Detailed Review [Clive Nolan - 2013 - "Alchemy Live" Box Set]

Prolusion. UK composer and musician Clive NOLAN is a household name within the progressive rock universe, and after the last few years probably establishing himself as a known entity also in other circles. He is arguably best known as a member of long lasting neo progressive band Pendragon, but have also been a member of a handful of other notable acts, in addition to contributing to the works of many other artists over the years. The last few years have seen Nolan concentrating on rock operas, or musicals if you like, and "Alchemy" is the latest of those. "Alchemy Live" documents the first live performance of this creation, and has been issued as a standalone DVD and as a deluxe box set edition. This review covers the latter, which consists of 2 DVDs and 3 CDs.

Main DVD (180:00)

TRACK LIST: 

Act I:
1.  Prologue
2.  Deception
3.  One for the Noose
4.  The Warning
5.  Amelia
6.  King Explains
7.  Desperate Days
8.  Planning a Break In
9.  Quaternary Plan
10. The Unwelcome Guest
11. Waiting for News
12. The Girl I Was
13. Highgate

Act II:
14. The Labyrinth
15. Ambush
16. Tide of Wealth
17. Jagman Arrives
18. The End Justifies the Means
19. Sanctuary
20. Street Fight
21. Amelia Dies
22. Burial at Sea
23. Share this Dream
24. Treachery
25. The Ritual
26. Anzeray Speaks
27. Aftermath

Bonus video:
The Making of Alchemy
Interview with Clive Nolan
Interview with Agnieszka Howita and David Clifford
Interview with Scott Higham and Mark Westwood

LINEUP:

Clive Nolan – vocals 
Scott Higham – drums 
Mark Westwood – guitar 
Claudio Momberg – keyboards 
Kylan Amos – bass  
Penny Gee – violin 
Ian Scott – horn 
Christopher Longman – vocals
Agniescszka Swita – vocals 
Tracy Hitchings – vocals 
Soheila Clifford – vocals 
Damian Wilson – vocals 
Victoria Bolley – vocals 
David Clifford – vocals 
Andy Scars – vocals 
Chris Lewis – vocals 
Paul Manzi – vocals 
+ 21 backing vocalists

Analysis. The Metal Mind series of DVD productions is impressively long, even if limited only to the progressive rock acts that have had the pleasure of creating live DVDs at Metal Mind's regular venue in Katowice, Poland. It is a series impressive in quality too; there's usually not a lot left to desire from any departments when you get a DVD with the Metal Mind logo on it. The quality of the artists’ performances is one of few variables, otherwise those of us who have seen our fair share of these productions know what to expect. This time around, for some reason or other, this production isn't quite at the mark I expected admittedly. Better in some instances but not quite as well made in others. The image quality is the bread and butter of a live DVD release, on par with the audio quality. When you opt to buy a DVD it is to be able to experience more than just the music, and then image quality is obviously important. As usual I find this to be of a high quality here. The blacks are black and not gray, the colors are by and large as rich as the recording conditions allow them to be. Effects such as red stage lights will obviously have a somewhat detrimental effect even if digitally corrected, but the quality is, as you can expect from a production of this kind with the budget limitations, you have if your name isn't Madonna or Bruce Springsteen. With one slight exception: some of the shots, first and foremost the full stage shots, occasionally have some subtle but visible artifacts. I guess most won't notice, and they are fairly similar looking to some of the effects caused by camera movement and stage lights too. So this isn't a major issue, but an occasional minor flaw, and something that probably isn't noticeable until you play the video on a relatively large TV set. The second massively important issue is sound quality, and again there's a high quality to this part of the package. The instruments and voices are sharply and clearly defined, and some of the individual vocal captures are downright astounding to my ears. On the negative side there are a few minor gripes however, but again very minor issues. Some of the vocals tend to drown a bit in the most hectic parts of the performance, whenever multiple vocals singing different lines come to play my impression is that the vocals tend to cancel each other out, and even more so when there's forceful, dramatic instrumentation supplementing those sequences. Nothing major as stated, and if you have the booklet at hand you'll be able to sort it out quite nicely. A minor flaw though, but of this is something that is at all possible to enhance when you're working with a live recording I really do not know. As for the performance itself it is a stellar one. The vocalists are in good form, and both body language and facial expressions enhance the different aspects of the story that unfolds in a very good manner. Soheila Clifford impressed me greatly in her minor role, and alongside Chris Lewis' impressive appearance at the end was the vocalist/actor that touched my emotional core most. I will also add that to make this performance into something of a costume drama is a highly effective move, making it so much easier for the ones who watch and listen to be taken into the story, and while the use of backdrops to literally set the scene may have been somewhat coarse this also works very well, mentally preparing the audience for a shift in mood and atmosphere in a manner more effective than any narrator might achieve. I will also have to complement the editing of the video footage, and while we're not treated to a massive variety of different angles and effect shots, alternating between focusing on whoever is having the lead vocals at any given point, distanced shots that enable us to see more of the body language and acting and full stage shots that allow us to take in the full context, are nicely and effectively executed in a manner that makes it a rewarding experience to watch this DVD. There's a certain little detail that didn't quite pan out for me, floating faces have never been my thing, but that lacklustre effect aside the editing is very well executed indeed. Supplementing the musical itself are some bonus features, but I'm afraid that I can't really say too much about them. Something had happened to the reviewers copy I got of this DVD. Both copies in fact, as I got a standalone DVD in addition to this full box set. Both of these discs had an area of discoloration, sort of like a bleeding effect, and whenever my DVD player hits that area it started skipping. As my DVD player is old, sensitive and probably not with as strong a laser as it had some years ago this is hopefully just an issue for me. This faulty disc area affected all of the extra material, so apart from saying that the interviews looked interesting I am unable to say anything else about this additional hour or so of material.

