Fish-era Marillion is pure magic! I would absolutely love for you to react to the first side of Marillion's "Clutching at Straws" album; it is neck-and-neck in terms of which one is my favorite of their albums.
If I was going to suggest 2 tracks off Clutching- Sugar Mice and White Russian, both epics and show the breadth of Fishes writing as well as a showcase for the group.
"Warm Wet Circles/That Time of the Night (The Short Straw)" would also be pretty amazing tracks, though honestly, there's so much goodness on that album, almost anything works.
To me, CaS is by far the superior (prog) record. But careful, it's deeply depressing; my friends know to call for intervention but it's such an awesome record to hear on full blast with the lights off
@@TheFilwud saw 'new' Marillion play Sugar mice about 10 years ago.. Was hilarious to see Hogarth get p off coz everyone sang along which they had not been doing before. Dont get me wrong, love post Fish Marillion but there is just something about the earlky stuff,
I saw Marillion live in 1986 opening for Rush. I thought Marillion would just play a bunch of songs from their first 3+ albums, but when the show started Fish took the stage and said, "We have just enough time to get this in. This is an album called Misplaced Childhood." With the first notes of "Pseudo Silk Kimono" the crowd roared. Best concert I ever saw. Well worth the 18 hour (!) train ride to get there.
The first gig I went to they supported Status Quo at Milton Keynes in 1984 - but I was at Brixton Academy shortly after Kayleigh hit the charts. The rear 2/3rds of the audience were couples for whom Kayleigh was "their song"...and then there was us lot in the mosh pit at the front ;-)
Doug - please do a review of Grendel by Marillion. This was their show piece from their early period and definitely worth a session of your timed. Plenty of Genesis/ Yes/ PFloyd similarities to get your teeth into...
I've always really loved both _"Kayleigh"_ and _"Lavender"._ Note that _"Lavender"_ is almost certainly a reference to the long-time folk song _"Lavender Blue (Dilly Dilly)",_ done by Burl Ives and Sammy Kaye (among many others, I'm sure). The Burl Ives version is available right here on UA-cam. Hmm. So is the Sammy Kaye version. The version by SK says: _"Charted at #4 in Billboard in December 1948. Vocals by the Three Kaydets. Based on an English folk song and nursery rhyme. It was featured in the 1948 movie, "So Dear to My Heart", as sung by Burl Ives."_
Fish at the time said he researched nursery rhymes in the search of something that was pure, with no negative connotations (like Ring of Roses, about the plague).
No "almost" about this being a clear reference to Lavender's Blue, the old folk song ;-) According to Wikipedia the song originates in the 17th century. There are many versions of it, including the ones you mentioned. The Fish/Marillion song is very clear about it being a well known song: the narrator hears children sing it in the park. This is one of the reasons why Misplaced Childhood is such a fantastic album, apart from the great music. Fish really takes the listener on a journey. The whole thing is superb story telling.
In Jan. '85 I arrived at Holy Loch Scotland in the Navy and within months one of my shipmates turned me on to Misplaced Childhood. I immediately fell in love with their lyrics and sound. Being in a half American and half Scottish member band I quickly found out how much metal and hard rocker Scottish loved this band and was hooked for life on the Fish and early Hogarth albums. Decades later I still love listening to them just no longer on vinyl or cassette. I was fortunate to see them twice, once in Edinburgh and at a Donnington Monsters of Rock multi-concert. I still cherish them as a great little "best kept secret" and still to this day I sip Drambuie as mentioned on Clutching at Straws. Doug, I have watched a lot of your review of music I have enjoyed over the the decades and I appreciate your coverage of anything Marillion. I have found that there seems to be a theme of Fish's song and lyrics that were peaking at Clutching at Straws and/or the peak of his struggles with alcohol and whatnot. I also still love the idea of the bands name from Tolkien. Anyway, a little late to the (Garden) party for your review, but thank you.
you really need to take a listen to Marillion's Grendel, it is a prog epic based on the classic poem Beowulf. And Fish has released some really great solo works one of my favorites is Dark Star
I've always liked the fact that, after the guitar solo, the verse modulates from B minor to C sharp minor, but the chorus stays in D both times. Subtle creativity like that can be really inspiring.
As a Marillion with Fish true fan since the early 80’s, thank you so much for showing this. I still think Steve Rothery is one of the best guitarists ever. Please can I ask that you look at their earlier stuff on Script or Fugazi. Fish’s lyrics are real poetry. Also, they are one of few bands who sound just as good live as in the studio.
I saw them at The Garden Party at Milton Keynes in the mid 80's and they were awesome. It helped that it was a gorgeous sunny day and we were all sat on the grassy bank with a cool box full of cider and wine and some "herbal" ciggies. Jethro Tull were on the bill too who are always great live. Great memories!
@@anjizetland-von-kiesel3346 lucky you! I saw them in 85 or 86 I think at the Brighton Centre. Went with my mate and his older brother. It was brilliant but unfortunately due to my age no wine or herbal ciggies!! I’ve still listened to them ever since. Apart from actually still enjoying their music it has the ability to take me back 30+ years.
@ traffic71 I am sure you enjoyed it just as much! I have just googled it and apparently Gary Moore played as well but I can't remember him which is strange as I like him too? Maybe too much wine and herbal ciggies!! It was 1986 but it seems like yesterday.
Another enjoyable and though provoking analysis - Thanks Doug As an FYI "lavender's green dilly dilly" is a UK nursery rhythm and the fact that Fish felt that this children's song was the song that he (as a successful rock singer/lyricist) failed to write for his lamented recently lost lover has always been a very poignant thought for me. While I love a diverse range of music, Fish's emotion laden poetic wordplay and singing combined with the musicianship and song writing of the rest of the band was a unique combo and I love all four of the Fish era albums (while still a fan of both' halves later separate work)
Folks, we all, as Marillion fans, have fond memories of Grendel, but it sounds very much like what it is, a group of teenage Genesis fans trying to write something that sounded like Supper's Ready. There is so much Marillion, even from the Fish era, that I'd love to hear Doug's take on before Grendel. Garden Party, Fugazi, The opening three songs of Clutching.
