THE THIEVING MAGPIE - LA GAZZA LADRA

This blew my expectations to smitherines. For fans like myself who are more into the Fish era of MARILLION you can't go wrong with this live double disc recording that spans those first four incredible albums.The second disc includes the whole of "Misplaced Childhood" played in it's entirety and considering that's my favourite album from them it's a real pleasure to hear this.This whole recording sounds fantastic though as these songs equal and often surpass the studio versions.

Not a fan of the Classical crap to open the proceedings and even "Slainte Mhath" seems to get off to a slow start.That all changes with "He Knows You Know" with those passionate vocals and guitar. Nice finish too. "Chelsea Monday" might be my favourite of disc one.The emotion is incredible and Rothery is playing with lots of that. "Freaks" sounds good once it gets going.

"Jigsaw" with those repeated words "Stand straight, stand straight" is a killer turn. "Punch And Judy" is a fan favourite.Those words "Whatever happened to..." have so much emotion. "Sugar Mice" is beautiful. "Fugazi" is a great track with the early piano and vocals.

"Script For A Jester's Tear" has so much passion after 2 minutes and emotion after 6 minutes. "In Communicado" builds and there's lots of synths and energy as the vocals join in. Uplifting after 2 1/2 minutes then again at 4 minutes. "White Russian" is a great song to end it with and a top three from disc one. Love the drumming and Fish's passionate vocals. I like the calm too 4 minutes in. So we get about 70 minutes dedicated to three of their albums then 42 minutes for my favourite album by them. No problem here.

Disc two as I mentioned is "Misplaced Childhood" played in it's entirety.This is simply a joy for me and I like the way many of these tracks blend into one another. Apparently this was the first time they had played this complete album live, but I think this was also the last.The atmosphere is incredible on the opening "Pseudo Silk Kimono" as it blends into one of my favourites in "Kayleigh". So good."Do you remember...". It blends into "Laveneder" where the crowd is clapping along. "Bitter Suite" is about the atmosphere and random drum patterns early. Love the guitar later. I like when Fish shouts "Rain on me" in the song "Heart Of Lothian".

"Waterhole (Expresso Bongo)" has atmosphere and guitar before it kicks in. Nice percussion too. "Lords Of The Backstage" has some energetic guitar from Rothery late followed a great section after 4 1/2 minutes. "Blind Curve" opens with atmosphere and spoken words as the drums beat. He shouts out after 2 1/2 minutes then it gets fuller after 3 minutes. "Childhood's End?" has guitar to start as the crowd claps along. "White Feather" ends it with some fast paced vocals from Fish and a big finish.

Easily 4 stars and i'm so glad to own this.