REAL TO REEL

As I already mentioned in my reviews for the other Fish-era live album, "The Thieving Magpie/La Gazza Ladra," this is a well-produced live disc. The songs included here are taken from the Fugazi tour in early 1984. Unlike the "The thieving Magpie" album, all songs on this release crossover into one another, giving the listener the impression that they are listening to one complete show, whereas the songs are actually taken from three separate gigs.

On this live release, the various songs are well played by a noticeably enthusiastic band. Several songs are even better when performed live than on the studio albums. For instance: I normally do not like the first half of Incubus, but it just feels right on this release. Perhaps because the keyboards sound different in the intro?!

Another song that I like a lot more live than studio is the happiness that is Garden Party. I used to love this song, but I think I overplayed it a little. Live however it is far more energetic and therefore very enjoyable to listen to.

The other songs are either Marillion classics, or they are simply great rock songs to get the audience going. Especially the closing track Market Square Heroes is one of these songs, alongside Cinderella Search, in which the band (i.e. FISH) is 'playing' with the crowd. 'Market Square Heroes' is also the improvisation song on this disc in which all the band members have a solo spot.

If someone considers buying a live disc from the Fish-era, I would definitely recommend this one, because it feels like an integral concert recording, unlike a collection of barely linked live tracks as on the "The thieving Magpie" album.

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