FROM STOKE ROW TO IPANEMA - A YEAR IN THE LIFE (DVD)

Imagine if you are a die hard fan of Marillion Fish era and you see this DVD displayed at your local DVD store. Would you buy it? You might not. Well, I guess your reason would be two-folds. First, you are still disappointed that the band's previous lead singer (Fish) left the band and since then you thought that the band was totally disbanded. Without Fish , how would you call the band as Marillion? Second, this DVD was released in 1990 and there is a caption at the DVD cover that says: One Year In A Lifetime . How could it be? Marillion was formed in 1979, made a successful debut "Script For A Jester's Tear" in 1983. At least, the band had been alive for minimum 10 years and definitely NOT one year.

The producer did not actually intend to cheat you really. He just meant that the DVD covers the band's history with new singer Steve Hogarth. Having been one year the new singer on board, EMI thought that it was necessary to make a review of how the band was progressing especially after the release of the new album "Seasons End". So, don't get surprised that the DVD started with a lot of background on the process of hiring h. Half of Disc 1 contains interviews with the band members (especially h) about this background.

Disc One : Interviews and Some Live Footage

Unlike most rock DVDs, this package starts with interviews with hogarth, Steve Rothery, Ian Mosley and Mark Kelly on the process of finding new vocalist for the band as it was advertised at Melody Maker in December. I don't know why Pete Trewafas (bass) was not interviewed. Initally, I didn't really like this part and I tended to skip the interviews that was filmed Starbridge Studio backyard. But the more later I was so curious about the process. After short introduction about the band since its inception until Fish left the band - displayed with printed words on a TV screen only - it continues with a "Hooks In You" video. It the was followed with Hogarth explaining how he was so nervous before the video shoot in front of 600 crowd. To his surprise the crowd was chanting his first name and he first thought that it was for Steve Rothery. I quite enjoy Hogarth's vivid explanation about his background prior to joining the band. He was previously with a band called Europeans which later was disbanded and he continued forming new band named as How We Live until they reached a "Dry Land" album. It was up to that point he felt that the band was going nowhere. Ian Mosley gives an explanation about his job for listening to the tapes / cassettes they received for vocalis audition until he finally got Hogarth's tape and he thought it was suitable for the band.

Quite an interesting story actually. Especially, I like the facts that the band members did not push Hogarth to be someone else and they even encouraged H to be as himself - not someone else. And man .. if you are a die hard fan of Marillion, you will be touched with this story! I think the band members were just humanistic and did not want to live in the past. Fish left the band and they had no intention to disband Marillion. The band had to move on . bravely (as Dream Theater said in "Spirit Carries On" lyrical part : "Move one bravely .." Hello! This was 1990! Scene From A Memory was not born yet . So sorry!). As for my case, I was not into Marillion with Hogarth era because I love Early Marillion music not the new one with ambient style and less melodic music. But, having seen this DVD, I can then appreciate the band facing the fact finding replacement for a new lead singer.

At approximately minute 16 there is a video shoot on "Script For A Jester's Tear" with Hogarth on vocal. The band really rocks! I love this partial shoot because it really reminds me the glory of the band in the 80s. I also love the part where Steve Hogarth gives his highest appreciation to Job Price - a genius who helped Hogarth invented wireless keyboards where Hogarth can play it with his gloves, withouth touching a real keyboards. It's like a virtual keyboards but with a true sound of keyboards. He explains how the wireless keyboards work at his finger tips using a pair of gloves. He then demonstrates the keyboards in the studio with the help of Mark Kelly and Steve Rothery.

The live footage from the band concert in Brazil is also an excellent one even though the technical quality of the picture and sound are poor. But I don't really care. The crowd was crazy and the show was awesome. "Kayleigh" and "Lavender" were interpreted with his own way of singing and they sound excellent to me. The disc also covers the background of "Easter" and followed with its video clip.

Disc One concludes with the band's current work for next album which would be due couple of months later. It's good that the band plays one of the new album material live in the rehearsal studio with "This Town". Well. you know it .. the next album was titled "Holidays in Eden" which I have reviewed already at this site.

Disc One : 'Live at the De Montfort Hall'

It's an excellent concert. It impressively starts with "The King Of Sunset Town" (6:42) from "Seasons End" album. The band plays the opening, dominated with Pete Trewavas bass playing in ambient music background comprising keyboard and guitar. It flows beautifully and Hogarth goes on stage with his powerful voice. It continues seamlessly with "Slàinte Mhath" (4:37) from "Clutching AT Straw" album. Yes, there is a quite different vocal style of Fish and Hogarth but that's okay, Hogarth sings beautifully.

"Uninvited Guest" (4:50) starts with Hogarth's act on his wireless keyboard he showed us at Disc One. It's quite interesting as he plays the virtual keyboard with the help of a glass screen hung at the stage. It's quite entertaining to see him plays his keyboard that way. As for my case, I have never seen something like this before. The Fish parts like "Warm Wet Circles" (3:51) and "That Time Of The Night" (6:00) are performed excellently with practically no complaint from me.

I do enjoy when the band plays "Seasons End" (7:50) and "The Space... "(6:34). The band put their concerted efforts to make the show as perfect as possible and they show it through this concert. "The Space" has been my favorite Hogarth era track and they perform excellently. Again, Hogarth dares to play Fish era songs. First the legendary "Kayleigh" (3:50) who has made Marillion name rocketing in the mid 80s, followed with a love song "Lavender" (2:43), the heroic "Heart Of Lothian" (2:54), and "Incommunicado" (5:08). I'd prefer Fish to sing these songs but Hogarth does fine with these three songs and I'm satisfied.

Conclusion

Marillion is for me "the" band that has made great emotional impact through its powerful compositions and melody - especially in their early years. But I don't mind enjoying this DVD even though the time where the band had great melody and dynamic structure had gone, I still consider this DVD package as excellent addition to any prog music collection. For those who never knew Marillion before might as well enjoy this DVD. Recommended. Keep on proggin' .!

"Don't let yesterday take up too much of today."

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