his own theory of evolution, and started to suspect something
more 'religious' was at foot, and that the Roman Catholic church
only just acknowledged in the 1980's I think, that Galileo was right ...the
world was not flat! I mean!!! 1980's!!!! Gee.. these guys need to get out
more!
Yes I think the human race has been taken for a right royal
gaga ride!
Believe is saying , question everything, believe nothing!
The Wishing Well?
[Nick B.] This song is about human conditioning...lets all get our humanness back!
Mmm I like that...
An other strong point is that you had the guts to make a change of direction. You could
have made an "Not of this World Part Two".
[Nick B.] You mean Not Of This World Part Four!!! After the World, The Window,
Masquerade and Not Of...all these albums were in a similar vein, the mould
needed to be broken.
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Nick B.
Musicians:
Review of Believe.
A really nice album, but different. Clive does a step back, oh yes he's present with some
fine keyboard tunes but he's more on the back ground giving Nick and his guitar all the
room of the world. And if you are familiar with Nick excellent skills you will admit,
that he's an excellent guitar player. So a lot of guitar work on this one.
The album didn't grab me at the first turn, the intro did and
"No Place For The Innocent" was overwhelming. But after a few spins in my desk the
songs have absolute made an good impression and stuck in my mind.
The Gaellic and Eastern voices and spoken words giving it all some magical, theatrical
touch. I like that!
The album starts with a mysterious instrumental track Believe from almost 3 minutes.
Gaelic voices, impressive guitar work, Clive doing a splendid job on the background. The
use of a Talk Box (David Gilmour used it on
Keep Talking too) underlines Nick Barretts love for Pink Floyd.
A sample pronounce "And now everybody on the dancefloor". Yes the man has humor too and song two kicks in:
No Place For The Innocent; "And do you believe in Darwins
theory of evolution?" ,
sings Nick. He had some philosophical
interests in the past, but I believe the last years he was able to dig deeper and he's
more able to write it down. There are more levels and more points of view, don't believe
everything when you hear it, try to dig deeper, that is what I hear. I like this sort of
lyrics. But actually the lyric goes further: [Nick B.]
There are people who think the world is being manipulated into a New World Order and has
been heading this way since the dawn of time, eventually pushing mankind into slavery.
If you're interested look for books of; David Icke and Graham Hancock.
Nice uptempo song with a catchy guitar riff and a good change of speed
using the acoustic guitar.
The Wisdom Of Solomon was one of the growers of the album. Good guitar solo at the
end.
The epic The Wishing Well consists of 4 songs, apparently the meaning of the lyrics is the gloom that
brings them together. About a ship that search for humanity, you need some imagination for
that.
The first is a spoken piece, a poem for your love I guess. Only accompanied by keyboards and
Anglic voices. Maybe a bit slow and if you don't like Nicks voice i think you'll skip this one.
I like his rough voice and I like such intro, it builds up the epic.
An acoustic guitar starts part 2 and together with part 3, they're songs in the vein of previous
Pendragon albums; an astonishing intro, lyrics, chorus guitar solo, chorus, a turning point,
change of the lyrics, (great lines), end section... marvelous. and the rhythmn section is
really pulling of in part 3, together with some vocal gymnastics, vocoders, sound effects and
a new sample machine.
Turn up the volume of your speakers!
Learning Curve [Nick B.] Is about the last few years, I have been on a search,
a mission , I wanted to find new good music, different things to put my passions into,
things to believe in. I have developed stronger interests in many things like politics,
economics, world history, religion, anything spiritual, my feelings on these things are
now very intense. From impressive electric guitar rifs to flamenco and more
acoustic guitar work, marvelous song.
The last track, The Edge Of The World is for the fan "Poland our Homeland" he sings. A person al look back,
a urge to go on tour again.
A Pendragonesque ballad, with an explosive middle section, nice to end with.
[Nick B.] You come to a point you realize music is the most important thing in life.
I would say it has become a more Nick Barrett solo
album then a classical Pendragon album. Passion, good lyrics, great rhythm team, screaming guitars,
well crafted keyboardloops, the use of a lot af strange and adventurous samples it's all there.
An other strong point is that he had the guts to
make a change of direction. It's more guitar based. He could have made an "Not of this World Part Two".
[Nick B.] You mean "Not Of This World Part Four"!!! "After the World",
"The Window",
"Masquerade" and "Not Of..." all these albums were in a similar vein, the mould needed to be
broken.
But if you like
Pendragon, you'll have to buy this original innovated album too,
you'll not regret.
For me it will be one of the major releases of 2005 and it
still grows.
Nick from the lovely South of the Netherlands.
They had a very successful tour in Europe during the Spring & Summer 2006.
During the recent Believe tour Pendragon returned to the stage in Katowice, Poland where Nick Barrett and Clive Nolan recorded the recently released A Rush Of Adrenaline DVD. Naturally this was the site for a new DVD recording entitled And Now Everybody To The Stage. The DVD will be released through Metal Mind on 11 September 2006.
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DVD: 1. No Place For The Innocent 2. As Good As Gold 3. Guardian Of My Soul 4. Kowtow 5. The Wishing Well 6. The Edge Of The World 7. Nostradamus 8. The Dance Of The Seven Veils 9. Paintbox 10. Last Waltz 11. Breaking The Spell 12. Masters Of Illusion 13. The Black Knight 14. The Lost Children / Green Eyed Angel / Sister Bluebird / The Last Man On Earth 15. Am I Really Losing You? Bonus video: The Progumentary - a home video recording | 
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CD 1: 1. No Place For The Innocent 2. As Good As Gold 3. Guardian Of My Soul 4. Kowtow 5. The Wishing Well 6. The Edge Of The World 7. Nostradamus |
CD 2: 1. The Dance Of The Seven Veils 2. Paintbox 3. Last Waltz 4. Breaking The Spell 5. Masters Of Illusion 6. The Black Knight 7. The Lost Children / Green Eyed Angel / Sister Bluebird / The Last Man On Earth 8. Am I Really Losing You? |
Pure.