Or how about he reacts to An Hour Before It's Dark when it comes out next week? Some early reviews say it's their best album ever. I know some folks will never be convinced, but FEAR was transformative for me, and what I've heard so far is amazing.
Fish once said that Script, Fugazi and Misplaced were a trilogy of thoughts. Script was Bedsit thoughts when Fish first joined Marillion and living in bedsits and touring, staying in dingy B&B's. Fugazi was hotel thoughts when the band broke out and staying in hotels. Neither of these were actual concepts but the love songs were about mainly one person, Kay-Lee. She was a former girlfriend of Fish and obviously the inspiration for that song. Then comes Misplaced, a concept album he dubbed Home Thoughts. This was about being on the road and wondering what he should do; be with her, be the big rock star or be back home in Scotland. Its about that break up and when you get to the song Childhoods End, releasing he has to break away from her. I can relate to this album as it came out just as I broke up with a wonderful girl and I was left devastated. That album got me through a dark period. and although heartbreaking, when you get to Childhoods End, you realise there's reason and hope. Fish is a true poet and he had a great band behind him to put that poetry to music.
Pseudo Silk Kimono hits in such a deep, powerful way. One of the best intros ever for one of the best albums ever! Btw you should check out "Grendel" by Marillion too, their best work imo.
Dude, The beauty of lavender is that everything he wanted to say to this woman He loved, already existed in a children's nursery rhyme. It's that innocence that makes Marillion's song even more beautiful. Kaylee tumbles into the song lavender and the keyboard almost seems to symbolize footsteps as he sings about walking in the park. You're musical ability and knowledge is incredibly impressive but there's a reason why Marillion Fans think that this is the best album ever written. The marriage of the music to the lyrics creates mood that is deeply empathetic.
You nailed this. There is a synergy of lyrics and music that creates an emotion that is the bigger than the sum of the parts. Doug called the lyrics “simple”, but not so: Fish’s end effect is utterly brilliant.
When I'm asked for my favorite Fish era Marillion album, my response is "Script for a Misplaced Fugazi Straw." I really struggle ranking these 4 classic albums. All are really special to me and continue to fascinate and captivate me decades after first hearing them. And the b-sides from '82-'88 are pretty amazing as well!
Another great review Doug. I remember when the world and I first heard the opening tracks of the album. It was broadcast live on BBC radio from the (then) Hammersmith Odeon here in London on December 14 1984, months before it came out. Fish announced the tracks as "part of a 46 minute concept album with 2 tracks, one called side 1 and the other one called side 2 and this was part of side 1 of an album which will be called 'Misplaced Childhood.' "
Uncle Doug, please, give us more Marillion.This is my favorite band and you my favorite reactor.Please, give me this simbios, made more reactions to this great rock collective!Script For a Jesters Tear, Fugazi, second part of Misplaced Childhood and Clutching at Straws been waiting for you!
Would love to see you react to full album’s from Fish’s solo career, too, Doug, particularly ‘Vigil In A Wilderness Of Mirrors’, one track of which features Iron Maiden’s Janick Gers 😊
Kayleigh isn't a favorite of mine but this album is like therapy for me, having been an abused child. I listen to it whenever I need a release from my personal demons. A true masterpiece. Fish is the man
It's so strange to go back and listen to Burl Ives's "Lavender Blue (Dilly Dilly)" from Disney's movie "So Dear To My Heart" (which itself is a version of an old English folk tune) that this track borrowed from. I actually knew this version before I ever heard the Burl Ives version so that was a fun backwards way to discover it.
It makes perfect sense that Fish's voice reminds you of Peter Gabriel, as he was his main influence, and Genesis was Marillion's main influence at the time. Then, they evolved and crafted their own individuality with Steve Hogarth on vocals and songwriting.
This album is a true 80's classic and, you're right, the Peter Gabriel resemblance is very strong. Misplaced Childhood was one of the first "neo-prog" albums - with this type of synthesizer sound, this style of Genesis-influenced vocal, and a less complex, more melodic and through-composed style of music (more Genesis, Pink Floyd, and Collins-era Genesis than other, highly complex prog bands like ELP, Yes, Rush, etc.) Other bands playing this style since then are IQ, Pendragon, Arena, Jadis, and Shadowland. "Harvest of Souls" by IQ has been recommended before and I would also strongly suggest checking out Pendragon, specifically something off The Masquerade Overture, The Window of Life, or Not of This World (three pretty much untouchable neo-prog albums), if you like this style.
Thank you Doug in my opinion the best lyricist ever Fish has the ability to touch your soul with his song writing his last album was outstanding if you delve into his work you will see that his lyrics are full of metaphors and dark subjects he was well ahead of his time in the 80,s tapping into current affairs and what was happening in the world
Kayleigh was written about a former girlfriend of Fish - real name Kay Leigh - who he split up from as Marillion started to become more well known. Fish tells the story of the lyric, their relationship breakup and their subsequent meeting many years later in an interview at the link below. ua-cam.com/video/fXQm2H8ygxA/v-deo.html
I thought that her name was Kay Lee and then Fish came up with Kayleigh because other band members were uncomfortable with a direct naming of a person they knew?
Ahh how horribly sad. All these years and I never knew that backstory...or even that a backstory existed! Now that I do know it, I love that Fish accents her real name the last time he mentions it. A lovely and deeply poignant touch at the end to see a photo of them together. RIP 🌹
This is “the” Marillion era. S Rothery’s guitar is magical, for me his solos are as superb as Gilmours, he has the same good taste for crazy bends and great melodies. ❤ the guy!
