Title - 71319: Live at Monforti Manor [2CD]
Artist - Steve Unruh / Valerie Gracious / Phideaux Xavier
For those unaware, Phideaux Xavier had already played Monforti Manor several times, including the venues first show in October 2012. He also came back to open for a Guy Manning and a third time guest singing on an Arena track with Clive Nolan.
Steve Unruh had also been at the Manor with the Mark Trueack / Sean Timms side project called U.N.I.T db which played two shows at the Manor and RoSfest.
Steves set featured Steve playing many instruments and PX joining him for the last two tracks on, of all things, bass guitar. Valerie Graciouss contributions on vocals cannot be overstated as her singing on the epic track two Little Awakenings makes this a far superior version of the song when compared to the studio version.
Phideaux covers some deep tracks and re-arranged each song for this special show. Steve also plays guitar, flute, violin and percussion on Phideauxs set.
This immaculately recorded show was mixed over a few months period at the end of 2019 and is now available a a 2CD release.
First Set:
1. Learn to Love Rain
2. Twilight in India
3. Violin Raga (on Song to the Sky)
4. Something in Heaven Bleeds
5. The Lawn Chair Song (with extended improvisation)
6. Two Little Awakenings
7. Luxury Denial
Second Set:
8. The Error Lives On
9. Candybrain / The Sleepers Wake
10. Darkness at Noon
11. One Star
12. Inspecting the Spoils
13. You and Me Against a World of Pain
14. A Curse of Miracles
15. The Doctrine of Eternal Ice (Two)
16. Infinite Supply
Recorded live at Monforti Manor on July 13th, 2019, the first disc opens with a quick introduction and then we are into the quietly melodic storytelling of Learn to Love Rain and the statically fragmented Twilight in India.
Next up is the spoken word Violin Raga (on Song to the Sky), the gently frenetic Something in Heaven Bleeds, the flautist-imbibed brilliance of The Lawn Chair Song (with extended improvisation), and then the epic 18 minute musical brilliance of Two Little Awakenings (which has a little Tenacious D about it), the first disc closing on the funky guitar and tambourine, 11 minute ride of Luxury Denial.
After another (very) quick introduction to the second set, the earnest and forthright instrumental The Error Lives On is brought forth and is followed by the loving Ren Fest hipsway of Candybrain / The Sleepers Wake, then the almost ethereal Darkness at Noon, and both the rocker One Star and the 70s-enbued piano ballad ​Inspecting the Spoils.
Rounding out the second disc is the mesmerizingly transcendent, layered musicianship of You and Me Against a World of Pain, the mid-tempo Prog-Ren rock of A Curse of Miracles, closing on the near ten minute flautist dreamscape The Doctrine of Eternal Ice (Two) and the dulcetly orchestrated, yearned ambiance of Infinite Supply.
Official Purchase Link
www.essentials.progrock.com