Pendragon - 1985 - The Jewel

Pendragon

1985

The Jewel

01. Higher Circles (3:29)

02. The Pleasure Of Hope (3:43)

03. Leviathan (6:13)

04. Alaska (8:39) :

- a) At Home With The Earth

- b) Snowfall

05. Circus (6:34)

06. Oh Divineo (6:51)

07. The Black Knight (9:57)

Bonus tracks on 1991 & 2005 CD:

08. Fly High Fall Far (4:56)

09. Victims of Life (6:53)

Extra Bonus tracks on 2005 CD:

10. Armageddon (6:15)

11. Insomnia (4:19)

Nick Barrett / vocals, guitars

Rik Carter / keyboards

Peter Gee / bass, guitar, bass pedals

Nigel Harris / drums, percussion

With:

Clive Nolan / keyboards (10,11)

Fudge Smith / drums (10,11)

Pendragon´s first full length album is also full of promises. Really, the new remastered version has such a superior sound that I should recommend anyone interested to get it instead fo the old one. This new package comes with a beautiful booklet and all the lyrics, instead of the dull, no information cover of the original CD release. The sound is so improved is like a new album (specially the bass parts). The addition of two new bonus tracks is, too, so a plus (making it four extra songs, all good ones).

About the album itself I must say the remaster version made view this CD under a new light. I used to think it was a good start, but not much more. Now, that I´m able to hear all the subtle arrangements I was quite surprised how good those songs are really. In fact when I heard those guys playing these same songs live in the Past & Presence DVD I had the same impression, but I was thinking this was due to their better musicianship nowadays and the fact the band had two new members since then. But that was not really the case. Pendragon started with a fine collection of songs that were not so powerful and complex as on latter day releases, like the magnificent The Masquerade Overture. But, boy, were they good from the start! Alaska and The Black Night are mini epics that hints much of the masterpieces that were to come in the 90´s. Leviathan is their most ´Marillion´ song and, better yet, there is absolute no filler.

Small wonder Pendragon has become one of neo progs leading bands. The Jewel is certainly not their best, but still a very strong start. Before I heard the new remaster version I was going to give a 3 star rating, because the quality of their work shines even under the muddy original CD mastering. But the new remastering made me change my mind. Four solid stars. Thank God for the new version! I hope they do something similar to their second release Kowtow. You guys rule!

We have a neo prog album of the mid 80's here. It definitely sounds like Marillion, as revealed by the numerous moog solos and the clean & melodic electric guitar sound. However, the drums and bass are much more complex and faster, sometimes falling into a marvelous fusion style.