MARILLION – With Friends at St. David’s
- Posted on 24-06-2021
What we have here is a wonderful 2CD set containing an exceptionally atmospheric and deftly executed live performance from a 2019 show in Cardiff by the British prog rock pioneers Marillion. That in itself ought to tell you all you need to know and get you excited, but we shall proceed as we usually fucking do and briefly summarize the many qualities of this stellar output, okay?
Accompanied by a string quartet as well as Emma Halnan (flute) and Sam Morris (French horn), these classy and incredibly well-crafted compositions sound absolutely stunning and resonate with depth, power, and meaning. Infinitely tight but never rigid, the group is in great shape and firing on all cylinders while the string sections and additional instrumentation add color and different textures to the beautiful arrangements. Choosing favorites and standout tracks is a rather tricky affair as there is nothing but soul-stirring renditions of fabulous tunes old and new present on the discs, but the bleak and majestic "Gaza", the sophisticated and almost ethereal "Ocean Cloud", and the brooding "The New Kings" are arguably the most climactic, monumental cuts that are on display here.
Huge and cinematic in scope but also strangely intimate and emotionally charged, these two superb discs are a glorious reminder of what makes Marillion and their impressive catalogue of songs so vital-sounding, timeless, and utterly magnificent. Warm, vibrant, and riveting, "With Friends at St. David’s" is a stellar offering that fans of the band and progressive music in general ought to find stimulating and musically rewarding. Remarkable stuff by the legendary outfit!