Bonus DVD (62:00)

TRACK LIST: 

1.  Alchemy Advert
2.  Amelia Sting
3.  King Sting
4.  Anzeray Sting
5.  Jagman Sting
6.  Farrell Sting
7.  Milosh Sting
8.  Eva Sting
9.  Jessamine Sting
10. Gardelle Sting
11. Greaves Sting
12. Muncey Sting
13. An Interview with Clive Nolan
14. The Fundraisers - A Tribute
15. Zoetermeer Fundraiser - Covenant of Faith
16. Zoetermeer Fundraiser - Closer
17. Zoetermeer Fundraiser - Desperate Days
18. Zoetermeer Fundraiser - The Warning
19. Guitars for Alchemy with Mark Westwood
20. Magda's HandyCam Diary
21. Clive Nolan Discusses the Alchemy Themes

Analysis. The bonus DVD contains an extra hours worth of material that first and foremost appears to be aimed at truly dedicated fans of Clive Nolan or Alchemy the musical. A nice enough advert, followed by dramatic (and subtly humorous at times) summaries of the main characters in the play. Followed by a pleasant and informative interview with Clive Nolan, were those interested get to know a bit more about the whole process of creating this particular musical alongside some other interesting details. A nice collection of shots from the individual fundraisers for the live version of Alchemy, for a theatrical performance that took place in England at about the same time as this live production was launched I believe, documenting that the main persons have worked a lot with this project. Four songs taped at one specific fundraiser are also included, and I note that two of these songs don't appear on the live performance covered on this DVD. Those with an interest in technical matters will enjoy to see the recording of some guitar parts, courtesy of Mark Westwood, and what appears to be shots from the event in Katowice recorded by a handheld video camera another nice enough addition, for the specially interested at least. The main reason to watch this bonus DVD comes at the very end however, at least as far as my interest field goes. Nolan goes through the different recurring themes of the musical, tells us a bit about the circumstances around their creation, how they are used and utilized, and how the musical, at least to some extent, revolves around these themes. As well as why it has to be that way. A highly informative addition to the contents of this box set, to be enjoyed after you have seen the performance.

