ARENA – Breakfast in Biarritz

ROCK PROGRESSIF
Sortie : Mars 2001
MUSEA - PRODUCTION & DISTRIBUTION
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ARENA – Breakfast in Biarritz
VGCD 1021
L’histoire: elle commence en 1995 avec l’album “Songs from the lion’s cage”. Dirigé par ses deux créateurs, le claviériste Clive Nolan
(Shadowland, Pendragon,…) et le batteur Mick Pointer (ex-Marillion), Arena s’impose d’emblée comme un des meneurs de la nouvelle
vague progressive. « Pride » en 1996, mixé par Simon Hanhart (Marillion,…) confirme la classe du groupe, et est suivi d’une tournée
mondiale. Un premier live s’ensuit en 1997 « Welcome to the stage ». “The visitor” en 1998 connaît un véritable triomphe, et sera suivi en
2000 d’ « Immortal ?”,avec le bassiste Ian Salmon (Shadowland) et un nouveau chanteur, Rob Sowden.
L’album: La renommée d’Arena en concert n’est plus à faire, et la fidélité de ses fans n’est plus à démontrer. Le groupe a gagné la plupart
des prix aux Britain’s classic rock awards. Sa marque de fabrique : des chansons bien écrites, dans la veine des premiers Marillion, des
arrangements très directs et élaborés à la fois, des claviers sophistiqués et un guitariste aussi talentueux que porteur d’émotion, John Mitchell.
Enregistré à l’automne 2000, ce nouveau « live », qui inclut tous les « classiques » du groupe, est une édition spéciale et limitée, avec un CD
bonus : trois morceaux supplémentaires, et un CD-Rom documentaire sur Arena, avec interviews de tous les membres du groupe, et
nombreux extraits de clips et concerts.
Arena's journey commenced in 1995 with the album "Songs From The Lions Cage". At the time consisting of singer John Carson, bass
player Cliff Orsi, guitarist Keith More and the two creators, drummer Mick Pointer (ex-Marillion) and keyboard player Clive Nolan,
Arena quickly became one of the leading progressive bands around. The following year, now working with renowned engineer/producer
Simon Hanhart behind the mixing desk, Arena released "Pride" and embarked on a successful world tour, now with Paul Wrightson
(vocals)and John Jowitt (bas)s. 1997 saw the welcoming of new guitar player John Mitchell and the making of the "The Cry" EP. In the
same year, Mitchell also proved to be a competent producer and engineer when he oversaw the live album "Welcome to the Stage". Arena
carried on with the making of studio album number three, now with Hanhart and Nolan sharing the producer's chair. In the spring of 1998
the world witnessed the birth of "The Visitor"; Arena's best selling album to date, and months of touring followed.
The song writing trio Nolan, Pointer and Mitchell entered their own "programming suite" during late 1999 and created the music for
"Immortal?" , with bass player Ian Salmon (Shadowland) and new singer Rob Sowden,and the past few months have been spent in Thin Ice
Studios, with the dedicated and successful team Nolan/Hanhart once again responsible for the production
The album:
Acknowledged as a stunning live act, Arena have a strong following, allowing them to tour Europe regularly with great respond from the
audience. Winning most of the prizes possible in Britain's Classic Rock Awards, there is no doubt this is a band highly appreciated by the
listeners. Their new live album, recorded throughout the autumn tour of 2000, is released to coincide with said European trip. Their
trademarks have become many over the years; well-written songs, in early-Marillion’s vein, powerful arrangements and elaborate keyboard
playing, compelling guitar work by skilful yet emotional six string master Mitchell. This wonderfully produced album includes all their best
pieces over the years: It’s a special Limited edition with bonus CD: three extra-tracks, and a CD-Rom documentary about Arena, with
interviews from all members of the band and live/ clip extracts. a tremendous album!
Disc 1
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Moviedrome 21’57
Crack in the Ice 4’25
Double vision 4’27
Midas Vision 5’16
Serenity 2’01
The Butterfly man 9’44
The hanging tree 8’26
A state of grace 3’10
Enemy without 4’53
Crying for help VII 5’11
Disc 2
1 . Chosen 6’30
2. Elea 2’34
3. Friday’s Dream 4’37
4. ARENA documentary (CD-ROM track)
DM 4