One of my all-time favorites. It's interesting that you mentioned the familiarity with Peter Gabriel's voice. I've always felt the two most passionate singers I've ever listened to are Fish and Peter Gabriel. They had a capability of reaching into your chest and touching your heart. Fish (Derek Dick) is seriously one of the finest lyricists ever. Lavendar is actually a children's song adapted to fit this mini-suite (as stated by Mr. Drosehn below). My personal favorite Mariliion album is Clutching At Straws. The song White Russian is lyrically one of the most impressives songs ever written. It applies very much to what is happening in Europe this very minute 2-24-22 - give it a listen if you haven't already -- "Uzi's on the street corner!"
If this album is really about Fish's childhood, I am similar with him. I'm 62 now and I always feel this is the story of my own life. I saw the guys the first time in the 80's and they touch my heart until now. Thanks for all your great music over decades ❤👍
You must do the last song of their new album that came out yesterday, Care. That last 5 minutes is the best ending to an album ever. The vibrato in his voice. The depth and feeling. People will cry listening to this song
What I think was the strength of Marillion back then was the intensity that they put in every song, even the most simple ones. Fish was such a great fiery singer and Steve Rothery's solos were so emotional...
Yes! More than one song from Misplaced Childhood! Well done. Best album ever. Yes, best album ever. A couple of the other songs completely give me goosebumps, still. As I've mentioned elsewhere, in an Iron Maiden tour book circa Somewhere in Time, Bruce Dickinson mentioned that he loved this album.
Great reaction. Perhaps my “desert island” album. The lyrics to start are straightforward and later become more complex with multiple interpretations similar to most of his lyrics. Lavender “Dilly Dilly” is a lyrical play on a Childrens’ song, with one interpretation being that the character was not yet mature enough for a true relationship and so he sings a kids song to his love. The usage of the name Kayleigh was the first known usage, after which there was an explosion of girls named Kayleigh in the UK and beyond that are all about 20-30 years old right now. 😃 I would also suggest the Hotel Hobbies/Warm Wet Circles/That Time of the Night trilogy off their next album.
It is a pity that you listened to the 3 songs individually and not as they are available on the album. This is because the songs beautifully flow into each other!! I remember when I heard this album for the first time, back in 1985 ,and was blown away!!! I instantly became a fan of Marillion, and I am a Marillion fan ever since! I'll see them at the Marillion Covention in Leicester, UK, in May 2022 again. Their new album An Hour Before It's Dark will be released on March 4, 2022!!
A Tab of Acid, the loss on a friend and realisation you are not a child any longer but an adult on borrowed time. Mylo is based on a excellent drummer John Mylett from the the UK Liverpool bands Nutz and later Rage who was killed along with his then girlfriend in Ibiza, spain in a fatal car crash. I met John Mylett a couple of times seen him play in Nuts and Rage locally in the late 1970s early 1980s before he was killed.. What a sad tale Misplaced Childhood is. excellent work by Fish..
I'd love to see you react to the opening suite to Marillion Clutching at Straws. Fish's final Lp with the band. Fish has excellent solo material as well. One of the great lyricists of our time. Thanks for adding this to the Daily episodes. The EPL episode on the Patreon is wonderful as well. 😎
Not heard any of this for a few years. Reminds me of my vinyls which are still in the ‘record case’ . I saw Marillion a few times at Hammersmith Odeon, usually with my old Mate Martin Mathews (RIP)
Tremendous album in my young life while I was an exchange student over in Germany in 87-88 (Hamburg). They were one of my first concerts. Thanks for the video.
Only now I’ve got around to watching this…as ever found it insightful. Brought back so many memories …The Misplaced Childhood Tour was the first gig I was allowed to go to with friends! Doug, you may find Fish’s song “Garden of Remembrance” about early onset dementia an interesting listen
The rest of the album after Lavender is more interesting musically, even getting into some metal and prog styles one wouldn't expect from this sampling. MC is the breakout album for Marillion internationally, and straddles the line between pop and the more typically complex music Marillion we're doing in the first two parts of this album trilogy. I'll always maintain the 80s were the last widely interesting decade of published music, and that Marillion were an indisputable part of that.
Thank you for sharing songs from the album "Misplaced Childhood" with us (you hear it far too rarely on the "reaction channels"). Certainly not Marillion's most virtuoso or most complex album, but perhaps the most soulful. Too bad you didn't include the next song "Bitter Suite" as well. For me, that is an essential part of it.
In Lavender he's the song what he heard the children are singing, the children are singing a version of an old nursery rhyme, the dilly, dilly is part of the rhyme.
@@JJDoole - Couldn’t agree more! Always overlooked for the earlier albums but I think it stands out head and shoulders above anything else before or since!
@@JJDoole - I have sold a few mixing desks on eBay but I don’t think any of them were Yamaha. It would have been over a decade ago too when I was in a band. So probably a coincidence but whoever it was had a great name!
Some solo Fish material would make a nice addition to the agenda at some point. "Vigil in a Wilderness of Mirrors" or "View From the Hill" (with Iron Maiden's Jannick Gers on lead guitar) would make great subjects. As would "Internal Exile" or "Credo" from his second solo album. "Goldfish and Clowns" is killer too (from Sunsets on Empire).
pretty many comments cause I found this channel today when listening to the re upload of queen at Live Aid 1985 where I always remember the heat of that day and my preparation of our racing shell after the concert had started and I had to take a break, 2 hours later I went back and misplaced childhood was the album of that weekend in the prepartion of my last country champs or better heats and finals before being drafted to my military duty back then. I heard it day in and out on my walkman just to get the mood for the race ... but still the U2, Queen and howard jones tunes in my mind as Phil Collins face value I guess. Marillion became the name of another racing shell and the brother of my then girl friend was the biggest Marillion fan of all who died a few years later in an unsolved car accident and took her with him. Still enjoy Fish , also Marillion, but nothing comes close to the early albums and the art work we lost when Vinyl disappeared. Still have some of these well crafted albums in Vinyl with the huge booklet.
