Marillion - Live From Cadogan Hall
Marillion are a band who have stood the test of time and have released some impressive material over the years. Twenty five years in the spotlight, fifteen studio albums and over twenty UK Top 40 hits, they have more than done their shift for UK Music. Always producing great music to consistently high standards and never ones to let the grass grow under their feet, they have become one of the most respected bands of their genre.
The double CD (and DVD) 'Live From Cadogan Hall' was recorded on the last night of Marillion's 'Less Is More' tour in December 2009. The band aimed to 'completely reinvent' their songs chosen from their extensive back catalogue of over twenty years. The acoustic approach has brought new life to a lot of old favourite songs and sees the band branching out musically, often incorporating less mainstream instruments such as autoharp, pipe organ, xylophone, dulcimer and glockenspiel. Hogarth's voice is crisp and clear throughout and is more than adequately supported by the exquisite guitar playing of Rothery.
Literally from the word 'go' (the album opens with the song 'Go!'); a crystal clear sound echoes around the hall, producing a perfectly gentle and peaceful atmosphere. The acoustics of the venue are perfect and the song is delivered with style and subtlety. This sets the trend for the rest of the set, typified with the Donald Campbell inspired 'Out Of This World' and 'It's Not Your Fault'.
After playing the rearrangements of the tracks from 'Less Is More', the second half sees the band plugged in and they deliver another ten classic Marillion tracks, often with subtle twists and different emphases than the originals. This rearrangement of the originals is highlighted in such songs as 'Wrapped In Time', which seems to have more edge, and 'Hard As Love' which becomes a song of resignation from the original that was filled with anger.
There are some epic arrangements of some epic songs and the musicianship and performance is consistently high. There is complexity and emotion throughout and this is performed effortlessly. Musically astute, with many sublime moments, the album is honest and timeless.