CD 1: Act I (62:13)

TRACK LIST: 

1.  Prologue 3:13
2.  Deception 5:53
3.  One for the Noose 5:43
4.  The Warning 4:09
5.  Amelia 4:17
6.  King Explains 5:30
7.  Desperate Days 2:50
8.  Planning a Break In 1:22
9.  Quaternary Plan 5:21
10. The Unwelcome Guest 5:00
11. Waiting for News 4:30
12. The Girl I Was 6:14
13. Highgate 8:11

Analysis. As the first act unfolds on this live CD edition, it becomes more and more clear that Alchemy is a musical rather than a rock opera. First and foremost due to the fact that the rock band instrumental backing here is incidental, as you steadily get more familiar with the compositions, themes and motifs, it becomes all the more clear that this is a creation that, if not written for a more traditional musical performance in mind, then it will be easy to rearrange it to that format. With or without traditional rock music instruments included. The chorus sections of the songs start to stick in a manner that also invites to associations towards the musical genre, and the story itself is also one that would fit right in there, I suspect: Some mystery, some action, some intrigue and with a love story on the side. A tale that has all the ingredients to appeal to a broad audience. Although the notion of a group of people getting together more or less by chance to go on a fateful quest isn't the most innovative around it is a well know concept, and the familiarity of the type of concept itself will make it fairly easy to accept the overall storyline. The musicians backing the vocal roles do so with a calm security, and although the instruments do dominate a bit too much at times, especially in the earliest phase, the vocalists are pretty soon the dominating force, as they should be in such a production. There's a general tendency for some of them to be a tad too sharp with s and t sounds, at least when listening to these recordings through headphones, but there's also a greater vitality and energy to the performances of the kind that you will never get in a studio recording of material of this specific kind. Live performances on stage, with several others sharing the stage with you and an audience watching, that setting will always inspire emotions you can never truly replicate in a recording studio. That is the positive aspect of a live recording. True enough, you will capture any minor or major flaws, but the sheer emotional impact of a live performance adds a very distinct quality and nerve to the material. As was the case with the DVD edition I'll highlight Soheila Clifford as the most impressive performer. If she is a stellar talent or if she had the performance of a lifetime when this recording was made I don't know, but the just about perfect voice control she has combined with the emotions conveyed in her performance is one that hits right home with me, elevating one of the more pleasant pieces here, Desperate Days, to a truly worthwhile experience. Otherwise a general observation of the compositions is that they are by and large cleverly designed, with plenty of singalong moments, effective use of alternating calm and dramatic sequences that create a natural nerve and contrast, and the vocalists all are well aware of the scope of their roles and the emotions they need to convey to make the songs as well as the storyline to work. While arguably not a masterful execution, with a slightly rusty start, it is a most enjoyable ride we're taken on here. A performance that merits a hearty applause.

CD 2: Act II (57:37)

TRACK LIST: 

1.  The Labyrinth 4:42
2.  Ambush 3:09
3.  Tide of Wealth 6:00
4.  Jagman Arrives 1:47
5.  The End Justifies the Means 3:36
6.  Sanctuary 5:46
7.  Street Fight 3:27
8.  Amelia Dies 3:23
9.  Burial at Sea 6:29
10. Share This Dream 3:40
11. Treachery 4:23
12. The Ritual 2:11
13. Anzeray Speaks 5:05
14. Aftermath 3:59

Analysis. As the second act of this musical unfolds, my main impression is that this act isn't quite at the level as the opening act as regarded from a musical context only, an impression I believe I had also for the studio version of this production. After having seen the live performance on DVD I will have to conclude that there are certain passages here that function much better when performed on stage than as a standalone piece of music, perhaps because there are quite a few storylines that need to be concluded in this final act. It is not that any of the compositions are weak as such however, but more a case of how the story interferes with the music, so to speak, and without visual aids the momentum takes an abrupt halt. As far as the story is concerned I find that it functions better in this live performance, the added emotional impact a stage performance inspires adding more life, nerve and tension to the proceedings in general. There is, perhaps, a bit too much drama at times, as one dramatic high follows the next towards the conclusion of the story. Still, the story maintains focus on what is the ultimate goal, and the manner in which the story ends is an intriguing one. And as for all good stories, a loose thread is left at the end there that does make it possible to craft a sequel too. Generally strong performances from all parties concerned, but the over the top performance of Chris Lewis is the one that truly impressed the most. I have to admit that I generally don't like vocalists using his particular technique, but in this setting and this context the sheer emotional impact overpowered that personal taste in vocals. Which, I guess, says a lot about the quality of the performance and the sheer emotional force utilized. I will have to admit that I'm not overly fond of musicals as such, and while this one is performed within a rock music context it is still a musical. I really enjoyed this one though, but I found the total experience more interesting when being able to see it performed than it was to just listen to the music. And while my comments here might sound critical there's a lot to enjoy here, and those more fond of musicals than what I am should find this production to be an intriguing experience both with and without the images from the stage performance enhancing the impact of the songs. A composition like the jubilant Tide of Wealth or the solemn, sombre Burial at Sea are two of many tracks that should have a broad appeal. To this set of ears Anzeray Speaks is the clear highlight however, the forceful, dramatic aggression conveyed so masterfully on this song a goosebumps-inducing joyride.

