I think the reason that I have never held Marillion in quite as a high a regard as fellow second (or third - depending on who you ask) generationprog-rockers Dream Theater or Spock's Beard, is that non of their music has ever really blown me away, to the same extent that these other bands have. Don't get me wrong, I certainly like these guys - a lot, but I have never felt the need to hear everything that they have ever released, like I do with many other bands. Many of their releases, especially the DVD's, are only available, here in the U.S. at import prices, which can be double the normal price. I passed over this DVD for almost a year because it cost over thirty dollars. I was forced to give these guys a second look after seeing Steve's Hogarth and Rothery join Dream Theater on stage during a 1995 cover show in London, where they gave a stunning performance of one of my favorite Marillion songs, "Easter". This performance appeared on Dream Theater's 5Years In A Livetime DVD, and made me run out and buy Made Again: Live and this DVD.
Marillion formed in 1979 and went on to release their first album, Script For A Jesters Tear, in 1983, which helped the band draw strong comparisons to Peter Gabriel-era Genesis. These comparisons were deserving, but I welcomed their tribute. If we cant have the real thing anymore, we may as well have a good imitation. By their third album, 1985's fantastic Misplaced Childhood, Marillion would have developed a more unique sound and style, and this album would propel them firmly into the top tier of the new wave of progressive-rock bands. In 1988, at the peak of their success, after releasing the acclaimed Clutching At Straws album,Marillion front-man Fish abruptly quit the band. From Stoke Row To Ipanema documents a year in the life of the band - the year after the split with Fish. Marillion had just recorded and released the excellent Seasons End album, featuring new vocalist Steve Hogarth, and would embark on a world tour to support the album, and introduce their new front-man to the legion of loyal fans who had anxiously awaited the fate of their favorite band.
.jpg?t=20120527181101)
Article comments
1 - Frans
Nicely done! Hey, while you are at it, could you review Marillion's latest CD "Marbles" (the 2-disc version). It would be interesting to see your take on it.
Cheers,
Frans
2 - Paul Roy
Thanks Frans. I'm not sure I am ready to cross over into the CD review territory just yet. I'd have to quit my day job for that...hmmm, not a bad idea. I might make a special acception if I were to get a free copy though. Hint, Hint.
Paul
3 - Tom Johnson
Paul, having watched both this and their latest live DVD, Marbles on the Road, I can highly suggest the latter - it's actually better. The Marbles portion of the DVD is the real highlight, but you also get a small selection of tracks from the rest of the post-Fish albums as well. If you order the DVD from Marillion.com, you can get the two-disc version which has the rest of the concert with even more stuff including some early takes on Marlbles material performed before the album was recorded. It makes for an incredible bunch of music.
The difference between the relatively green Steve Hogarth of 1990 and the very seasoned performer he is today is in stark contrast. He's really become stunning and fascinating to watch bring the music to life with his expressions and gesturing.
4 - Paul Roy
Thanks Tom. The Marbles DVD is definately on my short list. Look for a review within the next month or so. You're absolutely right about Hogarth, he is one of the best frontmen in the business now. Has Fish been up to anything notable lately?
Paul
5 - Paul Moore
Good review - I was at the gig and can confirm that the director's cuts were actually different performances of the same songs on the same night (or at least some of them are!)
6 - Ken Stevens
I'm not a rock fan, just an elderly gent living in the area, who wondered why our south Oxfordshire village of Stoke Row kept coming up on Google, associated with Marillion. That led me to this site.
Now I see the link with Stoke Row! Slight amplification is that this is the location of the 'Crooked Billet' pub mentioned above as the location of first gig. It's actually quite an upmarket venue, rather than the pokey hole implied, i.e. it's a posh pokey hole!
See The Crooked Billet.