Bradford – Punjab Restaurant – Arena @ Wath upon Dearne – The Visitor + Double Vision Tour

Yesterday afternoon, Marg and Hector drove to South Yorkshire. There was a tight schedule which permitted checking in at the Woolley Edge Travelodge (Southbound) on the M1, before heading on for quick dinner at Wath upon Dearne (Rotherham). This was the first opperchancity to see – Arena – in concert since they last played at The Ferry in Glasgow sometime between the Immortal (2000) and Contagion (2002) albums.

Arena’s music is out and out Progressive Rock. The vocal melodies can sound somewhat contrived in the verses. The strength of Arena’s music is in the melody of the catchy choruses which link to the guitar riffs, then cue the wall of sound from the keyboards. Arena!

 With the album – Double Vision – released soon, this is only the ninth Arena album in twenty four years, I still don’t have – Pride (1996). Fans are required to have staying power. It was the 1998 album – The Visitor – when Hector was drawn in. The Visitor is a true classic, every track is a gem, a – Concept Album – but about what? To celebrate the twentieth anniversary, Arena announced they would play – The Visitor – in its entirety despite having a new album to promote on this tour. 1998 was the year Marg and Hector finally got together, The Visitor remains Marg’s favourite – Prog – album.

This was our first visit to Montgomery Hall. Bleachers had been erected at the rear of the hall, half of the seats were occupied when we entered at 19.10. Would anyone stand in front of the stage? Those arriving thereafter had little choice. 19.30 the tickets said. 19.30 came and went, as did 19.45, 20.00, 20.15 and 20.30. The drive south was taking its toll, patience was wearing thin. Why have 19.30 on the ticket if there was no intention of starting the gig at that time? It was hot in the Montgomery Hall already.

Welcome to The Stage

At 20.32 the band members assembled on stage, finally – The Visitor – was underway.

Apart from Clive Nolan (Keyboards) whom Marg has seen often playing in Pendragon, she did not recognise any of the band. Mick Pointer (Drums, and still with the ex-Marillion tag is a founder member). John Mitchell (Guitar, Kino, It Bites) joined for – The Visitor – album. John Jowitt (Bass, Jadis, IQ) who has been in and out over the years, has sadly gone.  Kyle Amos (Bass) first appeared on – The Unquiet Sky (2015) and remains. His resemblance to John Jowitt is uncanny. Paul Manzi (Vocals) replaced Rob Sowden for – The Seventh Degree of Separation – in 2011. Double Vision, inspired by a track on – The Visitor – is his third album with Arena.

Instrumental overtures complete, Paul Manzi entered from stage right in a long black, mysterious coat. All eyes were on him and would remain so for much of the performance. Where has he been all these years? This is a man who can sing. His stage presence was remarkable, Marg was well taken. I suspect she will be asking to hear more in the coming weeks.

Elea and Serenity are two almost solo instrumentals for John Mitchell, excellent links in the sequence of songs. The Hanging Tree is always a standout, the theme from which reappears towards the climax. Ironically, I never knew the last ten minutes or so of this album until I bought a car with a CD player. C90s were limited, forty five minutes per side, albums grew beyond the standard forty minutes decades ago.

That was our first track for this evening, The Visitor – announced Clive after the applause had died down. Apparently people have written essays trying to explain what – The Visitor – is about. Clive suggested the new album may go some way to revealing – the meaning of the story.

The crowd was probably under two hundred, average age, well, not young. I was glad I had a seat, some had been standing for two hours, part two began immediately, no break. It was really hot.

Only two tracks from – Double Vision – were performed: Poison, which featured acoustic guitars and The Mirror Lies. This did not leave much time in the second hour for the back catalogue. I was astonished that both Jericho and Solomon from the first album – Songs from the Lion’s Cage – (1994) still featured in their set. With three or four albums I have never seen performed live, surely a broader cross section was merited?

The Butterfly Man (Immortal) I have probably seen live before. The Tinder Box (Seventh Degree of Separation) was the only song performed this evening from the last three albums, not what I had expected. Perhaps another hour of music was required to do the new album and their back catalogue justice. Still, Marg and I were here for – The Visitor – else we would not have travelled. It was worth the drive.

Ascension (Contagion) and Crying for Help VII (Pride) were the encores, assuming that all songs played this evening were the same as Friday at St. Helens where this tour kicked off.

