2017 - October 24 - Script for a Jester's Tear

Today's song is how Marillion introduced themselves to the LP buying world. They had released the single Market Square Heroes prior to the release of the album Script For A Jester's Tear in 1983. Led by a tall and charismatic Scotsman going by the name Fish (his real name was Derek Dick), they had Mick Pointer on drums for a little bit longer (he was fired after their UK tour for the album) before he was replaced by Ian Moseley, who still remains with the band. Fish left in 1988, with Steve Hogarth as the new lead singer, while the core of the band - Pete Trewavas on bass, Mark Kelly on keyboards, and Steve Rothery on guitar - still remains the same. The departure of Fish was such a dramatic one that people still are split on what version of Marillion they like better - the 5 years (on records, 9 in total) with Fish or the 29 years with Steve Hogarth. I was solidly entrenched in the Fish camp, but I have come along with h. and may actually go see them when they come to Grand Rapids next year. But there is no doubt that they are a very different band depending on who sings - much like one could say about Genesis.

The song today is really strong. It is also long - and it has the same melancholy quality to it as the songs of the last few days. That might mean I have to bring out a raucous rocker tomorrow just to change the pace, but for today, I am sticking with Marillion and Script From A Jester's Tear...