This band is an absolute treasure. First saw the Kayleigh music video on MTV and instantly fell in love with them. I believe Rush helped bring them to America back then, to help expose them to American audiences. I was blessed with a daughter in 1987 and of course, named her Kayleigh. A brilliant, accomplished, progressive rock band, underappreciated by the mainstream public. They have an extremely loyal following however.
Interesting, yes, i believe they were never very well-known in the U.S., but pretty damn big 1985-1988 in Europe.They constantly toured in Europe at this time.
I remember hearing them play live side one of this album on the tour before its realise. Lavender was not included and the Lyrics for Kayleigh were different, and i thought much better then on the final realise. i think there are still recordings of these gigs at Hammersmith Odeon available to listen to on line or as extras on some of the remasters.
There you have it; can never tell what will catch someone's ear and heart forever, and skip over someone else. TDD wasn't move by any of this beautiful music drama unfolding into his ears.
Such an instantly absorbing sounding album, having heard it played on the off chance at my girlfriend's house recently. I always thought 'clutching at straws' was their supreme album, but instantly recognised similarities with this earlier album, which is equally, if not better.......
Kayleigh is one of my FAVORITE songs and I'm shocked anybody knows it. It was not big in the US. I found it by accident around 1986 and fell in love with the song as a teen. I used to want to name my first child Kayleigh but...he was a boy and that would have been awkward for him, lolol
The album grows darker and darker with each song. Recommend to do the complete album. It was Fishs masterpiece
I prefer Clutching At Straws to Misplaced Childhood -- talk about dark! But, both are masterpieces.
Someone's not paying attention.
Clutching is the masterpiece. I even prefer the debut over Misplaced.
Blind Curve is the nadir (the peak of darkness) - love it…
It absolutely doesn't. It has one of the most triumphant endings in prog. I can't believe I'm even writing this.
Fish-era Marillion is pure magic! I would absolutely love for you to react to the first side of Marillion's "Clutching at Straws" album; it is neck-and-neck in terms of which one is my favorite of their albums.
If I was going to suggest 2 tracks off Clutching- Sugar Mice and White Russian, both epics and show the breadth of Fishes writing as well as a showcase for the group.
"Warm Wet Circles/That Time of the Night (The Short Straw)" would also be pretty amazing tracks, though honestly, there's so much goodness on that album, almost anything works.
To me, CaS is by far the superior (prog) record. But careful, it's deeply depressing; my friends know to call for intervention but it's such an awesome record to hear on full blast with the lights off
Not just the first side, the whole album
@@TheFilwud saw 'new' Marillion play Sugar mice about 10 years ago.. Was hilarious to see Hogarth get p off coz everyone sang along which they had not been doing before. Dont get me wrong, love post Fish Marillion but there is just something about the earlky stuff,
I saw Marillion live in 1986 opening for Rush. I thought Marillion would just play a bunch of songs from their first 3+ albums, but when the show started Fish took the stage and said, "We have just enough time to get this in. This is an album called Misplaced Childhood." With the first notes of "Pseudo Silk Kimono" the crowd roared. Best concert I ever saw. Well worth the 18 hour (!) train ride to get there.
I saw multiple shows on that Rush tour and share your memories. What a fantastic show.
I saw them open for Rush in Detroit and then headline in Grand Rapids on back to back nights.
The first gig I went to they supported Status Quo at Milton Keynes in 1984 - but I was at Brixton Academy shortly after Kayleigh hit the charts. The rear 2/3rds of the audience were couples for whom Kayleigh was "their song"...and then there was us lot in the mosh pit at the front ;-)
That must have been a concert among concerts. Epic!!!! You were so very lucky to have been there.
I saw them headline their own festival at the Milton Keynes bowl in 1986. They played the entire Misplaced Childhood album as their first encore.
You really ought to check out Grendel - perhaps Marillion's magnum opus with Fish. An absolute classic!!!
Let the blood flow!
Grendel! Jaaaa! Absolute love that song!
Doug - please do a review of Grendel by Marillion. This was their show piece from their early period and definitely worth a session of your timed. Plenty of Genesis/ Yes/ PFloyd similarities to get your teeth into...
Yes! Do Grendel!
You should also listen to marbles. And brave. Both outstanding albums.
I've always really loved both _"Kayleigh"_ and _"Lavender"._
Note that _"Lavender"_ is almost certainly a reference to the long-time folk song _"Lavender Blue (Dilly Dilly)",_ done by Burl Ives and Sammy Kaye (among many others, I'm sure). The Burl Ives version is available right here on UA-cam. Hmm. So is the Sammy Kaye version. The version by SK says: _"Charted at #4 in Billboard in December 1948. Vocals by the Three Kaydets. Based on an English folk song and nursery rhyme. It was featured in the 1948 movie, "So Dear to My Heart", as sung by Burl Ives."_
Excellently stated!
Agreed - didn't see your comment before posting myself
Fish at the time said he researched nursery rhymes in the search of something that was pure, with no negative connotations (like Ring of Roses, about the plague).
No "almost" about this being a clear reference to Lavender's Blue, the old folk song ;-)
According to Wikipedia the song originates in the 17th century. There are many versions of it, including the ones you mentioned.
The Fish/Marillion song is very clear about it being a well known song: the narrator hears children sing it in the park.
