Pendragon

Can it really be five years since 'The Masquerade Overture'? In the intervening time, Nick has suffered personally, and some of this is really brought home by the lyrics. There are some very bitter words at times, but the strongest message is probably on "If I Were The Wind (And You Were The Rain)" where Nick sings to his son. It is straight from the heart and I not only felt extremely moved when I read them for the first time, but also that almost I was intruding on a very private matter. Nick has bared his soul on this album, so that it is extremely personal and, hopefully for him, cathartic. But what of the music? In many ways, this is an album that will appeal to followers of Floyd, Genesis and Camel, albeit with more majesty and grace.

Fourteen-year-old Bobby Pendragon is a loyal friend, sports star, devoted pet owner – and Traveler. Along with his uncle Press, Bobby has visited the alternate dimension of Denduron and participated in a civil war. He's also waded through the endangered underwater territory of Cloral. Now Bobby once again finds himself thrust beyond the boundaries of time and space into a place that seems somewhat familiar: First Earth.Bobby and the Traveler from Cloral – Spader – have flumed to New York City, 1937. Against a backdrop of gangsters, swing music, and the distant sound of a brewing war, the two must uncover the evil Saint Dane's newest plot. But is Bobby ready for the difficult choices ahead?

Books 1-4 of author D.J. MacHale's sensational #1 NYT bestselling Pendragon series.

When Bobby Pendragon first arrives on the tropical world of Ibara, he finds paradise. As he works to uncover clues about the turning point this seemingly idyllic territory will soon face, all he can determine is that the people of Ibara are blissfully happy. It's not long before Bobby discovers, however, that they are also blissfully…oblivious.
The leaders of Ibara are keeping a devastating secret from their people, one that gives Saint Dane all the opportunity he needs to launch his final assault on Halla.

UK veterans Pendragon have a number of live albums out, time and again documenting their expertise at performing their material on stage. As all good live bands they don't merely replicate the studio versions so that fans have a reason to attend their concerts as well as purchasing the recordings from them. In this case we're treated to a fair few items that haven't been documented in a live setting previously, and some that haven't been covered live by this version of the band. Good enough reasons to note down this production as a likely buy in itself. A strong live recording that should be of interest to just about anyone with an affection for the neo-progressive part of the symphonic prog universe.