Album Info - Blue 4 CD boxed set (Derby Cathedral Concert)

Release date 2000

Band Members - David Wright, Robert Fox, Vaughn Evans, Andy Lobban.

Composed, performed and arranged by Code Indigo.
Produced by Code Indigo

Recorded at Derby Cathedral October 1998
Sound Engineer - Steve Farmer
Artwork by Dave Massey.

Blue Album Review

Code Indigo in concert at Derby Cathedral 19th October 1998
(support act Mario Schonwalder & Detlef Keller).

This was my first outing to a Derby ‘EM’ concert. Having recently obtained the superb ‘For whom the Bell’ album, on the recommendation of a friend, it seemed a good opportunity to see Code Indigo in action.

On making my way to a seat, I became aware of two things. Firstly, the wonderful atmosphere; warm and friendly, yet somehow full of anticipation and expectation. The second thing was the venue itself. The inside of the cathedral is, I imagine, impressive enough in its own right, but here, on this night, with a vast array of both on and off stage lighting in place to quite clearly make the the most of the cathedrals architecture, it made for one of the most ethereal sights I think I have ever seen!

Mario Schonwalder and Detlef Keller started proceedings bang on time. I must admit to never having heard of them or their music before, although I understand this was their first UK concert. In truth, it wasn't’t really my sort of music, particularly the first half of the set which didn't’t really seem to go anywhere. The second half was much better with the introduction of rhythm and base sequences. Overall though, it was well played and the audience obviously enjoyed it, despite a major technical hitch midway through which repeatedly cut off the sound. I learned afterwards that this was due to an on-stage desk overheating. The way in which they dealt with it probably endeared them to the audience who gave the duo deserved enthusiastic applause at the close. Also, throughout the set, the audience were treated to some truly stunning lighting.

There was a short break and then, at 8.50pm, Code Indigo. There was huge applause from the 200 strong audience and as the lights went down, a baby’s cry (the end of “For whom the Bell”), followed by an oriental female voice filled the cathedral. David Wright entered, stage left, and began playing a swirling wall of sound with deep choral undertones. After a few minutes, enter Vaughn Evans, stage right, adding to the sound as it morphed into a section of effects, spoken samples and eastern chants. Enter Robert Fox and and the commencement of a grand symphonic strings section, followed by guitarist Andy Lobban to finally complete the line up and sound some 5 minutes or so into the set. There was an obvious problem at this point as the guitar could not be heard, but this was quickly rectified.

The impressive opening, including stunning choral samples and a beautiful theme which perfectly suited the venue, exploded into a rhythmic section in which Andy Lobban on guitar and David Wright on synth lead, clearly enjoyed themselves. The piece raced along at pace for a very quick 15 minutes, bringing in driving percussion and even digerredoo, courtesy of Vaughn Evans before winding down into a very strange and clearly improvised percussive/guitar/digeredoo section. Perhaps on another day, this would have worked. On this occasion though, it clearly didn’t and to the bands credit, they realized this and brought it to a quick close before going into track 5 from FWTB. This was superbly played, with a different arrangement and feel to the album version.

Another new rhythmic track followed and then it was into FWTB part 16, one of my favorite tracks on the album. Here again, a different and longer arrangement allowing for some delicate guitar play, and from Robert Fox and David Wright respectively, some deft piano and synth flute improvisation.

The next piece was, for me, the highlight of the evening. A stunning, heavily sampled ambient piece with gentle hypnotic base and percussion, superbly played and improvised by Lobban, Fox and Wright, weaving their way way around an almost manic conversation from the spoken samples.

The penultimate track was a strident rhythmic outing, beginning with great interplay on an Arabian type theme from Lobban and Wright before strings and pad completely changed it to a major thematic piece. It returned once more to the Arabian feel with guitar letting rip before winding down to the closing track which once again brought in the strong symphonic chords from the opening number. The piece built beautifully with timpani and just about everything but the kitchen sink thrown in. A glorious ending! As the piece wound down with children singing over solo piano, the band made their way off stage one by one so that as the track finished - the stage was empty.

The response from the audience was deafening! Huge applause for a magnificent set superbly played and enhanced considerably by a dazzling light show. I realized as I joined the rapturous applause for the band to come back for an encore, that they had actually played a 70 minute set, which just didn’t seem possible, it had gone so quickly.

The band came back and treated us to FWTB parts 11 and 16. Again, played quite differently to the album, and how!! The addition of drums and percussion to part 16 and the longer guitar section on part 11 ensured that Code Indigo went out on a real high - and judging by their reaction, so did the audience !! And rightly so. On the night there was a lot to admire. A great venue, stunning light show and superb music!

As a footnote; Code Indigo are undoubtedly an enigma. A band in the EM scene who are really more ambient, even prog rock than EM. No boring midi sequenced crap here, but carefully crafted arrangements and imaginative use of samples and sounds amid the layers of digital and analogue synths and guitar. In fact, I’m left wondering why they are actually classed as an “EM” band? They have undoubted talent both collectively and individually. Having since purchased a couple of CDs by Fox and Wright, I was suitably impressed by the music of both, even if it is not what I would normally go for. But it is interesting, and creditable, that while they bring their unique styles to Code Indigo, they don’t actually bring their music!

Most importantly though, the Code Indigo style is very difficult to categorize. Instrumental Pink Floyd? Enigma?? Steve Roach??? In the Nursery???? They combine elements of all of these and yet, basically, they sound like, well....Code Indigo. And that for me is the mark of something a bit special.

M. Havers - West Sussex (Independent review).