This is one of the reasons why Misplaced Childhood is such a fantastic album, apart from the great music. Fish really takes the listener on a journey. The whole thing is superb story telling.
And it fits wonderfully in Marillion's oeuvre, cf "Margaret" with Mary's Wedding...
Marillion is a fantastic band. Live they are a beast. Steve is one of the best guitarist you never heard of. His melodies and leads are epic.
In Jan. '85 I arrived at Holy Loch Scotland in the Navy and within months one of my shipmates turned me on to Misplaced Childhood. I immediately fell in love with their lyrics and sound. Being in a half American and half Scottish member band I quickly found out how much metal and hard rocker Scottish loved this band and was hooked for life on the Fish and early Hogarth albums. Decades later I still love listening to them just no longer on vinyl or cassette. I was fortunate to see them twice, once in Edinburgh and at a Donnington Monsters of Rock multi-concert. I still cherish them as a great little "best kept secret" and still to this day I sip Drambuie as mentioned on Clutching at Straws. Doug, I have watched a lot of your review of music I have enjoyed over the the decades and I appreciate your coverage of anything Marillion. I have found that there seems to be a theme of Fish's song and lyrics that were peaking at Clutching at Straws and/or the peak of his struggles with alcohol and whatnot. I also still love the idea of the bands name from Tolkien. Anyway, a little late to the (Garden) party for your review, but thank you.
you really need to take a listen to Marillion's Grendel, it is a prog epic based on the classic poem Beowulf.
And Fish has released some really great solo works one of my favorites is Dark Star
Vigil in a Wilderness of Mirrors. Picks up from Misplaced pretty well. Great "debut" album.
@@JoriDiculous Have to check that out.
I was on that concert in December (with many snow). So this completly album is a "winter-album" for me.
I've always liked the fact that, after the guitar solo, the verse modulates from B minor to C sharp minor, but the chorus stays in D both times. Subtle creativity like that can be really inspiring.
That's what I always liked most about this song.
As a Marillion with Fish true fan since the early 80’s, thank you so much for showing this. I still think Steve Rothery is one of the best guitarists ever.
Please can I ask that you look at their earlier stuff on Script or Fugazi. Fish’s lyrics are real poetry.
Also, they are one of few bands who sound just as good live as in the studio.
Chelsey Monday is a must. Brilliant track.
I agree. Seen them twice and was completely blown away.
I saw them at The Garden Party at Milton Keynes in the mid 80's and they were awesome. It helped that it was a gorgeous sunny day and we were all sat on the grassy bank with a cool box full of cider and wine and some "herbal" ciggies. Jethro Tull were on the bill too who are always great live. Great memories!
@@anjizetland-von-kiesel3346 lucky you! I saw them in 85 or 86 I think at the Brighton Centre. Went with my mate and his older brother. It was brilliant but unfortunately due to my age no wine or herbal ciggies!! I’ve still listened to them ever since. Apart from actually still enjoying their music it has the ability to take me back 30+ years.
@ traffic71 I am sure you enjoyed it just as much! I have just googled it and apparently Gary Moore played as well but I can't remember him which is strange as I like him too? Maybe too much wine and herbal ciggies!! It was 1986 but it seems like yesterday.
Another enjoyable and though provoking analysis - Thanks Doug
As an FYI "lavender's green dilly dilly" is a UK nursery rhythm and the fact that Fish felt that this children's song was the song that he (as a successful rock singer/lyricist) failed to write for his lamented recently lost lover has always been a very poignant thought for me. While I love a diverse range of music, Fish's emotion laden poetic wordplay and singing combined with the musicianship and song writing of the rest of the band was a unique combo and I love all four of the Fish era albums (while still a fan of both' halves later separate work)
Incubus is another excellent Marillion classic.
this was what got me into Marillion and the lyrical genius of Fish and the musical genius of the band
Fugazi was their best.
Clutching was a very under rated album, dark and brilliant.
Yep - puhch & judy as well asfugazi stood out for me
Script is their best imho
@@MrMartinoef Emerald Lies for me ;)
@@Thirdfish assasin as well - mpst of Fugazi actually - might have to dig it out for a listen now 🤣
@@MrMartinoef Weird how it was spelt Assassing.
A brand new Marillion album will be released on March 4th. Can’t wait! We all need more Marillion in our lives
Folks, we all, as Marillion fans, have fond memories of Grendel, but it sounds very much like what it is, a group of teenage Genesis fans trying to write something that sounded like Supper's Ready. There is so much Marillion, even from the Fish era, that I'd love to hear Doug's take on before Grendel. Garden Party, Fugazi, The opening three songs of Clutching.
Or how about he reacts to An Hour Before It's Dark when it comes out next week? Some early reviews say it's their best album ever. I know some folks will never be convinced, but FEAR was transformative for me, and what I've heard so far is amazing.
Fish once said that Script, Fugazi and Misplaced were a trilogy of thoughts. Script was Bedsit thoughts when Fish first joined Marillion and living in bedsits and touring, staying in dingy B&B's. Fugazi was hotel thoughts when the band broke out and staying in hotels. Neither of these were actual concepts but the love songs were about mainly one person, Kay-Lee. She was a former girlfriend of Fish and obviously the inspiration for that song. Then comes Misplaced, a concept album he dubbed Home Thoughts. This was about being on the road and wondering what he should do; be with her, be the big rock star or be back home in Scotland. Its about that break up and when you get to the song Childhoods End, releasing he has to break away from her.
I can relate to this album as it came out just as I broke up with a wonderful girl and I was left devastated. That album got me through a dark period. and although heartbreaking, when you get to Childhoods End, you realise there's reason and hope. Fish is a true poet and he had a great band behind him to put that poetry to music.
Thanks, nice to know these things as a fan.
