Fish At The Peel
Last night (August 16), Fish played a special low key show at The Peel in Kingston. We sent Xavier Russell down to investigate.
Former Marillion court jester Fish made a triumphant return to the London stage at Kingston’s progtastic venue The House Of Progression, in The Peel. Inevitably, it was packed, even the overspill bar had to be opened to accommodate the throng of Fish/Marillion diehards.
Fish was on fine form and could quite easily make a second career as a stand
up comic/stroryteller. He’s very reminiscent of fellow Scot Billy Connolly, with his sarcastic wit, and deadpan delivery. There were many highly amusing anecdotes, the pick of the bunch being his remarks about Facebook Sluts, Internet Dating and The Twin Towers (no, not Wembley Stadium!).
And let’s not forget the music. Fish has a vast back catalogue of hidden treasures. So out of the hat came a mixture of solo material and a sprinkling of Marillion Faves. Highpoints were rousing versions of State Of Mind, Zoe 25, Fugazi, Kayleigh, the hypnotic Lavender and the very Who-esque Sugar Mice.
Fish certainly gives value for money these days, with a set that ran for close on two-and-a-half hours. He was also then happy to sign endless autographs, CDs T-shirts, etc. Fish later told me this current tour has been his most enjoyable for many a year. You only had to look at his beaming face as he went in search of another bevy. I’d love to see him now do a tour as a raconteur.
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Hard to disagree with anything Xavier said, I saw him in Stratford a couple of days before, to revisit Vigil and his early works seems to be suiting him these days. The 3F’s were in fine form. Fish, Frank & Foss.
too right, fish is brilliant as a stand up! sounded like a great gig too.
BACK TO MARILLION. marillion did excellent works after him, like season ends, brave, etc… however I think it´s the time, the place, the hour to give the pleasure to the people to hear live misplaced childhood enterely or tracks like chelsea monday. fish a pure heart of lothian
Sorry Luis, but you’re barking up the wrong tree. Fish has said himself that he couldn’t even try to sing many of the early Marillion songs now. When he does some of them live, the key has been dropped so low Barry White could have sung them. The Big Man is much better off sticking to his own excellent solo material and Marillion are far better off with Steve Hogarth. If you want to hear Script again, then go see Mick Pointer’s “Script For A Jester’s Tour” that goes on the road occasionally. A great show.
thanks for the advice. but I still think, for example marillion playing next year at hight voltage with fish would be incredible. look , for example judas priest I remember one show in cadiz it was so perfect that was a little bit boring… yes we missed rob so much, doesn´t matter if the voice is 40% of what it used to be. rob and fish fill the stage, and got the whole audience in the palm of their hands in just one touch.
@luis – did you miss the Return to Childhood tour and album?
Fish performed several early songs at the fan club convention last year.. including Script, Incubus, and many others…
It was a great night.Of course he can’t sing the Marillion songs in the original keys, as I am sure none of us are as nimble as we were 25+ years ago.
The important thing is that the songs he did play, which was a good blend of solo & Marillion stuff,sounded really good.
I think he, Frank & Foss are enjoying the freedom that this format is offering, with no fixed set list & not having to play every night to keep the touring ‘machine’ viable.