REAL TO REEL

'Real To Reel' is the debut live album of Marillion and was released in 1984. The live performances on this album were recorded from two distinct places and in two completely different countries in two different Continents. The four first tracks were taken from a live show at the Spectrum in Montreal, Canada and the last three tracks where taken from a live show at the Montfort Hall, Leicester, England. Both concerts were performed in the same year. The year was 1984.

This live album was released after the release of their second studio album 'Fugazi', wich was released in the same year, the year of 1984. It was released after the departure of their original drummer and founding member Mick Pointer, who left the group to join to another new neo-prog band, at the time 'Arena'. So, the drummer on this album is their current drummer, Ian Mosley. So, the line up on 'Real To Reel' is Derek Dick, 'Fish' (vocals), Steve Rothery (guitars), Mark Kelly (keyboards), Pete Trewavas (bass) and Ian Mosley (drums).

'Real To Reel' was re-leased in 1997, as two disc set, with 'Brief Encounter', an EP originally released in 1986 to promote the band on their U.S.A. live tour, in 1986. That EP has five tracks. It has an extended version of 'Lady Nina', the single version of 'Freaks' and also the live versions of 'Kayleigh', 'Fugazi' and 'Script For A Jester's Tears'. The original standard vinyl version from 'Real To Reel' has only six tracks, two songs each from their first two studio albums and two songs which were released only as singles. However, the CD version, which is mine and that I'm going to review, has another track which was only originally released as a bonus track on the CD and the cassette versions.

So, my CD has seven tracks. The first track 'Assassing' and the second track 'Incubus' were originally released on their second studio album 'Fugazi', in 1984. The third track 'Cinderella Surch' was originally released as the B side of their single 'Assassing' originally released on 'Fugazi'. The fourth track 'Emerald Lies' was also originally released on 'Fugazi'. The fifth track 'Forgotten Sons' and the sixth track 'Garden Party' were originally released on their debut studio album 'Script For A Jester's Tears', in 1983. The seventh track 'Market Square Heroes' was originally released on their debut EP 'Market Square Heroes', in 1982. It was the first track on that EP, as the A side. It was also originally released as the A side of their debut single with the same name 'Market Square Heroes', also released in 1982.

About the tracks chosen to be part of this live album, 'Assassing' is a very energetic track with a touch of an Islamic music, with a beautiful interlude, a good bass line and a very dynamic drumming. It became one of their classic tracks. 'Incubus' is a track with a strong structure, a melodic composition and a different tempo. Its music moves dynamically all over the song with smooth musical transitions from one melody to another. 'Cinderella Search' remains, for me, as one of my preferred songs from the 'Fugazzi' sessions, though not featured on the original album. 'Emerald Lies' is a good track but it isn't one of their best. It sounds a bit na've when compared with some of the others. Still, it has a good bass line, great guitar melody, the vocal dynamics are very good and the lyrics are simple and clever. 'Forgotten Sons' is a song with very powerful lyrics and with a clear political message. This is, in my opinion, one of their best pieces of music. 'Garden Party' is a great track. The lyrics are absolutely fantastic, very satiric, and it represents perhaps Fish's best lyrical performance on the entire album. This song reminds me strongly the very personal and unique style of Peter Gabriel in Genesis. 'Market Square Heroes' is a pleasant song with a good melody. Despite be a bit commercial and not very progressive, it's a compelling track that shows their superior song writing skills, even in those times.

About the live performance, there are some powerful moments on 'Real To Reel'. It's a trip to hear Fish stop singing during 'Garden Party' and 'Market Square Heroes' to let the audience take over the job, and they don't miss a single beat. But what surprises me is that the material from the 'Script For A Jester's Tear' period is just as strong as the great material from 'Fugazi'. Yes, 'Forgotten Sons' is still a bit overblown, but 'Garden Party' really shines, especially when paired up with 'Market Square Heroes'. It's as powerful as 'Assassing' and 'Incubus' that open this live album.

Conclusion: 'Real To Reel' is a great debut live album. They were careful with the inclusion of two songs from their debut studio album, two songs from their second studio album, three on the CD version, a song from their historical debut EP and a song only released as a single. However, some of their best and most representative material of their beginning aren't present here, like 'Script For A Jester's Tear', 'The Web', 'Fugazi' and especially 'Grendel'. By the other hand, despite the live performance be very competent, very few things distinguish the live tracks from the studio versions. Nevertheless, 'Real To Reel' still is a great album and a magnificent live performance of some of their best and most representative songs comprising their earlier musical period, played with fantastic and conviction energy.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)

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