Pseudo Silk Kimono hits in such a deep, powerful way. One of the best intros ever for one of the best albums ever! Btw you should check out "Grendel" by Marillion too, their best work imo.
Fish who is on the vocals, and an excellent wordsmith, try any track of his solo album Vigil in a Wilderness of Mirrors all excellent
Dude, The beauty of lavender is that everything he wanted to say to this woman He loved, already existed in a children's nursery rhyme. It's that innocence that makes Marillion's song even more beautiful. Kaylee tumbles into the song lavender and the keyboard almost seems to symbolize footsteps as he sings about walking in the park. You're musical ability and knowledge is incredibly impressive but there's a reason why Marillion Fans think that this is the best album ever written. The marriage of the music to the lyrics creates mood that is deeply empathetic.
You nailed this. There is a synergy of lyrics and music that creates an emotion that is the bigger than the sum of the parts. Doug called the lyrics “simple”, but not so: Fish’s end effect is utterly brilliant.
When I'm asked for my favorite Fish era Marillion album, my response is "Script for a Misplaced Fugazi Straw." I really struggle ranking these 4 classic albums. All are really special to me and continue to fascinate and captivate me decades after first hearing them. And the b-sides from '82-'88 are pretty amazing as well!
Another great review Doug. I remember when the world and I first heard the opening tracks of the album. It was broadcast live on BBC radio from the (then) Hammersmith Odeon here in London on December 14 1984, months before it came out. Fish announced the tracks as "part of a 46 minute concept album with 2 tracks, one called side 1 and the other one called side 2 and this was part of side 1 of an album which will be called 'Misplaced Childhood.' "
Weltschmerz is Fishs' final album, The album is amazing and deserves a listen!
"Garden of Remembrance" is stunning. So is the "making of" video here on UA-cam. Brilliant work on many levels.
Uh that hurt when you stopped it just before Kayleigh! I love that transition.
Uncle Doug, please, give us more Marillion.This is my favorite band and you my favorite reactor.Please, give me this simbios, made more reactions to this great rock collective!Script For a Jesters Tear, Fugazi, second part of Misplaced Childhood and Clutching at Straws been waiting for you!
The transitions from song to song are part of what makes this album so great for me. Quite a jolt to pause between tracks.
There are some Genisis moments in this.
EXCELLENT CHOICE! Misplaced Childhood affected me so much I named my first born Kayleigh.😏
My daughters name is Kayleigh Gabriel!
@@quintisalive I se what you did there! hahaha
You're not alone - Kayleigh rose from nowhere to be in the top 10 UK girls names list for many years thanks to this song...
My best friend named his first born Kayleigh. Rather obscure here in the States.
Didn't Fish create the name himself ? ( if I'd had a daughter it would have been first choice )
Kayleigh was one of my brother's favorite songs - we played it at his memorial service. Bittersweet to hear it again.
You did him proud....may he rest in peace.
Check out "Brave." A masterpiece with Hogarth on vocals.
Is was born in 1999 and Kayleigh is one of those special songs that make me feel nostalgic for a time I didnt even live through
Love Marillion- this album hooked me immediately back then!
Rothery was such a great "counterpunch" guitar player. Nothing too flashy, just always perfect for the song.
We need a reaction to the song "Greatest Escape"! Marillion masterpiece!
Would love to see you react to full album’s from Fish’s solo career, too, Doug, particularly ‘Vigil In A Wilderness Of Mirrors’, one track of which features Iron Maiden’s Janick Gers 😊
I saw the whole album performed by Fish live in Warsaw several years ago. It was magnificent
Kayleigh isn't a favorite of mine but this album is like therapy for me, having been an abused child. I listen to it whenever I need a release from my personal demons. A true masterpiece. Fish is the man
It's so strange to go back and listen to Burl Ives's "Lavender Blue (Dilly Dilly)" from Disney's movie "So Dear To My Heart" (which itself is a version of an old English folk tune) that this track borrowed from. I actually knew this version before I ever heard the Burl Ives version so that was a fun backwards way to discover it.
It makes perfect sense that Fish's voice reminds you of Peter Gabriel, as he was his main influence, and Genesis was Marillion's main influence at the time. Then, they evolved and crafted their own individuality with Steve Hogarth on vocals and songwriting.
Love it. One of my favorite bands. "Kayleigh" still makes me cry. Their new one that's coming out is amazing. Thanks for the video, Doug.
The C# the go after the Kayleigh's solo has to be my favorite modulation of all time, it sounds just heavenly
I hope you don't mind Doug but i've just shared this in a Whatapp group i'm in with Steve Rothery (Marillion's guitarist).
This album is a true 80's classic and, you're right, the Peter Gabriel resemblance is very strong. Misplaced Childhood was one of the first "neo-prog" albums - with this type of synthesizer sound, this style of Genesis-influenced vocal, and a less complex, more melodic and through-composed style of music (more Genesis, Pink Floyd, and Collins-era Genesis than other, highly complex prog bands like ELP, Yes, Rush, etc.)
Other bands playing this style since then are IQ, Pendragon, Arena, Jadis, and Shadowland. "Harvest of Souls" by IQ has been recommended before and I would also strongly suggest checking out Pendragon, specifically something off The Masquerade Overture, The Window of Life, or Not of This World (three pretty much untouchable neo-prog albums), if you like this style.
Nicely summarised.True, Marillion (like Genesis and Kansas, very underrated in prog circles) were more song/lyric-based than on instrumental wizardry.
