CAST: A live experience

Released : 1999

Label : Musea

Catalogue number:

FGBG 4288.AR

Total playing time:

CD 1 : 72’22" CD 2 : 72’36"

Tracklist:

CD 1 : Intro (3’58") / Rescue (16’50") / Door of the world (9’14") / Mirror house (8’11") / Solo bateria (3’54") / Run in the rain (10’35") / Echoes (19’36")

CD 2 : Static dreams (8’07") / Reunion (7’19") / Magic is gone (8’08") / House by the forest (6’10") / Winter (3’35") / Dragon’s attack (8’58") / Hidden poems (9’05") / Spirit of men (8’51") / Transparent symbols (3’18") / In the light of darkness (8’09")

Musicians:
Fransisco Hernandez - guitar, vocals
Antonio Bringas - drums
Dino Brassea - vocals, flute
Rodolfo Gonzalez - bass
Alfonso Vidales - keyboards

Website:

http://www.1russ.com/cast.htm

The Mexican band Cast is a strange phenomenon. It took them nearly twenty years before their first album was released, but once they were launched they kept on releasing album after album in no time. I guess it has something to do with the local liquor! Summing up their career so far, the band has now released a double live album A Live Experience. Recorded in various locations spread over various years, fans of the better 'neo-prog' bands in genre (mainly those with a clear adoration for the work of Genesis, Marillion and PFM) can get acquainted to no less than seventeen of the band's own compositions.

In singer Dino Brassea, the band has found a golden opportunity to enhance their brand of progressive rock because Dino also plays the flute. To go back into their history: while this band was formed in 1978, they didn't release their first album until 1994. However, they released no fewer than three CDs in that one single year!: Landing In A Serious Mind, Sounds of Imagination and Third Call. The year after they released Four Aces and Endless Signs, followed by Beyond Reality in '96. The next year was a sabbath year for the band, but in '98 they were back with Angels and Demons, whilst in '99 we were treated to their Imaginary Window album. Also in '96 they released the live album A View of Cast, yet all of that material can be found on one of the discs of the new double album. Also, we shouldn't forget the solo albums Entre Dos Parades and Clavico by keyboard player Alfonso "Poncho" Vidales, whilst also guitarist Fransisco Hernandez created a solo effort with his Whispers From The Wind.

Cast is an interesting band with ear for detail and nicely balanced compositions. Also the stories are well thought out and result in an exciting whole. Those of you who are unfamiliar with Cast, have an ideal entry point with this A Live Experience. The others of course will have the lastest chapter in add A Live Experience to their collection.

We should also take note of the fact that the people of Cast are responsible for the annual Baja Prog festival taking place in Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico on March 1 - 4, 2000.

Reveiwed : John 'Bobo' Bollenberg