Believe ('05) was a a big welcome change of direction of Nick Barrett and to my humble opinion an very good
change. On "Pure" Nick and his buccaneers go a step futher in that direction.
What is different? Mmm a lot of things, but the new drummer really gives an power boost to this fine album. Scot Highman has
played in some metal bands and on "Pure" he shows that on fine subtile way.
I must confess that the first 3 tracks were very impressive from the start, but the whole album didn't grabbed
me at the begining. But that has changed ;-) and now the last two songs are one of my favourites...
The opening track, "Indigo", is a stomper, great riff and you hear just a great proggy heavy band. The song is very
representative for the quality and overal sound of almost all of the tracks.
They used again some samples and did that on great way.
Another great thing about Pendragon is that Nick is a great guitar player and he proves that a few times on
this album. Maybe he isn't the best singer (anymore) but i like his almost spoken lyrics.
Peter Gee and legendary Clive Nolan are craftsmen who certainly made an add to this statement. And with Karl
Groom behind the desk it became indeed became a statement of those 30 years old Rockers. (Neo-) Prog is still alive and
worthed a buy! A must have for peole who like IQ, Marillion, the Reasoning, Riverside and all the old proggy stuff.
So don't download but just go to a decent shop and spent 18 euro's or whatever this little masterpiece will cost.
8+ / 10.
Pure will be released on vinyl aswell!!!
Around Feb 2010!
Muscians:
A live review on this site (oct '08).
Concerto Maximo DVD.
"Concerto Maximo" DVD features 150 minutes of the band’s performance recorded on the 13th October 2008 in Wyspianki Theatre, an exclusive bonus video featuring interviews with the band members and behind the scenes footage, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound, photo gallery and more!
DVD will be also available in two other formats: limited edition DVD+2CD and 2 CD digipak (limited to 1000 copies).
Please note that Concerto Maximo is due at the end of February 2009.
Tracklist:
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1. Walls of Babylon 2. A Man of Nomadic Traits 3. Wishing Well 4. Eraserhead 5. Total Recall 6. Nostradamus 7. Learning Curve 8. Breaking the Spell 9. Sister Bluebird 10. Shadow 11. The Freak Show 12. The Voyager 13. It’s Only Me 14. Masters of Illusion 15. King of the Castle 16. And We’ll Go Hunting Deer 17. Queen of Hearts |
Also includes:
Interview |
March '09;
Other News.
Nolan/Barrett: had released their live DVD A Rush Of Adrenaline. It's an acoustic DVD filmed by a TV crew in Theatre Wyspianskiego in Katowice, Poland in June 2005. The quality is great and for just a 2 piece band shows off some pretty nifty camera work and a wide spectrum of material. The whole thing is recorded for all regions, on NTSC. Also it's 5.1 sound mix, so hopefully it will fee like you are really there!
After The Storm Benefit Album for the Survivors of Hurricane Katrina (2005).
News May 2006.
Fudge Smith left the band...
Joe Crabtree, who has recently worked with David Cross from King Crimson, will be the new one in charge. We look forward to working with Joe and our eyes are now set to a brand new future!
And Now Everybody To The Stage is the title of a the new DVD of Pendragon with some great bonus material ('10).
Read a great review at DPRP.
As previously announced Metal Mind Productions will release the brand new DVD. The Live DVD entitled "Out Of Order Comes Chaos” will be available in March 2012. It contains a show recorded in Katowice during the Polish leg of the tour promoting the band’s most recent album “Passion”. For the first time in their career live material will be released also on a Blu-Ray. The DVD and Blu Ray, as well as a 2 CD set will be available through the Pendragon website.
Here is the final tracklist:
1. Passion
NICK BARRETT
He joined ProgAID, and did an amazing solo on his slide.
Here you'll find a small interview with
Nick Barrett.
He'll be playing with Neo a new supergroup at
The Rites of Spring Festival 2006.
GEE, PETER.
Heart Of David ('93): is his first solo album.
Line up
Peter Gee, Tracy Hitchings, Clive Nolan, Paul Wilson, Fudge Smith, Ian Salmon, Rik Carter,
Richard West, Karl Groom, Nigel Harris, Uwe d'Röse, Tina Riley, Patrick Barrett, Nick Barrett,
Daniel Bristow, Matthew Weeks, Iain Sullivan, Daniel Weeks,
Steve Weeks, Trudy Morgan, Masie Thompson, Michelle Williams, Bisi Fajana, Nike Sofolawe,
John Jackson, Michael Miller, Carlyle Felix, Sian Roberts, Stev Rispin, Tony Grisham.
Mercy Train is an solo-project from '93 with;
Produced and Engineered by Peter Gee, Rob Aubrey and Karl Groom.
Mixed by Rob Aubrey and Peter Gee.
Recorded at Bourne Lane Studios, Thin Ice Studios and Aubitt Studios.
Session for:
Alan Reed (ex-Pallas) (Oct 2012).
Symfo-Index.
Updated July 2012 by Nick.
Shine On Nick!