Thank you Doug in my opinion the best lyricist ever Fish has the ability to touch your soul with his song writing his last album was outstanding if you delve into his work you will see that his lyrics are full of metaphors and dark subjects he was well ahead of his time in the 80,s tapping into current affairs and what was happening in the world
Kayleigh was written about a former girlfriend of Fish - real name Kay Leigh - who he split up from as Marillion started to become more well known. Fish tells the story of the lyric, their relationship breakup and their subsequent meeting many years later in an interview at the link below.
ua-cam.com/video/fXQm2H8ygxA/v-deo.html
I thought that her name was Kay Lee and then Fish came up with Kayleigh because other band members were uncomfortable with a direct naming of a person they knew?
Ahh how horribly sad. All these years and I never knew that backstory...or even that a backstory existed! Now that I do know it, I love that Fish accents her real name the last time he mentions it. A lovely and deeply poignant touch at the end to see a photo of them together. RIP 🌹
@@Vortigan07 Sadly, the girl _Kayleigh_ is about lost her battle to cancer years ago.
@@evanjazzista October 2012, if memory serves
Fish voice is a mix of Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins, strangely enough.
Peter Hammill too.
This is “the” Marillion era. S Rothery’s guitar is magical, for me his solos are as superb as Gilmours, he has the same good taste for crazy bends and great melodies. ❤ the guy!
One of my all-time favorites. It's interesting that you mentioned the familiarity with Peter Gabriel's voice. I've always felt the two most passionate singers I've ever listened to are Fish and Peter Gabriel. They had a capability of reaching into your chest and touching your heart. Fish (Derek Dick) is seriously one of the finest lyricists ever. Lavendar is actually a children's song adapted to fit this mini-suite (as stated by Mr. Drosehn below). My personal favorite Mariliion album is Clutching At Straws. The song White Russian is lyrically one of the most impressives songs ever written. It applies very much to what is happening in Europe this very minute 2-24-22 - give it a listen if you haven't already -- "Uzi's on the street corner!"
If this album is really about Fish's childhood, I am similar with him.
I'm 62 now and I always feel this is the story of my own life.
I saw the guys the first time in the 80's and they touch my heart until now.
Thanks for all your great music over decades ❤👍
Dilly dilly, are lines from the nursery ryme/song its taken from Doug
You must do the last song of their new album that came out yesterday, Care. That last 5 minutes is the best ending to an album ever. The vibrato in his voice. The depth and feeling. People will cry listening to this song
What I think was the strength of Marillion back then was the intensity that they put in every song, even the most simple ones. Fish was such a great fiery singer and Steve Rothery's solos were so emotional...
Happy you did 3 songs, and not just Kayleigh! And now I'm going to enjoy listening to your probably awesome take on it!!!
Yes! More than one song from Misplaced Childhood! Well done. Best album ever. Yes, best album ever. A couple of the other songs completely give me goosebumps, still. As I've mentioned elsewhere, in an Iron Maiden tour book circa Somewhere in Time, Bruce Dickinson mentioned that he loved this album.
The song from the Fish-era I would like you to have a go at, is "Grendel". It is about 18 minutes long but it does contains a few "twists and turns".
I love Ian Mosleys drumming and his sound 👍 And Fish, he gave Marillion another dimension.
Great reaction. Perhaps my “desert island” album. The lyrics to start are straightforward and later become more complex with multiple interpretations similar to most of his lyrics. Lavender “Dilly Dilly” is a lyrical play on a Childrens’ song, with one interpretation being that the character was not yet mature enough for a true relationship and so he sings a kids song to his love. The usage of the name Kayleigh was the first known usage, after which there was an explosion of girls named Kayleigh in the UK and beyond that are all about 20-30 years old right now. 😃 I would also suggest the Hotel Hobbies/Warm Wet Circles/That Time of the Night trilogy off their next album.
It is a pity that you listened to the 3 songs individually and not as they are available on the album. This is because the songs beautifully flow into each other!! I remember when I heard this album for the first time, back in 1985 ,and was blown away!!! I instantly became a fan of Marillion, and I am a Marillion fan ever since! I'll see them at the Marillion Covention in Leicester, UK, in May 2022 again. Their new album An Hour Before It's Dark will be released on March 4, 2022!!
For me one of the best albums out there. When I heard it for the first time in 85, I was hooked..
Doug it was their 4th album. script for a jester's tear - fugazi - real to reel - misplaced childhood
We know these lyrics by heart Doug... just listen...
Please. Do the rest of the album, you gonna get crazy especially with Waterhole/Lords Of Backstage/Blind Curve side two
Thank you Doug..... Please let us not forget the people of Ukraine today and tomorrow.
My 17 year old son, he’s a metal head, loves to hear “That Time of the Night” from Clutching At Straws. He says that song is magical
A Tab of Acid, the loss on a friend and realisation you are not a child any longer but an adult on borrowed time. Mylo is based on a excellent drummer John Mylett from the the UK Liverpool bands Nutz and later Rage who was killed along with his then girlfriend in Ibiza, spain in a fatal car crash. I met John Mylett a couple of times seen him play in Nuts and Rage locally in the late 1970s early 1980s before he was killed.. What a sad tale Misplaced Childhood is. excellent work by Fish..
One of my first live concerts back in the days, totally hooked. Fish‘s voice always gave & gives me chills.
I'd love to see you react to the opening suite to Marillion Clutching at Straws. Fish's final Lp with the band.
Fish has excellent solo material as well. One of the great lyricists of our time.
Thanks for adding this to the Daily episodes. The EPL episode on the Patreon is wonderful as well. 😎
yesyesyes!!! more please from this criminally underrated band -thanks Doug!
I’ve never heard anyone describe Fish’s music as “a very straight forward style of lyric… and plain.” Wild.
Fantastic band, great album, especially the remastered boxset including bluray audio and hi res versions.
that was legendary album...thanx for this reaction video
The daily Doug is with me through thick and thin always.
