Abel Ganz, The Dreaming Tree & Beckonsale

[eloy1964]

It was a cold and frosty night but no more snow in the wilds of South Yorkshire. Montgomery hall, Wath Upon Dearne, the new home to the Classic Rock Society beckons. First impressions – looking forward to seeing Abel Ganz again, excited about The Dreaming Tree, only seen on myspace and very disappointed with the break up of Quecia. My Photos can be found on myspace:

http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/inde...lbumId=1148866

After a warm welcome from some old faces on the door it was time to check out the beer, the best warm up act available on tap! The new venue even had seating! Must remember this to encourage the wife and family for future gigs.
The Quecia replacement was a very young Thrash metal outfit called Beckonsale (http://www.myspace.com/beckonsale). It came as quite a shock for the audience who expected a night of prog!, but they were very well received and appreciated. I only wish my daughter had been aware since she loves their style music. Not being an expert in the domain of thrash it is hard for me to comment, only to say that they certainly rock. Musicianship was excellent, especially the drummer who only seemed like my 10 year old son! The hair of the group members seemed to keep good pace with the rhythm, glad they didn’t have dandruff – only jealous because mine fell out years ago! I would not be surprised if we hear a lot more from this group. Thanks for the free cd guys, I have passed one on to my daughter, who will look you up on myspace plus pass it on to school friends. I have also sent one down to a nephew in the south who plays for a school thrash outfit and should also appreciate it. Good luck and thanks for a great set of music. By the end I could see why your music appeals, just need a packed house and an active mosh pit and you will have it made.

Next up came The Dreaming Tree (http://www.myspace.com/thedreamingtreeuk), a group I had been looking forward to seeing. Once I saw them on the bill I had looked them up on myspace and listened to a few of their samples. The samples did not fully do justice to a superb class act. I really liked this lot, with many influences verging on neo-prog influences but just keeping out of that label. The last time I saw a similar powerful and influencial singer as Chris it was a very young Rick Asterly from The Cult, but singing great prog influenced rock. The bassist Jim Peterson reminded me of a young Chris Squire in both looks and live play – I must be getting to be the old fart that my family tell me I am since everyone is young!! I would love to hear their acoustic set, I would certainly recommend this group as a class live act.

I first saw Abel Ganz back in the 80’s when a great singer, namely Alan Reed who later moved on to Pallas, manned the front stage (http://www.myspace.com/abelganz). They were great back then with their epic symphonic Prog rock. I first saw the new line up last year at SEfest, but the sound problems for them didn’t help their cause. Back they have come though with a fresh new talent in Stuart MacFarlane and have moved from strength to strength. I love their music and live show, they are truly a great act and have a great sense of humour. I look forward to a new album with Stuart at the helm, that guy has some serious talent. Thanks guys for a great nights entertainment and I will certainly look forward to seeing you again, soon I hope. I only wish that more folk could have made it out, despite the cold and recession.

Nice review Steve.........thanks for sharing it with us.

[Siberian Khatru]

Nice one Eloy, I see they've changed the date of the Jan Akkerman concert to Saturday 4th April, that has messed it up for me as I'm working all day and can't go.

[eloy1964]

Hi SK, thanks for the news on the Jan Akkerman gigs. Can you make the 6th April gig in York instead? I will still go but could go to either, probably the York gig will be easier for me but do like to support the CRS where I can.

Originally Posted by Siberian Khatru

Nice one Eloy, I see they've changed the date of the Jan Akkerman concert to Saturday 4th April, that has messed it up for me as I'm working all day and can't go.

[Siberian Khatru]

Eloy - Looks like I am forced to pass on Jan A. sorry. I'm sure we can work another prog gig out to attend at some time. Focus are actually playing The Boardwalk in Sheffield on Wednesday 22nd April, see http://www.theboardwalklive.co.uk/ I will be going to that although if you saw them last year you probably won't want to see them again.