Magnum - Wednesday 30th March - Islington Assembly Hall

Brief review:  I wasn't too sure what to expect from the latest incarnation of Magnum. Stalwarts Bob Catley and Tony Clarkin remain, but I felt that losing Mark Stanway and Harry James would be big gaps to fill. But to be fair, their replacements are very competent musicians. It always feels that Tony keeps a tight grip on what is performed (he writes all the songs, so I guess he gets to choose!) and I'm sometimes critical about the old favourites that are left out of the set. 

Tonight though seemed to be a good balance. Starting with the recently re-recorded "Days of No Trust". The re-recording (in my view) is vastly inferior to the original! But this live version had a bit more oomph to it and was fine. Then a run of newish material which can best be described as "generic modern day Magnum". That sounds harsh and it's not meant to. The songs are good and well performed, just maybe with no standout qualities. But perfectly listenable to! Then onto some crowd favourites including an excellent "Wild Swan". I'm never quite sure why "All England's Eyes" seems undroppable from the set, but there are enough highlights for that not to matter. Bob's vocals were better than last time around and it felt like a proper Magnum show despite the changes in personnel.

Venue and View:  Left hand side, towards the front. A bit busier than expected.

Setlist
Days of No Trust
Lost on the Road to Eternity
The Monster Roars
The Archway of Tears
Dance of the Black Tattoo
Where Are You Eden?
The Flood (Red Cloud's War)
The Day After the Night Before
Wild Swan
Les Morts Dansant
Rockin' Chair
All England's Eyes
Vigilante
Kingdom of Madness
+
On a Storyteller's Night
Sacred Hour