Bonus CD (73:49)

TRACK LIST: 

1.  Overture - Song of the Dark 7:30
2.  The Holy Bond 4:00
3.  Amelia First Draft 4:07
4.  The Unwelcome Guest Early Version 4:57
5.  Desperate Days Soheila Mix 2:43
6.  Ambush Original Demo 3:14
7.  Tide of Wealth with Bass Milosh 5:58
8.  Invisible Victoria Mix 3:43
9.  The Romans are Coming 3:58
10. Burial at Sea Original Demo 7:44
11. Sanctuary Clive and Noel Mix 4:33
12. The Nightmare 5:15
13. Street Fight Original Demo 3:29
14. Snow Chase 5:09
15. The Graveyard 6:51
16. Final Chords First Version 0:38

LINEUP:

Clive Nolan - all instruments; vocals
Agniescszka Swita – vocals 
David Clifford – vocals 
Victoria Bolley – vocals 
Noel Calcaterra – vocals 
Tracy Hitchings – vocals 
Soheila Clifford – vocals 
Peter Hughes – vocals

Analysis. The bonus CD in this box set is filled to the brim with material that should intrigue all those interested in learning a bit about how a musical was developed, with plenty of notes in the booklet that explain thoroughly why just these demos, drafts, alternative versions and pieces of music, apparently totally unrelated to "Alchemy", have been selected for this bonus disc. The reasons for the inclusions are plentiful, and most of them are rather interesting too. As far as I'm concerned this is the part of the package where I used the booklet most to read up on what was going on, partially to confirm suspicions and partially to seek answers and explanations. A track such as The Romans Are Coming isn't among the most obvious inclusions for instance, and you would never understand why the instrumental Snow Chase is here without seeking that reference either, a rather interesting little detail that one. Invisible is another interesting creation, revealing a partially missing piece of the storyline in "Alchemy", but at the same time it is, at least to my mind, fairly obvious why this one wasn't included. Apart from assembling various bits and pieces that have a direct or indirect tie-in with this musical, it is also interesting to note just how well many of these compositions function also in at times fairly rudimentary arrangements. At least to my mind the compositions that are mainly carried by the lead vocals appear just about as interesting here as in the final versions, in a case or two I would personally prefer the songs to have been kept more or less in the same manner as they appear in these versions. More or less, as there are certain instrumental details that obviously don't have the expected quality, as one would expect from demo recordings and early takes. Still, this bonus CD is of good enough quality that it could have been issued as a CD of its own. That the contents would have made its commercial appeal severely limited is another story of course, but with just a tad of additional work this would have been a very good independent release. As far as bonus material for a box set goes, I'd say that this is excellent value for money in that context, even if this part of the package will most likely be inspected by the specially interested only.

Conclusion. This monumental box set, containing more than 7 hours of material, is one that goes straight into the books as excellent value for money. The main DVD is the best part of the package, with 2 hours of a high quality performance supplemented with an hours worth of extra material, and while I found the live CDs to be somewhat less interesting than the DVD these are excellent productions in their own right as well, especially for fans of musical I might add. The bonus DVD is a bit more of a so-so affair in its own right, but interesting enough for fans of Clive Nolan and his Alchemy project, while the bonus CD is arguably the most interesting production as far as all the additional material goes. "Alchemy Live" comes highly recommended to fans of both Clive Nolan and musicals, especially those with a soft spot for slightly tall tales, and unless you're only interested in the stage performance or you have to deal with a limited budget, this extensive box set is the one you should treat yourself to.

OMB=Olav M Bjornsen: April 20 to 24, 2014
The Rating Room