Author: Peter Podbrežnik
Artist: Arena
Label: Verglas Records
Released: 2003
Running time: 54:14
Rating: 3.5/5
Arena marked the release of their conceptual masterpiece »Contagion« (2003) with three ‘companion’ albums, stuffed with all kinds of tasty goodies for every loyal devotee of these English prog rock champions. »Radiance«, the most interesting of the three companion releases that came out to promote »Contagion«, captures an acoustic show by the neo-prog greats in the de Boerderii hall in the town of Zoetermer in the Netherlands. On a November evening in 2002, the three members of Arena, keyboard wizard Clive nolan, guitar sorcerer John Mitchell and first-class vocalist Rob Sowden, decided to play an acoustic set in the intimate atmosphere of that Dutch venue, built mainly around songs from »Contagion« plus a few classics from other albums. The crowd’s response exceeded all three members’ expectations, and while running through the reworked Arena standards they also had a bit of fun with some jokes, which goes especially for Nolan, in great spirits on piano and backing vocals.
Most of the songs come off really interesting in their new versions, starting with the opener, the »The Visitor« (1998) classic »(Don’t Forget To) Breathe«, reworked into an acoustic ballad where Clive’s backing vocals get more of the spotlight, while the ‘main star’ Mr. Sowden delivers an emotionally all-in vocal performance. »A State Of Grace«, where Rob’s voice takes center stage again, turns out a true dramatic climax even in its acoustic outfit, with the backing vocal harmonies, arranged by Mitchell and Nolan, coming into their own over piano and acoustic guitar. That’s followed by a run of songs from »Contagion«, starting with »An Angel Falls«, where the traditionally enigmatic mood is carried on the wings of a melodramatic vocal confession that spills over in the very next moment into »Spectre At the Feast«. This vocally demanding track, with its melodic piano arrangements, is one of the highlights of this acoustic recording.
»Skin Game«, according to Nolan the band’s favorite »Contagion« standard, has an almost equally melodramatic atmosphere as the original, while the mighty vocal interpretation goes a step further. The same could be said for »Bitter Harvest« and »The City of Lanterns«, which fall in no way short of their original electric versions in emotional depth and atmosphere, while »Mea Culpa« features not only a string of witty piano improvisations but also yet another brilliant vocal turn from the charismatic Sowden. »Ascension« somehow doesn’t reach the exceptional atmosphere of the original, but it still comes off very solid, followed by a burst of applause from the crowd. Next up is a series of popular Arena classics from the early days, starting with »Crying For Help IV«, which Clive interrupts a few times with humorous quips, cutting through the traditionally serious and gloomy atmosphere that usually defines the face and work of this excellent neo-prog collective.
The best proof that the trio didn’t take this acoustic show all that seriously can be heard during the performance of the gloomy »Immortal« (2000) classic »The Butterfly Man«, where they try, on the fly and totally off the cuff, to come up with a different ending, which ends up as a fun burlesque. Here Clive also fires off a few jokes at the expense of their co-chief, the absent drummer Mick Pointer. Of course, there’s also an acoustic take on a long-time crowd favorite, the »Songs From The Lions Cage« (1995) evergreen »Jericho«, which they thankfully play without the clowning around, so the whole thing comes off just as you’d expect. The piano and acoustic arrangements sound especially tasty here, while Sowden is once again at the peak of his vocal charisma. The closer, »Crying For Help VII«, with the crowd heavily helping out on the verses, is kind of predictable and doesn’t offer anything particularly new, although it makes for a satisfying end to the show.
»Radiance« is a lovely treat for all the loyal fans who were hungry for new Arena releases after »Contagion«, even if it’s ‘only’ a fully acoustic live album that answers the question of how some of their most beloved songs would sound in acoustic dress.
Line-up
Rob Sowden – vocals
John Mitchell – acoustic guitar, backing vocals
Clive Nolan – keyboards, backing vocals
Production
Arena
Track list
1. (Don’t Forget to) Breathe (3:54)
2. A State of Grace (3:31)
3. An Angel Falls (1:13)
4. Spectre at the Feast (5:51)
5. Skin Game (4:07)
6. Bitter Harvest (2:42)
7. The City of Lanterns (1:46)
8. Mea Culpa (3:42)
9. Ascension (4:15)
10. Crying for Help IV (3:41)
11. The Butterfly Man (7:49)
12. Jericho (7:54)
13. Crying for Help VII (3:44)
