Curry-Heute

It is four years sincePendragon last played in Scotland, and six years since the somewhat disappointing studio album – Men Who Climb Mountains. There was much advance publicity about the February release of the latest album – Love Over Fear – which people have since gone crazy about. Hector’s subtitle for this album is – Nick bought a boat – given the number of references to the sea. Nick Barrett, founding member, guitarist and composer of Pendragon’s music moved to the south-west of England and took inspiration from his surroundings – everything is blue, everything is green (360º).

After the stomping track – Everything – which is very much in the style of a Pendragon opener, the album goes surprisingly mellow with Starfish and The Moon setting the tone for much of what follows – a more simple piano accompaniment by the ever-present Clive Nolan – also of Arena –  whom I have seen in the interim. What makes Love Over Fear work is that the guitar passages emerge from within the atmosphere of the key songs rather than having riffs tagged on to the end which Nick was guilty of in the distant past.

2008 saw the release of – Pure – an album which kicks off with – Indigo – and set a standard which I believed Nick could never equal. Passion – followed three years later and came very close, another masterpiece. 2014’s – Men Who Climb Mountains – wasn’t a bad album, there were just fewer tracks which matched the standard set in the previous two. And so Nick has waited six years to write, record and produce – Love Over Fear – which must be regarded as another significantly positive milestone.

None of us is getting any younger, the physical act of standing is increasingly becoming a challenge, what happened at Bittigheim-Bissingen? Kinross being the third night of the tour gave the opperchancity to source the set-list: all of – Love Over Fear – followed by over an hour of their greatest hits, as it were. Indigo and Breaking the Spell (The Window of Life, 1993) have been played in the last three nights, as long as this maintained, there would be a Happy Hector this evening.

A Sunday in Life

Marg had international hockey practice this afternoon in Edinburgh, not too inconvenient as it happened. Hector arranged to meet Howard at Monty’s, where else? Marg arrived as hoped @17.30, there was a table reservation for 18.00 at Rustom Restaurant. Yasi was at the door of the Curry House to meet us. Hugs for Hector and only the fourth visit, however, Rustom Restaurant is already on the list of Hector’s Recommended Curry Houses.

Howard and Hector have previously enjoyed sharing a kilo of the Lamb Karahi (£24.95) at Rustom Restaurant both on-the-bone and boneless. Marg didn’t know it, but she would be the determinant of which version  was ordered this evening. Two can easily share a kilo of – on-the-bone, when Marg declared her interest we had to go – boneless. Ordering a half kilo (£17.95) was out of the question, however, who knows, they may have done – a deal.

We needed something else, just in case. I suggested a Vegetable Main Dish to share, I let my fellow diners choose. Howard spotted Aloo Anda (£8.45). Potato and Egg Curry? This was right up Hector’s street (-food).

Yasi was on hand to take the Order, I pitched my Chilli & Coriander Naan (£3.95) once again, Howard took the Chilli & Cheese Naan (£3.95) option, Marg would stick to her usual solitary Chapatti (£1.95). Check the price of Bread, are we in Aberdeen? Last Sunday Marg and Hector enjoyed 50p Naans at Bab-e-khyber (Glasgow).

Drinks were required, a litre of bottle of Sparkling Water (£4.95) for Marg and Hector and a glass of Fresh Orange & Lemonade (£2.50) for Howard. The Order noted, Poppadoms were offered. Marg insisted on having one with Mango Chutney. Whilst this amused Marg, we sat back and waited the advertised half hour wait for the Lamb Karahi to be prepared.

Sunni, the co-host came over to greet, sporting a beard. Marg was introduced, one is always made welcome at Rustom Restaurant.

The wait was distinctly less than thirty minutes, I hoped this was not a – rushed job. All the food was assembled on a stand beside the table. There should be a fanfare when the lid is removed from the karahi.

