Neo-prog stalwarts Jadis have been ploughing their brand of melodic prog rock since 1982, and whilst they have never been able to consistently match the profile of the likes of Marillion, IQ and Pendragon over the years, they have maintained a faithful fanbase, particularly on the continent, and their back catalogue contains some real neo-progressive gems – most notably 1992’s classic More Than Meets the Eye. Guitarist and vocalist Gary Chandler has led the band since the start, with drummer Steve Christey present for almost as long. IQ alumni, Martin Orford and John Jowett were, for many, part of the ‘classic’ line-up over many years, although since 2007 Andy Marlow has played bass guitar. Martin Orford returned to active duty on keyboards for 2016’s well-received No Fear of Looking Down.
However, there was an extended hiatus until last year’s highly enjoyable More Questions Than Answers studio album – a real collaborative and rejuvenated effort from all the band members, with a number of live dates in the Netherlands, Germany and the UK to promote it. This has led to their first live album for almost 24 years, entitled Live Snapshot, compiled from concerts from June 6th to June 22nd, 2024 – including a memorable appearance at the 1865 in Southampton on that last date.
Jadis are undoubtedly a band well-known to many prog rock devotees, but for many who are relatively new to the prog community, they may well be less well-known, given their intermittent studio output and live concerts over the last decade or so. As a result – I can heartily recommend Live Snapshot as an excellent introduction to Jadis, and their uniquely melodic and accessible take on neo-prog rock. It also captures the vibrancy of their live performance at present and hopefully will encourage people to attend any gigs in the near future.
The sound of Jadis is still largely shaped by Gary’s melodic, guitar-driven sound, over an expressive and dynamic rhythm section, with the keyboards always well integrated within the songs and often enhancing the atmospheric mood and rich soundscapes. Gary and Martin can certainly flex their soloing skills where needed, but never for virtuosity’s sake alone. Add Gary’s approachable vocals and Martin’s touches of flute, and you have music that can incorporate elements of prog, hard rock and AOR, with a lightness of spirit and a crossover accessibility. Moments of fragile delicacy mingle effortlessly with bursts of intensity of power – and with songs cherry-picked from their 1989 debut, through to their latest 2024 release, you have a veritable smorgasbord of musical delights to savour.
The album kicks off spritely with Asleep In My Hands, from their 2006 Photoplay album. Steve’s drums introduce this lively slab of melodic hard rock, with Gary’s forceful vocals and probing guitar lines, although it’s Martin’s dominant, flowing organ that steals the show. In contrast, This Changing Face, originally from their self-titled debut, is softer and melodious, with clean and lyrical guitar passages, although not without stabs of intensity at times, and a soaring closing solo too.
Wood Between The Worlds is the first of three songs from the latest More Questions Than Answers album, and has a stately, progressive grandeur, heightened by some majestic guitar soloing, all supported by Andy and Steve, who rhythmically interact impressively as the song’s intensity grows. For a relatively new song, it’s a real live tour-de-force. Martin’s atmospheric synths and Gary’s chiming guitar notes begin Just Let It Happen (from 2016’s No Fear Of Looking Down). There is a hypnotic, sweeping feel to the dreamy vocals, pulsing bass, keyboard wash and brooding guitar and they drive the song through to a rich and lush climax. “Oh, I do like a noisy song. I do, I do!” extols Gary at the end – and the audience heartedly agree.
Another new song, Questions Without Answers, oozes with melody, and showcases the signature sound of the band succinctly. The music dances and sways infectiously, with the rhythm section providing the foundation over which the guitar rises up and takes flight. A beautiful, concise version of More Than Meets The Eye follows, full of restrained emotion musically and vocally, with Martin’s flute adding a pastoral and ethereal feel to proceedings. Understand (from the 2000 album of the same name) maintains the more harmonious vibe, with Steve’s wonderfully intricate drumming framing the resonating guitar chords very well.
View From Above (from 1993’s Once Upon A Time EP) provides a refreshing contrast, with Martin’s keyboards more to the fore, and they complement the intensity, eloquence and intricacy of Gary’s guitar. It is certainly a slab of old-school neo-prog and frankly I could listen to Martin’s expressive playing all day. No Jadis concert would be complete without the wonderful instrumental, >Holding Your Breath (the second song from 1992’s More Than Meets The Eye). This lengthy neo-prog classic really allows the band to flex their musical muscles and strut their stuff, as it thematically ebbs and flows. Guitar and keyboards twist and turn around each other, seamlessly – mellifluous and dynamic throughout. Simply gorgeous!
The show comes to a very satisfying end with a final new track, the uplifting Fading Truth. Starting with emotive vocals over Steve’s breezy drumming, the song’s gravitas builds and peaks with another goosebump-inducing guitar solo of real beauty. A lovely way to end the album, and no doubt will have brought a tear to the eye of many of the band’s devoted fans on the night.
Jadis are on top of their game at present and Live Snapshot captures the raw power and intensity of the band in concert perfectly. Whilst a live recording can understandably never fully capture all the nuanced light and shade of these songs compared to the studio versions – this is more than made up for by the sheer vibrancy, vitality and vigour displayed on these recordings. Musical virtuosity is never allowed to swamp the melodious and emotional nature of their music. This is neo-prog with a deftness of touch and an approachability that still deserves a wider audience – even after over 40 years of helping to rekindle the prog flame in the early 80s. Hopefully, Live Snapshot can prompt many of you to either discover, or revisit, their extensive back catalogue and especially their most recent album, which is a real corker. This is a revitalised band who still have much to say. Catch them live if you can, if you have the opportunity!
Check out the PROG MAGAZINE free sampler for more from the band – on Bandcamp.
TRACK LISTING
01. Asleep In My Hands (5:33)
02. This Changing Face (5:34)
03. Wood Between The Worlds (7:03)
04. Just Let It Happen (7:24)
05. Questions Without Answers (4:58)
06. More Than Meets The Eye (3:15)
07. Understand (4:52)
08. View From Above (7:23)
09. Holding Your Breath (9:29)
10. Fading Truth (5:56)
Total Time – 61:27
MUSICIANS
Gary Chandler – Guitars, Vocals
Stephen Christey – Drums, Percussion
Andy Marlow – Bass, Backing Vocals
Martin Orford – Keyboards, Flute & Backing Vocals
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Independent
Country of Origin: UK
Released: 12th March 2025
– Recorded at gigs between 6th June and 22nd June 2024
LINKS
Jadis – Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | YouTube | Instagram
