BRIEF ENCOUNTER

One can hardly blame Marillion for any lack of live material! The band did an excellent job of keeping documentation of their live performances all throughout their career that would be much too excessive for any new fans to get their heads around.

Brief Encounter gave the fan base something to hold them over throughout the band's first so-called gap year in terms of studio albums while they waited for what would become the last Marillion album before Fish departure from the band. Although now that we have Recital Of The Script , The Thieving Magpie - La Gazza Ladra and Curtain Call - A Live Archive 1983-1988, to name a few, this tiny document has become much too obsolete there isn't really much this recording brings to the table in terms of originality or historic value. It might still appeal to collectors since Brief Encounter almost can be considered an early take on the fan club system that the band have been known for in their later years.

There has been some controversy surrounding the origin of the live tracks. Although the liner notes state that they were recorded at Hammersmith Odeon on January 9&10, 1986, this information may be inaccurate, considering that Fish clearly says "Leicester, Goodnight" at the end of Fugazi. Wikipedia suggests that both Fugazi and Script For A Jester's Tear were actually recorded at Leicester De Montfort Hall on 5 March 1984.

Either way there isn't much that this recording has to offer to anyone only interested in hearing the most essential Marillion work. Therefore a fans/collectors only release.

**** star songs: Freaks (4:09) Kayleigh (4:11) Script For A Jester's Tears (8:52)

*** star songs: Fugazi (8:32)

** star songs: Lady Nina (5:47)