Lamb Karahi

The now customary Ginger Strips and Fresh Coriander topped the beautifully Thick and far from excessive Masala. This time, no large Green Chillies. It was very much a case of – lady first – as we divvied up our share. There would be enough for three, just.

Howard was first to make a remark – so tender meat.

Indeed, I took a hint of Pickle from the overall Flavour, quite different from the – Desi Karahi – served on previous visits, I was not getting the full-on depth of Flavour I had hoped for. For me, tonight’s Lamb Karahi was closer to – Mainstream – than Desi/Apna. I put this down to the lack of – bones – and possibly the shorter preparation time.

Aloo Anda

This was closer to having a Masala Mash than a blended mixture a la Guacamole. I had probably expected something closer to the latter and so was even more pleased with what arrived.

The Egg is hot – observed Marg, good, Hector likes hot food. Howard followed with:

A definite kick to it.

We had heat and Spice, I was happy to note how well Seasoned the Aloo Anda was also, this was quite a Dish. The Flavour from this lingered long afterwards, that would be down to the Egg then.

I haven’t forgotten about the Breads. The Wholemeal Chapatti was a decent size and disappeared quite quickly. Marg knows she can always rely on a top-up from whatever Bread I order.

I have to compliment the Chilli & Coriander Naan. This was a sensible, and therefore manageable, size. The thickness was exactly what I seek in a Naan, yet it was classically – light and fluffy – and had the welcomed burnt blisters. This may well be the best Naan of this type I have had. That every morsel was eaten, with Marg’s assistance, says it all.

The outer part of the Chilli & Cheese Naan was- in the style, the centre had not risen.

I am still new to Cheese Naans and so had to ask to what extent there was a layer of Cheese inside. Whatever the composition, I was assured there was not much cheese.

We had finished eating, still in good time for Kinross, Marg ordered Coffee (£2.50). I asked for – The Bill – this was accompanied by some Chocolate, good timing.

The reports from my fellow diners, firstly, Howard:

The lamb was very tender, excellent flavour, quite a high spice level. The side dish also had spice to it. My only issue was the lack of cheese in the Naan, but still it was very good. We were well looked after, an excellent dining experience.

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Marg was on a Coffee and Chocolate high:

I like the ambiance of the place, very mannerable waiters. I thoroughly enjoyed the succulent lamb though it had a high spice content. The Aloo Anda was a change. Overall, a very worthwhile visit, the Coffee and Chocolate added the icing to the cake.

The Bill

£54.75 Over £10.00 for Bread, we need more sensible prices a la Bradford.

The Aftermath

There had to be an updated photo of Yasi and Sunni. There was a lot of handshaking and more hugs on departure.

Don’t worry, I’ll be back – I said to Yasi.

I don’t worry – was his reply.

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Back Stage at The Green Hotel

Forty minutes later we were at The Green Hotel, Kinross. Back Stage at The Green Hotel is becoming a regular venue for bands of a certain size. Clive Nolan will be back here later in the year with Arena, Hector is due to be elsewhere and none of the other dates in the tour look possible. Across from the Green Hotel is the Loch Leven Brewery, had we known, we would have been here earlier.

Having greeted Rachel who manages all things Pendragon, we entered the room to find the majority of people sitting. Ninety seats, on a first come basis, had we known we would have been here earlier. I estimated some fifty more standing, as we were right at the back, get here early.

Pete Jones, the support, was already on stage. A singer/piano player, the audience paid due reverence to his self composed material. The recognisable piano intro to The Musical Box (Genesis) caused a stir, that went down well. Whilst I excused myself, Marg witnessed the performance of a song by a famous chap who abandoned his Greek name. Wham! Marg probably enjoyed the set more than I did, more her sort of thing. The Tiger Moth Tales album may become a stocking filler later in the year.

Pendragon took to the stage just before 21.00. Clive kicked things off with an elaborate organ variation on the opening track before getting into the somewhat cheesy organ intro for Everything. Nick timed his arrival on stage for the guitar sequence that is – pure Pendragon. Starfish and the Moon followed straight on as it had to, a quiet outro to the opening song.