Curry-Heute

If Sarina’s opened on a Sunday, Marg and I would have been there today for Handi Gosht, not to be. I couldn’t possibly come back from South Yorks and not have a Bradford Curry. I even contemplated dining at one Restaurant and buying a Takeaway from another, I’ve done that before. When I visited Sultan in February on a tip off from a taxi driver, the other place he mentioned was – Punjab. What was Punjab Sweet Centre & Grill House (122-126 Listerhills Road, Bradford, BD7 1JR) may have shortened its moniker. Today was a good day to check, they open at Noon on a Sunday.

It was a half hour drive up the M1 and along the M62 from the Woolley Edge Travelodge. Arriving at 12.15 we were the first customers of the day. As I took the outside photos, Marg found the entrance. The young Waiter apparently switched on the water feature as Marg took her seat. Now she remembered Punjab Sweet House, it has been almost four years. 

The Menu shows – Punjab Restaurant – on the cover.

Karahi Fish is what Hector had in mind, Marg too as it happened. When first encountered it was Craig who had this, my Soupçon instantly impressed. On my last visit the Karahi Fish was good, but had no – Wow. The Kashmir Restaurant has led the way here. A re-evaluation was long overdue.

All Mains are available in two sizes, Regular and Large. What a magnificent way to serve Curry. Marg ordered Karahi Fish – Regular (£8.30), Hector went – Large (£12.85). At Punjab, one pays for all Bread. Marg stuck to her usual Roti (£0.60). I asked for a Chilli and Coriander Naan which was not on the menu, how long before it is commonplace? The Waiter was unsure if this was doable, he would check. My back up was an Aloo Paratha (£2.50). All Naans were in the £1.50 to £2.50 range, Cheese Naan being top of the scale.

I asked for – A bit more Spicy, but not crazy. Marg would take it as it comes. Marg ordered a Mango Rubicon but sent it back when it came. The Bottle of Tap Water was deemed to be sufficiently cool and refreshing.  Raita and Chilli Dips were provided, for what I was not sure, no Poppadoms.

I had plenty of time to photograph the empty seating area. The food preparation and cooking area is open at the doorway but well obscured from where we sat, a pity. A waterfall.

A family arrived then a father and son, finally a solo diner, more tables occupied. Time to bash a spoon on a table, not me, the wean. The spoon was confiscated, parenting, yay!

Catch of The Day

Our Chap stopped whilst passing and apologised for our wait. Not a problem.

We speculated as to why there was an apparent delay, cue the usual cliches.

The Regular Portion was Substantial as I have described previously. The Large was enough for two, I knew some was coming back to Glasgow from the outset. Hector’s Takeaway. The Chilli and Coriander Naan sat atop the Roti. The Naan was round, and more importantly – whole. It looked as if it was Tawa cooked not Tandoor, no telltale – tear shape – or enough burnt blisters. The Naan was lightly fired, soft, not doughy, very appealing. The Chillies would give their bite, tempered by the Herb. Marg marvelled at the size of her Roti which she managed to eat in its entirety. The Roti also did not turn to – Crisp – too soon. Half Chapatti, half Roti?

Karahi Fish

It’s a little bit Spicy for me – was Marg’s initial take. I had yet to start. Marg put the Raita to good use.

I was still taking in the Quantity and the fact that this looked identical to that served at Kashmir. The Haddock had been flaked, why are Glasgow Curry Houses diffident when it comes to serving – Flaky Fish? The Masala, such as it was, was Tomato-rich. The Spice hit, hard, no prisoners here. Where was the Seasoning, the Flavour? I was set to write this off as another disappointment, however, the palate adjusted, the taste-buds started to behave. The Seasoning became apparent as I approached the halfway mark, and so much more Flavour emerged over the Spice. The Fish was Beautiful, so Light to eat, Healthy. This Karahi Fish may not have had the – Wow – either, but was not far short.

I quite like it this way, the Flaky Fish – was Marg’s concluding remark as she wiped her Karahi clean with the last piece of Roti. When did Marg last have a Curry this early and show it no mercy?

As we finished, a plateful of Lamb Chops were brought to the – Father & Son – table. Five Chops for £4.50, Charcoal on a plate, Excellent, next time.

The Remnants were packed for the trip home.

The Bill

£23.75. This Quantity of Fish would have cost double in Scotland, where we find it difficult to source Fish at a fair price.  The Chilli and Coariander cost £2.00.

The Aftermath

No Calling Card (I announced myself here years ago), just thanks to the Chap behind the counter as we passed by.

It was time for Marg’s Treats – Coffee and Cake – in Haworth.

By the time we reached Glasgow, Hector was peckish, oh why not…..

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                     The Menu