Hector and Marg have been in Morecambe for two days, Bradford was simply the preamble before the big event – Pendragon – on stage in the UK for the first time since both the band and Hector made a hasty retreat from Polska in March 2020.
Until next week in Lódz – was written after the review of Pendragon’s last UK gig at Kinross (Scotland). Lódz should have been the fifteenth performance of – Love Over Fear – that in fact was yesterday. This is a long time for a part-time band to be out of commission. The featured album in today’s set was all of – Not of This World – from 2001.
Seven hours on your feet, a daunting task. The venue – The Platform – the original railway station before the line was cut back a few hundred metres. Seats were available for those who really needed them, however, one really wants to be as close as possible to the action. Being present an hour before the band came on stage, meant the last – cuddly-sized – t-shirt, as Nick’s wife – Rachel – put it, was secured. We also got to see Rog Paterson’s solo acoustic set. Rog would then play twelve string guitar as and when during the Pendragon set.
Love Over Fear – was performed in its entirety as described back in 2020 at Kinross. Then Nick Barrett was celebrating the release of this wonderful album and had played a handful of UK dates before heading off for an extensive tour of Europe ending in Chile. Some of the same anecdotes were repeated – Wot, no beans?
Morecambe – as a choice for this weekend was down to location. People can get here from all over the UK, Scotland even received a specific mention. Plenty of hotels and places to park, unlike big cities. With the wide stage built mid-room, it did mean we were not more than ten deep.
The second hour was a trip through the back catalogue, the joy being that the Band could choose different songs for Saturday and Sunday.
The Walls of Babylon (The Window of Life)
The Wishing Well: II. Sou’ by Sou’ West (Believe)
This Green and Pleasant Land (Passion)
Paintbox (The Masquerade Overture)
Faces of Light (Men Who Climb Mountains)
Indigo (Pure), then the encore – Breaking the Spell (The Window of Life)
There were seemingly automatic – goodnights – from the stage, however, we all knew there was more to come. With the keyboards reduced to piano, no drums, we were treated to another half hour, the acoustic set.
The Voyager (The World)
The Black Night (The Jewel)
Fallen Dreams and Angels (Fallen Dreams and Angels)
Bring Me Sunshine (The Mills Brothers)
King of the Castle (The Masquerade Overture)
Alaska (The Jewel)
At times it felt like it was Peter Gee who was holding it all together whilst Nick and Clive went exploring on the fretboard and keys respectively. How do we get out of this? The Morecambe and Wise tribute was pure improvisation, we all think we know the words to – Bring Me Sunshine – until the second verse, then…
It was 23.45 when the show ended, time to find something cold, yellow and fizzy.
This morning, 11.00, there was a rendezvous at the Eric Morecambe statue. An opperchancity to chat with Clive. No more Arena gigs are scheduled for the UK presently. The last tour was missed due to not being able to get into London thanks to the periodic train strikes. Hector was ticketed for London, the gig having been postponed by one year, meanwhile as a consequence, Kinross became impossible to attend. Marg disappeared momentarily, she returned with a photo of herself with the latest drummer – Jan-Vincent Velazco.
Next she posed with Clive, it has been a while since their last photo together. Finally, there was a mass sing-along of – Bring Me Sunshine, – this time, Nick and Clive had the lyrics to hand.
Strangely, the music today was scheduled for the afternoon. At 14.15, Nick did a talk about his pedal array. This was followed by a full band – Q&A. Clive has five albums in the bag thanks to Lockdown. Instead, Nick has a book nearly finished.
Rog Paterson was due to play another thirty minute solo spot, Marg and Hector went next door to rest the feet. We timed our arrival for the beginning of – Not of This World, the entire album, performed in order. Lyrically some of this is brutal, – the divorce album. Faithless-All Over Now, delivered with due emotion.
If I were the Wind (and You Were the Rain)
Dance of the Seven Veils – Faithless-All Over Now
Not of This World all three parts
A Man of Nomadic Traits
World’s End – both parts
Following on, another collection of classic Pendragon songs.
