VIGIL IN A WILDERNESS OF MIRRORS

After they parted ways, Fish and Marillion recorded albums around the same time. Marillion released the quite disappointing Seasons End (well, it WAS VERY disappointing at the time. Remember, it is the studio album that comes after the Clutching At Strawas masterpiece). So I was quite suspicious of what Fish´s first solo efford would sound like. Specially after a friend of mine told me he probably would turn out a kind of Phil Collins kind of LP, since he read the credits and it included a horn section.Anyway, I took my chances and bought the album as soon as it was out.

What a masterpiece of prog music it proved to be! In fact, it sounded a lot more like Marillion then Marillion on Seasons End, and it was not just for Fish´s familiar voice! While Marillion recorded a mostly AOR/alternative kind of CD, Vigil In a Wilderness of Mirrors is prog rock, no less. Fish found a fitting partner in Mickey Simmonds and the musicians are all top notch. Everything works on this album and it became one of my favourite albums of that time (and after that too). Highlight are many, but I still think the title track is one fo Fish´s greatest moments (solo or with Marillion). The Wedge, Family Business and View From The HIll (his snide comment about Marillion, albeit a cryptic one) are all memorable tunes with some of his best lyrics.

I still have the vinyl LP, but I could not resist buying the remastered version on CD, not only for the sound quality, but also for the extra six tracks (four from singles b sides, not as good as the LP tracks but still worth having them). It was one of the best albums in 1990, if not the best. A masterpiece. highly recommended!