‘A Flare On The Lens’ features the band’s full show at Cadogan Hall from the second of their two nights there last year and also includes seven songs which were played only on the first night, which means we have eighteen songs and a total running time of more than 160 minutes (note, this has been cut back on the double vinyl release). From some comments and fades it is obvious this is not a complete set run through as such, something I always like my live albums to be like, but the performances from all those involved are so sumptuous I am prepared to overlook it.
The line-up for these shows was Alberto Bravin (lead vocals, guitars, keyboards), Nick D'Virgilio (drums & percussion, vocals), Rikard Sjöblom (guitars, keyboards, vocals), Greg Spawton (bass, bass pedals), Oskar Holldorff (keyboards, vocals), and Clare Lindley (violin, vocals) along with Maria Barbieri (guitars) and The Big Big Train Brass Ensemble which takes me back to the days when prog bands toured with orchestras so all power to BBT for doing this in the current commercial environment. By now Bravin had taken command of the vocals and it is nice to hear him following his own path through the older material and not attempting to be a David Longdon clone. Mind you, when I say older material, I mean songs from albums as long ago as ‘The Underfall Yard’ and ‘English Electric’ – the former is the older of the two, coming out in 2009, by which time BBT had already released six albums and had two other lead singers. It clearly demonstrates just how much the band has changed since then as the contrast between those early albums and what they produced with Longdon on board is stark as Greg used the opportunity to totally rebuild the band by bringing in the likes of Nick D’Virgilio and Dave Gregory.
This is a progressive rock band who should be selling out arenas and not just large halls, as they are performing massively complex and layered progressive rock which is accessible and majestic in so many ways. Everyone knows their place in the arrangement and ensures they are not overplaying while also demonstrating their skills and providing wonderful harmony vocals yet somehow allowing plenty of room for Bravin to always be the focal point. When I started reviewing the Poole boys a million years ago at the time of their first demo tape, I never imagined they would reach the heights they are achieving today, and I am sure Greg feels the same way. BBT are now one of the top progressive bands around, and this album clearly captures that. If you have a favourite BBT track then it is probably here, from “Folklore” to “Swan Hunter” or “Brooklands”, and is an absolutely essential release.
