THERE'S A GUY WORKS DOWN THE CHIP SHOP SWEARS, HE'S FISH

I love live albums. I usually use a set of criteria to review a live album, ie: the extent to which the recorded live music is more dynamic than the studio album, the extent of communication between the band and the audience, audience participation (hand clapping, shouting, etc), mixing and sound quality, the extent of musicians control against original music. When I purchased this CD couple years ago, I thought that it's a bootleg version as the label is KTS (who used to produce bootleg versions). But I don't know why it's here, so I assume this is an official release. Hope so.

If you like Fish solo albums, you may have to own this album as it has many of his repertoires (from "Vigil" and "Internal Exile" and Marillion) are played in this recorded live album. But don't expect the sound quality as it's not as great as Marillion's Real to Reel or The Thieving Magpie. For me, it's OK (as I expected that this is a bootleg album). Let me tell you why you should own it:

First, the music is dynamically played by the band with heavy interaction between Fish and his audience. The opening track "Vigil" is performed excellently by the band. Fish' voice is really clear. On 4th track "Incubus" (Marillion - Fugazi album) I find it really wonderful as Incubus is played almost totally different (better) than the original Marillion album. I notice especially in the lead guitar. So stunning and different a lot from original. Great work! Great improvisation! I find it very interesting and enjoyable listening to "Internal Exile" and continued to "Market Square Heroes". The concluding track "Heart of Lothian" seems like the climax where all audience sounds deeply involved in the performance of this track.

Second, the extent of communication between Fish and his audience is really good. Even from the first track I can smell a sense of close communication with the audience. It grows tremendously throughout the concert. I especially like the one in "Incubus" where there is communication with the audience when Fish sings "I the mote in your eye" and the audience reply automatically "eye eye eye!!!" - what an interesting communication. It's also the case when my favorite song "The Company" is performed, the crowd sing "Oh, boys would you drink to me now / Here on the hill, halfway up, halfway down". Dynamic interaction. Interesting. Even, the traditional music at the interlude is excellently played by the band.

Third, the musicians have reasonably controlled their emotion during the concert. Even though, I find sometime that Fish sings emotionally and tend to lose control over his voice. But luckily, it didn't happen so badly. So, overall it's a good live album that you should have it, especially if you are a fan of Fish or early Marillion. The great disappointment with this album is as there is no "Shadowplay" of second album was included in this concert. Again, Fish is better with Marillion than doing his solo. Rating 3.75 / 5. - Gatot Widayanto, Indonesia.