KETTLE OF FISH 88-98

Fish has been relatively quiet in terms of compilation efforts. The first two considered as such were "Yin" and "Yang" which consisted of some re-work of Fish as well as genuine "Marillion" songs. "Yin" was particularly good.

But for this one, I really wonder who decided the track list. Or maybe it was to avoid the competition with the prior two ones.That's the only excuse I can imagine.

Because frankly, there are more second tier than great songs available here and as such it is hardly a recommendable work. Some tracks still stand out as the excellent "Goldfish & Clowns", "Credo", "Brother 52" as well as "Lady Let It Lie" (one of my fave from the big man) but globally this compilation is not really worth.

Neither for the fans, neither for someone willing to enter his catalogue. For the latter ones, I can only recommend a good live album or a couple of original studio works of which his debut has my favours.

Two stars.

This is the only Fish solo album I have listened to besides the 1st one, so my Fish knowledge is restricted to these and his days with Marillion. However, I can't imagine that this could be considered as the "best" of Fish. Possibly the judgement of track selection was based on radio-play rather than actual quality. Indeed, several of these songs such as "Big Wedge" are definate radio-friendly songs. I found this cd used and treid it for awhile but I was never impressed. Just as his first album did not impress me. Maybe the final question is- Did Fish need Marillion more than Marillion need Fish? Personnaly I have never been a big fan of the new Marillion and I suppose I am not a Fish fan based on what I have heard. Best Song on this: "Gentleman's Excuse me". Worst song: "Chasing Ms Pretty". Overall I grade this as 2 stars at best.