THE EMI SINGLES COLLECTION

Music is a contagious disease. Last night, I met a friend of mine whom I knew approx ten years ago when both of us worked for one of the world's big six consulting firms in which by that time I promoted the music of Genesis, Marillion, Yes, etc. to my colleague consultants, especially those who were in one project with me and stationed at client's premise. Some oh 'em liked it (even loved it) and some of 'em hated it and some of 'em were indifference. It's a normal outcome, isn't it? Back to my meeting last night, "she" (ehm, prog does good to woman too, it's not a men's world man .!!) told me an amazing story about her experience with Marillion. When her mind was stumbled couple weeks ago because she was about to formulate a robust recommendation for a Client, she suddenly remembered "Incomunicado" of Marillion's Clutching At Straws album. She inserted the CD at her laptop and plugged the earphone and listening to Incommunicado while working. What happened after that? Her mind and her thoughts flew smoothly and she had successfully crafted a robust recommendation that she finally put nicely at the final report. WOW! What a truly prog experience man .!!! Prog rules the world!!!! Am amazed on how prog can help human being excels! Yeah man . music is emotion!

Music is a contagious disease. When I reached home - being amazed by the story that my friend told me - I suddenly remembered that I have a DVD collection of Marillion that I have rarely watched titled "The EMI Singles Collection" where Incomunicado is also featured. Quite honest, I don't enjoy video clips, actually. Most of my DVD or laser disc collections are live performance because I really love watching rock concert. But for Marillion? Why not! It's a kind of documentary for me.

Am sure that most of you who live not in the rest of the world country have been familiar with the footages featured in this DVD as it was played on MTV and other TV- channels. For me, I never seen any of them before I owned this DVD and I was surprised that a prog band like Marillion had managed to record no 22 different videos for EMI alone. The DVD offers a balanced set whereby those 22 clips were divided over both Marillion eras: eleven clips with Fish and an equal amount for Marillion Steve Hogarth. My chief reason to purchase was actually for the first eleven clips.

The DVD opens with "Market Square Heroes" which was shot in front of a live audience who really applaud the show, whilst Fish sings dynamically with this rocking tune. "He Knows You Know" sees Fish in his act as an actor, playing a role as a man with drugs problem. "Garden Party" does not really favor me as the clips do not support the beauty of the music. It' funny for me as the band members dressed as young rascals. Ex-Camel drummer Andy Ward was shot here, who was at the time Marillion's drummer for a short period.

"Kayleigh" - being a truly pop gem - is and will always remain the band's well known song ever. Whenever I asked someone about his knowledge abiut the group named after Marillion, I always sing this song. And they then realize that it was by Marillion. The media still regard "Kayleigh" as being Marillion's best ever composition. The film that supports Kayleigh is a cheap one but I like that it featured Robert Mead, the child that appeared in Lavender single. Really nice. A funny thing happens for "Incommunicado," where the band members are dressed as scruffy homeless beggars. The video also shows the band filmed at The Marquee. The final video featuring Fish is to promote "Warm Wet Circles." Which was taken from the "Live from Loreley" video.

The Hogarth part starts with "Hooks In You." Which was filmed in front of an enthusiastic crowd. This upbeat tempo track demonstrates that Marillion without Fish is still good (even though I personally at the time was disappointed with Fish departure from the band). In "Uninvited Guest" Hogarth sings seated in a couch hanging from the ceiling. The other members of the band sit around a suspended table as if it was a flying image of the last supper. "Easter" was shot on location with the band setting out for the coast. The band also covers a reprise of the Rare Bird classic "Sympathy" - a very good one. In 1994 the band released three videos to promote "Hollow Man," "Alone Again In The Lap Of Luxury" and "The Great Escape." These three serve as a trilogy.

Overall, you will have a 22 video clips that represent the band's years with EMI between 1982 - 1995. This video will be a good introductory tool for those who have not known the band. For those who have loved the band either during Fish or Hogarths era or both eras will find this as a good documentary. Keep on proggin' ..!

Progressively yours,

GW