MARBLES ON THE ROAD

My third Marillion video concert experience. And this time, for me, I must say that my enthusiasm varied through the show. As Gatot noted, there are parts where it seems like the music is repeating itself. It's not something that I notice when playing an album, as I get into the mood that Marillion establishes through many of their darker & mellower albums. But watching them live, again, as Gatot mentions, the half hour point is where I started losing some interest. I found Rothery's regular use of the E Bow, and the volume pedal repetitve, and told myself I had to go back and re-listen to some albums to see if this is really all the fellow does on the group's music. Once it hit the one hour mark, though, the show picks up again, and gets me back into it. And from there on, especially starting with Neverland, they hit their stride once more, and I am glad to have rented it and finally watched it after all these months. The encores are the icing on the cake, featuring some of my favourites such as that golden oldie - Uninvited Guest.

So a good show from a great album, but useful as an example of the different expectations that a fan may have of each experience. Oh, and nice bit with the musical cricket bat. Good to see some humour injected into what is a serious groups since Hogarth's arrival. A 3.5, rounded down to 3 for the short long bits, and not up to the Script & Stoke Row DVDs, unless you are an unconditional fan of the album.