BRIEF ENCOUNTER

"Brief Encounter" is an EP release by UK progressive rock act Marillion. The EP was originally an US-only release, which was released through Capitol Records in June 1986. Marillion had a major commercial breakthrough with the May 1985 "Kayleigh" single, and during 1986 they were preparing to extend that breakthrough the US market, starting with the release of the "Lady Nina" single and accompanying music video in April 1986 and a few months down the line the release of "Brief Encounter" to coincide with their 1986 US and Canada tours (supporting Rush on their tour for "Power Windows" (1985)).

"Brief Encounter" features the two studio tracks "Lady Nina" and "Freaks", and the three live tracks "Kayleigh", "Fugazi" and "Script For a Jester's Tear". While the EP was aimed strictly at the US market it became a sought after import release in Europe, because of the live tracks and the two non-album single tracks ("Lady Nina" and "Freaks") on the EP, which at the time, in the case of the live tracks, weren´t available elsewhere in these particular versions.

While "Brief Encounter" isn´t the most necessary release today, since all the material featured on the EP have become available on compilations since, it´s still a good quality release by Marillion, featuring about half an hour of great material, and a 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.