Elly Roberts reviews
Marillion: Marbles On The Road
Distributed by
Intact
- Cert:
- Cat.no: INTACTDVD1
- Running time: 90 minutes
- Year: 2004
- Pressing: 2004
- Region(s): 2, PAL
- Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1
- Languages: English
- Widescreen: 1.78:1
- Disc Format: DVD 9
- Price: £14.99
- Rating: 8/10
- Booklet: Credits and colour photographs
- Extras: "Marbles" Album EPK, "You're Gone" Video, "Don't Hurt Yourself" Video
Eva Cassidy could sing anything. It was mostly other people’s songs.
Remember the halcyon days of Progressive Rock? Many people called it aggressive
rock – not so. The idea was explored in the late 60’s to early 70’ through
bands like Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Yes and Genesis. Then the monster died
with the advent of Punk Rock - a reaction to the pompous self-indulgence of
its perpetrators.
For a decade it had virtually dominated the serious music scene. As Punk died
within two years, up pop this band called Marillion. Tagged as
the "new Genesis" from the outset, their singer Derek Dick, aka Fish, he did
the make-up routine and even sounded like Peter Gabriel. They brought a
refreshing approach to the genre, even having two major chart hits with
Kayleigh and Incommunicado.
They made their name with lengthy orchestral opuses and spectacle driven shows.
In all they scored 23 Top 100 entries between November '82 and June '95. Fish
left in 1988, to be replaced by Steve Hogarth. Behind those hits was a strong
conviction and determination to continue making music that set them free from
the three minute pop song.
Those principles still prevail today, but the format has changed into a leaner
template. This show states there’s still life in the old 'Prog-Rock' dog with
a fantastic nights work at this concert from earlier this year.
Filmed over a sell-out weekend, 11 and 12 July at London’s Astoria Theatre,
this DVD documents Marillion’s live presentation of their critically acclaimed
album. Also, after a ten year hiatus, they made a welcomed return with a new
single – You’re Gone, peaking at number 7 in the spring of this year.
Not having heard the
Marbles
album, I’ve been taken quite by surprise myself.
Having lost a personal interest in them since the departure of Fish, this DVD
has sparked a renewed interest. If this show is anything to go by, the album
should be labelled a classic.
Replicating the album in non-sequential format, they do what most bands don’t
do – explore dynamics. Sometimes it’s nice and gentle – the delightful ballad
Angelina is a great example, as are the four parts of Marbles and
the divine Fantastic Place.
The opening is a monster – Invisible Man is all about Prog-Rock;
brilliant guitar work by Steve Rothery takes us on a wonderful musical journey.
They can really rock it a bit too. The Damage being a blistering reminder
that people still want this kind of escapist music. Some of it is simply
breathtaking. Don’t take my word for it – buy it, and you won’t be
disappointed. Tip - best listened to with headphones !
The full list of tracks included are :
Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2010.
