It was that time of year when Magenta come home together to play their now annual Acapela Studios show. Fresh from watching the Big Big Train gig in Newport the night before, Robert Reed, Tina Booth & Chris Fry are once again joined by bandmates Jiffy Griffiths on Drums and Dan Nelson on Bass.
Adding some additional colour to the mainly acoustic gig tonight are regular guests Claudine Cassidy on Cello, Karla Johnsson on Oboe and Katie Axelsn on Flute.
Rob informs us at the beginning of the show that recorder player Extraordinaire Sir Les Penning was due to be special guest but was unable to attend due to illness which caused a hum of disappointment but accepted with good grace. But his presence was felt, more of that later,
Regulars at the Magenta Acapela know the format of the show by now. The first half is made up of solo work by the members of the band and the second half is mainly acoustic reimagined versions of Magenta classics from throughout their career. And tonight was no different.
First up we have the band on stage minus Ms Booth as the focus goes onto guitarist Chris Fry for a lovely classical piece. He really is an underestimated guitar player within the Prog fraternity and takes the opportunity to show his considerable skill, especially on acoustic guitar. If you know Steve Hackett's work on Bay Of King with a little added acoustic instrumentation you wouldn't be far off the mark. Chris' enthusiasm is contagious and he has the audience on his side immediately. Self effacing, he is the consummate professional and a gentleman to boot.
The first of Robert Reed's pieces tonight is a brand new tune from his as yet to be completed new solo album, Sanctuary 4 - named after and as tribute to the Missing Maestro tonight - Mr Penning.
With just Chris on acoustic guitar to accompany him, it's a glimpse of what is to to come on Rob's next project - and it's gorgeous.
The next tune is another piece from Sanctuary that the band call Albatross. Well worked and gives a good indication of what the first three Sanctuary albums are all about.
For those who attended Acapela 3 last year, one of the biggest surprises came in the form of Jiffy Griffiths. Everyone knows how good a drummer he is but only a handful knew how good a pianist he is too. Tonight he just dazzled at the Piano as he played a composition of his own. Truly unexpected (for some) and it brought some of the biggest applause of the night.
Tina - as singer is always the centre of attention and the stage literally lights up once again as she gets her chance in the spotlight with versions of Anger and I'm Alive. She really is a force of nature on stage and is as funny as hell. As many who have heard her onstage put downs to audience members will testify.
Here's a period piece of an acoustic version of I'm Alive for you.
The Acapela Shows are always the perfect opportunity to try something different. Last year's Kate Bush Hounds Of Love cover went down so well, the band thought they'd have a go at another Kate classic and tonight we are treated to a heart stopping version of Kate's early classic, The Man With The Child In His Eyes. As far as I'm concerned Tina could do a whole night of Kate Bush songs and I'd pay good money to see that!
Next up - a real surprise as the band resurrect Trippa.
For those out there who aren't aware, Trippa was Rob and Tina way back in their Pop Band.
They played two Trippa songs tonight. Shattered and Where Are You. Catch this period video with Tina on Lead Vocals and a youthful Rob Reed on Bass for the day.
After this trip down memory lane the band pull one of their most famous covers out of the hat with their version of YES' Wonderous Stories - which they do SO well.
After a short break we are again ready for some more Magenta Magic. Part Two is always given over to Band tracks so it came as some surprise to see Jiffy Griffiths sit at the piano again and with Booth keeping him company - hold the silence - and then launch into the piano intro to Queen's Seven Seas Of Rye with Mr Reed on Drums and Chris Fry on Guitar. You could physically feel the crowd just gasp for a few seconds before the joke was over - I reckon that would have made the show for a vast majority of the audience.
The Band set kicks off with a section from the epic track of the band's last album We Are Legend - , Trojan. Stripped of it's album sheen it's quite a different song and gives all of the musicians a chance to shine.
Here's a snippet of the epic monster of a track - and acoustically it's totally different.
Make sure you have a comfort break when offered - one lucky fella got the band to halt the set when he left the room - only to be given his own theme (actually it was These Are A Few Of My Favourite Things from The Sound Of Music)by the band while he was out. And a telling off from Ms Booth, in jest.
Next up is Lust from the fans favourite Magenta album Seven.
Last Years Angels and Damned 20th Anniversary gig showcased the albums Revolutions and Home and with another performance due next next year, the band took the opportunity to highlight some of the epic tracks from these albums which sound absolutely sensational in their new acoustic treatments.
Firstly the spotlight falls on HOME.
A beautiful version of Towers Of Hope from the newly re-released Home really is a chance for Tina to show her full range and the quality of her vocals tonight is truly astonishing. Sensual, vulnerable but with an inner steel.
Towers Of Hope
Demons follows and then we're into Morning Sunlight. The new version of Home really needs your attention and is absolutely magnificent - so get out and buy it.
Morning Sunlight
A spine tingling version of Journey's End completes the HOME section of the performance.
We now turn to REVOLUTIONS - the band's first album and a real conceptual Prog Epic.
This section opens with White Witch. Another track that takes on a different guise when turned into an acoustic tour de force. And it loses none of it's power or sense of drama.
The White Witch
Those who know the album can tell we are coming to the end of the show when the first notes of The Warning come into view. This is the chance for Mr Fry to shine - which he does - for a very short, by live standards, electric guitar solo. Well, it IS supposed to be an acoustic show!! (sniggers)
An amazing round of applause goes up and a standing ovation is the worthy response to a fabulous evening.
The band leave the stage to rapturous applause. But they have one last surprise in store.
Anyone who was paying attention to the half time music might have put two and two together as Rob played some of his influences over the sound system including ABBA and a selection of film themes.
And when Tina took to her seat nobody could see what was going to come next. Well there again, the band ARE Welsh.
The band played an amazing version of the Bond/Shirley Bassey classic, Diamonds Are Forever.
This brought the house down and I think even the band were surprised at the positive reaction they had. Prog shows know no boundaries.
Diamonds Are Forever
They band then gave us one more encore with King Of The Skies.
King Of The Skies
The word among the audience after and during the show was that this was the best Acapela performance so far. Devoid of guests it was pure Magenta.
They are such a special band. Fearless in musical terms. They don't take themselves SO seriously which in a genre renowned for it's perceived seriousness is a feat within itself.
Only one more thing to say - see you there again in 2020.
If you want to see what you've been missing for the last few years - here is a link where you can purchase the special dvd/cd set of the Magenta 2016/17 Acapela performances.
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