Quidam (Poland)

This band elegantly blends harmonies, refined arrangements and diversity of orchestrations (keyboards, cello, flute, oboe,strings).
The guitar playing is interlaced with haunting flute, cello that evokes depth, female vocals and keyboards that give an orchestral fullness to the music. Their style is a melodic, text-based (female vocals) symphonic rock. The rhythms intensify, the symphonic keyboard textures thicken and the electric guitar plays long melancholic notes. Quidam is certainly the main and most appreciated act to have emerged from this field, with Abraxas and Collage.
Live in Mexico '99 was recorded during the Baja-Prog festival and features spirited interpretations of some of Quidam's best songs (mainly from the first album). They have also incorporated some "classic" material into their set, such as parts of "Firth of Fifth" during "Sankturiarum" and cover versions of Camel's "Rhyader" / "Rhyader Goes to Town" and Deep Purple's "Child in Time". Very good sound quality and performances make this an excellent live document of Quidam.
I think this band explores best elements of both old and new prog.
I wonder how good this Polish band sounds live: crystal clear sounds of guitars and keyboards, delicate flute passages and, last but not least, wonderful voice of Emila Derkowska. Her voice on stage is as good as on studio recordings.
The band chose very good set of songs for this concert. There are epics like "Plone/Niespelnienie" and "Sanktuarium" from their first album. "Angels of mine" from "Angels' Dreams" shows band's ability to create catchy songs. My personal favorite is "Jest Take Samotny Dom". It is the song by Polish rock-veterans Budka Suflera. I heard original version, but Quidam re-discovered this beautiful song for me.
I think this is the best album of this nice band.