Tracks
The album contains thirteen tracks, most of which have been singles, in non-chronological order. There are three songs each from the first two solo albums, Vigil in a Wilderness of Mirrors (1990) and Internal Exile (1991); "Just Good Friends" from Internal Exile appears in its 1995 re-recorded version featuring Sam Brown. The other two solo albums – Suits (1994) and Sunsets on Empire (1997) - are represented by two songs each. The 1993 studio album with cover versions, Songs from the Mirror , is not represented. Also not included are the singles "The Company" (1990) and "Change of Heart" (1997), which had only been released in Germany and the UK, respectively. Instead, two songs that were planned as singles but never released, are included – "Lucky" (1991) and "Goldfish and Clowns" (1997). All tracks appear in their original album versions, except for "Goldfish and Clowns" and "Lady Let It Lie", of which the single edits are used. Additionally, the album contains two new tracks. Both are products of Fish's participation in a songwriters retreat organised by Miles Copeland III at his castle Marouatte in France (incidentally the same place where Marillion had recorded Brave ) in the spring of 1998. "Mr. Buttons" was co-written with Maia Sharp and Andy Gardiner; "Chasing Miss Pretty", a pure pop song, with Chris Braide and American guitarist Dave Bassett. (Another three songs from these sessions would end up on the forthcoming album Raingods with Zippos .) "Chasing Miss Pretty" was planned as a single, but never materialised.
Derek William Dick, better known by his stage name Fish, is a Scottish singer-songwriter and occasional actor.
Clutching at Straws is the fourth studio album by the British neo-progressive rock band Marillion, released on June 22, 1987. It was the last album with lead singer Fish, who left the band in 1988, and is a concept album.
"Kayleigh" is a song by the British neo-progressive rock band Marillion. It was released as the first single from the concept album Misplaced Childhood. It was the band's most successful single in the UK, where it peaked at number-two and stayed on the chart for a total of 14 weeks. It also became the band's most successful single worldwide, reaching the top 10 in the Republic of Ireland, Norway and France and became the band's sole appearance on the United States Billboard Hot 100, hitting number 74 in October 1985.
Mark Wilkinson is an English illustrator. He is best known for the detailed surrealistic cover art he created for a number of British bands.
Seasons End is the fifth studio album by British neo-progressive rock band Marillion, released in 1989. The album was the first to feature current lead vocalist Steve Hogarth, following the departure of former vocalist Fish in late 1988. It reached number 7 on the UK Albums Chart.
Vigil in a Wilderness of Mirrors is the debut solo album by Scottish neo-progressive rock singer Fish, released in 1990.
Internal Exile is Fish's second solo album after leaving Marillion in 1988. The album, released 28 October 1991, was inspired by the singer's past, his own personal problems and his troubled experiences with his previous record label EMI.
Songs from the Mirror is the third solo album by Scottish singer-songwriter Fish, released in 1993 as his final album for Polydor. It does not contain any original material; instead it is a cover album featuring Fish's versions of songs by artists who inspired him before his career started. It reached 46 on the UK Albums Chart.
Hal Andrew Lindes is an American–English guitarist and film score composer best known for his time as a member of Dire Straits.
Bouillabaisse is a compilation double album by Fish released in 2005. It is the third "best-of" collection after Yin and Yang (1995) and Kettle of Fish (1998), however, it covers Fish's entire solo career up to the previous year's studio album Field of Crows. The songs are divided into two sets: Disc 1, entitled "Balladeer", and disc 2, entitled "Rocketeer". It also features the single edits Marillion's three biggest hits, "Kayleigh", "Lavender" (1985) and "Incommunicado" (1987). It also features an edited version of "Goldfish and Clowns" from Sunsets on Empire (1997) which has never been released due to the planned single being ultimately cancelled.