Nick is always happy to see his audience, his band, his music. The banter between Nick and the audience can become strange, quite strange. Is Kinross related to ‘knell? – Nick had to ask, just to get this out of his system.

There is a lyrical earworm that has probably affected every person who has listened to Love Over Fear. The chorus of the following Truth and Lies – deeper and deeper down the rabbit hole – is sung over a quiet guitar sequence. Tonight, Mark Westwood (Magenta/She) would play acoustic fills throughout the set. We had two lady backing singers also, the model from the last tour. When the acoustic/light guitar sequence ended, piano led to the guitar, here we go … sustain, and a magnificent four minute instrumental sequence that marks the for me, the true beginning of the album. From here on, everything rocks, this is Pendragon. A keyboard motif brings the track to a close, we could have had more minutes of this, let Clive loose.

…and Nick Barrett on Mandolin

The Mandolin had to be introduced to the audience, more banter. Fortunately, tonight there was less of a – sing-along – the bonus of the album being recently released.

360º, a sea shanty, a celtic connection, whatever, a bizarre song which breaks up the mood of what comes before and after. Zoe Devensih managed to combine her backing vocal duties with some appropriate sounding violin on 360º and the following song Soul and the Sea which is a much calmer, more atmospheric offering.

Eternal – summer, swallows and amazons – hear (sic) we go again. Eternal, an eight minute plus epic, if that is an epic, with vocal synth sounds courtesy of Clive, could well be the best track on the album. It simply builds and builds a la Pendragon. The guitar motif mid song may well have been – borrowed – from the Pendragon back catalogue, however, the guitar break towards the end is more of what we want.

Water again starts gently, with some tasty fretless bass from Peter Gee. A gentle rocker of a song and only two seconds under the eight minutes, maybe the guitar break on this song matches the wonder of – Eternal?

Whirlwind, another ballad, is stripped down, just piano and vocals until the song develops, brave and well delivered. Thankfully the audience, to a man, continually showed due reverence, no private conversations going on to spoil the intimate atmosphere for all. Who Really Are We gets back to the Pendragon stomping sound. The intro is not far away from my favourite Indigo but goes off in another direction with more acoustic fill required by Mark Westwood. This song feels somehow so familiar, as though we have been hearing it for years. Afraid of Everything finishes the album and the first part of the concert. The big keyboard theme towards the end was a beautiful way to bring this to a conclusion.

The ninety stood for a standing ovation. I expected a break between this and the part two, alas, after a few moments we were off again. The legs hated me, I could have done with a walk. For Brand X we’ll get here and claim a seat.

The Walls of Babylon (The Window of Life, 1993) has started many a Pendragon gig and so was the obvious song to kick off the second half. The Wishing Well: II. Sou’ by Sou’ West (Believe, 2005) kept the – sea – references coming this evening. Indigo (Pure, 2008), take a bow, Mr. Barrett, a song of such complexity, you’ll never write a better one, until you do. This Green and Pleasant Land (Passion, 2011) had to be played then the surprise of the night for Hector. Paintbox (The Masquerade Overture, 1996) may well be the inspiration for some of the sounds, arrangements, in Love Over Fear. Faces of Light (Men Who Climb Mountains, 2014), well there had to be something played from the last album was followed by the showstopper – Breaking the Spell (The Window of Life, 1993). Nick Barrett, guitar legend.

Masters of Illusion (The Masquerade Overture, 1996) was the encore, maybe all of Pendragon in one song? The stomping beginning could easily have gone to fade out, instead another direction is found and the song progresses toward another classic Barrett riff. Progressive Rock!

It was nearly Monday, in a few months Marg will no longer consider this  to be a school night. Google Maps took us back via the Kincardine Bridge, next time we’ll stick to the motorway.

Until next week in Lódz…