The Freak Show (Pure)
Queen of Hearts, Part III: The Last Waltz (The World)
Sister Bluebird (Fallen Dreams and Angels)
Nostradamus (Stargazing) (Window of Life) and for encores:
Masters of Illusion (The Masquerade Overture)
Am I Really Losing You? (Window of Life)
After the gig it was Hector’s turn to be photographed with the famous. Having introduced myself, I reminded Nick of the Glasgow gig @1988 when there was but a handful present for a late night show in an upper room. I think it was Barrowlands, Nick thinks Night Moves. Is there an upper room in Barrowlands?
Anyway, three of us sat on stools directly in front of the band. As they launched into The Mask (Kowtow), so the chorus of – stand up, stand up – showed the absurdity of the event. Three of us, our own private show, the rest of the room indifferent.
Two days of music, a massive performance of the back catalogue, this is how it can be done. Hopefully a format that can be repeated. Someone whispered in my ear – Peterborough, May 11&12.
Finally, and with feet that were comfortably numb, it was time for Curry-Heute. Having passed Saffron (6 Skipton St, Morecambe LA4 4AR England) yesterday, an upstairs venue was expected, instead, it was down to the basement. A few tables were occupied when Marg and Hector entered at 19.15, Pendragon t-shirts were already in situ. We were led to a quiet corner at the rear, from here we could see some of the intricate décor through the basement arches. Ambience and Mainstream Curry, one has to give in occasionally.
Two 330ml bottles of Sparkling Water (£2.95) were ordered soon after taking our seats. Seats, luxury. Lamb Methi (£11.95) would hopefully be Hector’s choice, first the style had to be established. The waiter totally failed to grasp what I was getting at. Instead of confirming it was – Masala with Methi – and not – a mass of Herbs – he felt he had to explain what Methi was. Marg joined in, if anything things became more confused as she didn’t follow what I was getting at either. Lamb Methi it was.
For Marg, Keema Bhuna (£11.95) simples. We would share Vegetable Pilau Rice (£3.95) and a Naan (£2.95). The waiter confirmed that there would be no Capsicum in the Rice medley.
Through the partition from behind, I could hear – no wine, no Paratha (£4.95). BYOB – was apparently in vogue. Chef appeared at their table, a Paratha was possible. £4.95? And how is £2.95 for a Chapatti justified?
To my left, two chaps who had attended the Pendragon gig were discussing – Prog. Well not quite a discussion, more a monologue. A solitary diner behind Marg came over to chat before heading back to Wales. His appreciation of the two days of music was declared, and more importantly, he confirmed the Curry was good.
The Vegetable Pilau was just enough to share. Featuring Potatoes, Green Beans, Onion, Cauliflower, Carrots and Sweetcorn, this was a sound mixture. Marg unearthed a whole Clove, quality Rice. The Naan had a buttery sheen. Served whole, with burnt blisters, it was puffy, risen, how the Hector likes his Naan. It could have been larger, and on tasting there was a Sweetness, presumably from the melted Butter. That there wasn’t a grain of Rice left over, or a scrap of Bread says something about our appetites and the portion size.
Lamb Methi
Lamb Bhuna – said the waiter as he placed the Lamb Methi on the table. A welcome mistake, Dry Curry is what the Hector seeks. This was a suitably Thick Masala, Bhuna indeed. The Meat count reached eight, not the largest portion.
The Flavour of the Lamb itself may have been the most potent feature of this Curry. The Spice was pitched at a low level. The Seasoning, however, was fine. Tender Lamb with a hint of Methi, was noted. An Earthy Flavour rather than a blast of Herbs was forthcoming. After the intensity of Syhiba (Sowerby Bridge) two nights ago, this was a mellow Curry, but enjoyable all the same. There was Flavour, and if one was a regular here, I’m sure Chef could up the Spice and be more liberal with the Fenugreek.
Keema Bhuna
This is how a Keema should look, Dry, and no Oil slick. The grains of Mince appear to be coarse. Marg made short work of this. No kick – was her first utterance, which is quite a departure from her norm:
It was a tasty Bhuna made more exciting with the Vegetable Rice. There wasn’t enough strength of flavour, no kick, but I enjoyed fresh-baked Naan which had a hint of sweetness.
There was not a morsel left on the table at the end.
The Bill
£36.70 Standard Curry prices, but maybe smaller portions. Beware of the Bread prices.
The Aftermath
The waiter graciously accepted the Calling Card and put it in his pocket. That we both enjoyed our Curry was relayed. Now for a sunset photo at a famous statue.
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