This is just a touching eternal masterpiece, tyvm 🙏
Not heard any of this for a few years. Reminds me of my vinyls which are still in the ‘record case’ . I saw Marillion a few times at Hammersmith Odeon, usually with my old Mate Martin Mathews (RIP)
Hey Doug love your reactions to and analysis have done any reaction to the band SAGA ? . Especially their older songs . Thanks
Yes, Fish used to sound like Peter Gabriel and yet made fun of Peter sometimes. I remember those days.
Tremendous album in my young life while I was an exchange student over in Germany in 87-88 (Hamburg). They were one of my first concerts. Thanks for the video.
Only now I’ve got around to watching this…as ever found it insightful. Brought back so many memories …The Misplaced Childhood Tour was the first gig I was allowed to go to with friends!
Doug, you may find Fish’s song “Garden of Remembrance” about early onset dementia an interesting listen
A few years ago I heard Kayleigh on a local rock station. I was so hooked on Marillon.
Absolutely my favorite album from the band OMG this is remarkable and what a career they had .
The rest of the album after Lavender is more interesting musically, even getting into some metal and prog styles one wouldn't expect from this sampling. MC is the breakout album for Marillion internationally, and straddles the line between pop and the more typically complex music Marillion we're doing in the first two parts of this album trilogy. I'll always maintain the 80s were the last widely interesting decade of published music, and that Marillion were an indisputable part of that.
I love Lavender so much, every time i hear the reprise of the riff in Bitter Suite makes me cry of joy.
Thank you for sharing songs from the album "Misplaced Childhood" with us (you hear it far too rarely on the "reaction channels"). Certainly not Marillion's most virtuoso or most complex album, but perhaps the most soulful. Too bad you didn't include the next song "Bitter Suite" as well. For me, that is an essential part of it.
Bitter Suit is brilliant. Best part of the album.
For me, Lavender and Bitter Suite have to go together. The contrast between them is magic.
@@guisav Agree. Bitter suit is the best tracks on the album. Blind Curve and Childhood's End sums up the album pretty good too.
I love this album so much.
In Lavender he's the song what he heard the children are singing, the children are singing a version of an old nursery rhyme, the dilly, dilly is part of the rhyme.
Hi Doug. Script for a jester's tear and Fugazi are their best albuns in my opinion. list them please😀
Clutching At Straws.
@@JJDoole - Couldn’t agree more! Always overlooked for the earlier albums but I think it stands out head and shoulders above anything else before or since!
@@iestyndavies7287 You wouldn’t be the Iestyn that I bought a Yamaha AW4416 from on eBay a few years ago, would you?
@@JJDoole - I have sold a few mixing desks on eBay but I don’t think any of them were Yamaha. It would have been over a decade ago too when I was in a band. So probably a coincidence but whoever it was had a great name!
Some solo Fish material would make a nice addition to the agenda at some point. "Vigil in a Wilderness of Mirrors" or "View From the Hill" (with Iron Maiden's Jannick Gers on lead guitar) would make great subjects. As would "Internal Exile" or "Credo" from his second solo album. "Goldfish and Clowns" is killer too (from Sunsets on Empire).
Please do an Extended Play reaction to Script For A Jester's Tear - it's pure magic
thanks for this, I'm on a Fish research quest at the moment, log live the Daily Doug :-p greetings from Caracas
Blind Curve: I. Vocal Under a Bloodlight / II. Passing Strangers / III. Mylo / IV. Perimeter Walk / V. Threshold :)
pretty many comments cause I found this channel today when listening to the re upload of queen at Live Aid 1985 where I always remember the heat of that day and my preparation of our racing shell after the concert had started and I had to take a break, 2 hours later I went back and
misplaced childhood was the album of that weekend in the prepartion of my last country champs or better heats and finals before being drafted to my military duty back then. I heard it day in and out on my walkman just to get the mood for the race ... but still the U2, Queen and howard jones tunes in my mind as Phil Collins face value I guess.
Marillion became the name of another racing shell and the brother of my then girl friend was the biggest Marillion fan of all who died a few years later in an unsolved car accident and took her with him.
Still enjoy Fish , also Marillion, but nothing comes close to the early albums and the art work we lost when Vinyl disappeared.
Still have some of these well crafted albums in Vinyl with the huge booklet.
Sorry I'm late I love how you break things down so I understand
This band is an absolute treasure. First saw the Kayleigh music video on MTV and instantly fell in love with them. I believe Rush helped bring them to America back then, to help expose them to American audiences. I was blessed with a daughter in 1987 and of course, named her Kayleigh. A brilliant, accomplished, progressive rock band, underappreciated by the mainstream public. They have an extremely loyal following however.
Interesting, yes, i believe they were never very well-known in the U.S., but pretty damn big 1985-1988 in Europe.They constantly toured in Europe at this time.
I didn't know they had a connection with Rush, nice.
I remember hearing them play live side one of this album on the tour before its realise. Lavender was not included and the Lyrics for Kayleigh were different, and i thought much better then on the final realise. i think there are still recordings of these gigs at Hammersmith Odeon available to listen to on line or as extras on some of the remasters.
Thank you Doug, i love this hole album, beautifull adolescent memories of those times.
There you have it; can never tell what will catch someone's ear and heart forever, and skip over someone else. TDD wasn't move by any of this beautiful music drama unfolding into his ears.
Such an instantly absorbing sounding album, having heard it played on the off chance at my girlfriend's house recently. I always thought 'clutching at straws' was their supreme album, but instantly recognised similarities with this earlier album, which is equally, if not better.......
Kayleigh is one of my FAVORITE songs and I'm shocked anybody knows it. It was not big in the US. I found it by accident around 1986 and fell in love with the song as a teen. I used to want to name my first child Kayleigh but...he was a boy and that would have been awkward for him, lolol
I adore this record. I had become disenchanted with Genesis going poppy. And I ran across this... and Kayliegh in particular