YANG

few re-recordings, few re-mixes, and one song prevoiusly not released. I rather keep away from reviewing compilations but this one appears as regular record, cos songs selection was done perfect. Almost everything is great here. Lucky and Credo of Internal Exile re-recorded sound better than on Internal. Marillion's covers are done good, well maybe there's a lack of Steve Rothery's guitar work but the mood is how it should be. A Gentleman's Excuse Me stayed untouched and it's good because you can't repair something what's not broken. Folk rock song Internal Exile is the last one on the record and very good one, previously not released I wonder why...

My comments about this YANG CD is similar with those in YIN CD that Fish should not ever play any song from Marillion with his band. The soul is not there. I know that Frank Usher and Robin Boult are good guitar players and also Mickey Simmonds and Foss Paterson are also good keyboard players. But, Marillion's songs are unique and should be performed by Marillion (Fish era) - otherwise, it's uglier than the original version. This happents to "Lavender", "Kayleigh", "Sugar Mice" and "Punch & Judy" in this compilation. I am a bit disappointed that great tracks like "Cliché" and "Shadowplay" are not included either in YIN or YANG CD so I conclude that these two CDs are not good introduction of Fish music to newbie. The only good tracks here in this YANG CD are "Lady Let It Lie" (third track) and "A Gentleman's Excuse Me". The rest of the tracks are pointless and should not be purchased, unless you are curious. As for my case, I have been a fan of Marillion Fish era so I tried my best to collect all albums of Fish even though this one is very disappointing record. Well, at least I have it on my CD shelf and I never play this CD - it's just for this review and also for collection only - not to be played. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

Fish released this first / second lap of a compilation work on the same day of 1995 (September, 4th). I wonder why he never publish this as a double CD release (which could have been cheaper.).

This one is first in the alphabet but second in the philosophical sense. Make up your mind.As far as I'm concerned, I preferred "Yin" by an inch (or some centimeters.). This is maybe a paradox since this leg features more genuine "Marillion" songs than "Yin".

And their re-work sounds quite interesting & different from the original ones. Especially "Sugar Mice" as well as "Punch & Judy" which might well be superior to the original.

What might not work as well as on "Yin", is the choice from his solo work. I am missing the great "Vigil" which is absent from both "Yin" & "Yang". A pity IMHHO. But compilations are a difficult exercise.

My rating for this work is going to end up with three stars (just as "Yin"), although I am more inclined for a five out of ten. Compared to seven out of ten for "Yin". I guess that you got the picture, right?