"Lavender" is a song by the British neo-progressive rock band Marillion. It was released as the second single from their 1985 UK number one concept album Misplaced Childhood. The follow-up to the UK number two hit "Kayleigh", the song was their second Top Five UK hit, entering the chart on 7 September 1985, reaching number five and staying on the chart for nine weeks. None of the group's subsequent songs have reached the Top Five and "Lavender" remains their second highest-charting song. As with all Marillion albums and singles between 1982 and 1988, the cover art was created by Mark Wilkinson.
Mickey Simmonds is an English session keyboardist, arranger and composer. He is best known for his work with progressive rock acts, Mike Oldfield, Renaissance, Camel and Fish. He has also worked with Joan Armatrading, Paul Young, The Rutles, Art Garfunkel, Kiki Dee, Mastermind, John Coghlan's Diesel Band, Elkie Brooks, Judie Tzuke, Imagination, Bucks Fizz, Jennifer Rush, The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, the list goes on.
Frank Usher is an English guitarist best known for his work in Fish's band. Usher lives and operates a guitar-manufacturing business in Innerleithen, Scotland. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s he has worked with a variety of artists including Mike Heron, John Martyn, Tam White and the locally noted Border Boogie Band.
Suits (1994) is the fourth solo album by former Marillion singer Fish, and his third studio album with original material. It is the first album to be released on Fish's new own label, the Dick Bros Record Company, which he set up after being dropped by Polydor. The album continues the cooperation with producer James Cassidy who had already produced Songs from the Mirror. Cassidy also contributed keyboards recordings and co-wrote five out of ten songs on the original version of this album. Together with keyboardist Foster Paterson, who had been part of the tour line-up since 1992 and co-wrote three tracks, Cassidy takes the role previously held by Mickey Simmonds. Further songwriting credits go to guitarist Robin Boult and bassist David Paton.
Yin and Yang are the titles of two separate compilation albums by Fish co-released in 1995. They are a retrospective on Fish's four solo albums and four albums with Marillion.
13th Star is the ninth solo studio album by Fish since he left Marillion in 1988. Released as a limited edition via mail-order in September 2007 and to retail in February 2008, it is his first since Field of Crows (2004). Released on Fish's own imprint Chocolate Frog Records, retail distribution is handled by Snapper Music.
Sunsets on Empire is the fifth studio album by Fish since he left Marillion in 1988. It was mostly written together with Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree, who co-composed six out of ten tracks on the original version, and also produced the album. Tim Bowness, Wilson's partner in No-Man, has additional writing credits on one track. Two permanent members of Fish's line-up, keyboardist Foster Paterson, and guitarist Robin Boult co-wrote one and two tracks, respectively.
"State of Mind" is a protest song by Scottish neo-progressive rock singer Fish, released as his first solo single about a year after his departure from Marillion and preceding the release of his first solo album Vigil in a Wilderness of Mirrors. It is also the first-ever record Fish did outside Marillion except for his 1986 collaboration with Tony Banks on the single "Shortcut to Somewhere" from the Banks album Soundtracks.
Shortcut to Somewhere was the second single released from Genesis keyboard player Tony Banks's 1986 album Soundtracks. The A-side, which had been part of the soundtrack for the film Quicksilver, featured Fish on vocals, his only commercial recording outside Marillion before his departure from the band in late 1988. Fish also wrote the lyrics for the title track, a fast, keyboard-based pop song similar to the Genesis material of this period, with a typical 1980s production. A section of the song was performed live by Genesis as part of a solo career medley on the 1988 Atlantic Records 40th Anniversary concert. It is the only Tony Banks solo song to have been played live by the band.
Lady Nina is a song by the British neo-progressive rock band Marillion. First released in 1985 on the B-side to the #2 UK hit single "Kayleigh", it was the only single from the EP Brief Encounter released in the United States by Capitol Records in April 1986. A music video was also shot to promote it. While the EP climbed to #67 on the Billboard 200 album charts, "Lady Nina" did not make the Billboard Hot 100, but did reach #30 on the Mainstream Rock charts.
