Marillion has a rare elegance and sophistication. They were pioneers of crowd funding in the 90s and did whatever it took to keep the band alive without major commercial success. Nothing but respect and praise for these guys.
You beat me to mentioning the crowd finding thing. I was lucky enough to be part of that very first crowd, but unlucky enough to be old enough to do so 🤣
I feel the elegance of marillion's music, the poetry written on each verse. they are amazing fish was more of a poet than a singer, and h is more of a singer than a poet
Marillion is definate diamond in the rough and personally breaking with Fish was the best thing as he was destind to have a better solo career and Marillion soared with H. I have a favourite album Brave even though its 30 years old this year and even after F.E.A.R and A.H.B.I.D it really cannot in my ears and mine be favourite As for N.I,. My daughter in Law to be was born in County Antrim and she said was and still awful. And my daughter was in Belfast with her she said it was fine til it got dark. Then she was ut was scarey as hell. Aparently her gf says it is not as people think e.g you are always asked what religion you are. Now the answer is depending on where you live or stay. Even atheists will be sometimes ask 'wel is that a cathoic or protestant Atheist? I know It sound like bull, but it really isn't. I am to go to Belfast soon to meet her parents. I will certainly be seeing the Titanic exhibition but also want to understand the vibe. I was born and brought up as Roman Catholic but am a pagan now. So unfortunatly the troubles are still on a knives edge just bubbling waiting for something to happen. It's the 1st time that the nationalist have the majority, but they wil never swear loyalty to a monarch. So at the moment Stormant is closed for busines. With the protestant faction infighting. And personally I think you should not have to show alligence to the monarchy. If you really want proper reprisentation of the peoples vote, then there should not not on a loyalty of a figurehead who has no political power at all. If it was like that then Northern Ireland would and could be properly representied as could be. N.I is not the only place the monarcy is not liked. Things ay have changed so much, but still not anough. .so it's far more dangerous than I thought. It is so sad. All that work Mo Mowland put in and never truly creditited.
Steve Rothery is a classic example of guitar "virtuosity" without burning the guitar neck.....what he plays is what the song needs....and that's all. The expressive vibrato , the notes choice.... that's what makes of a guitar solo a "great guitar solo". And here we've a bit of sweep picking too.
Listen to Rothery’s guitar solo on “Forgotten sons”. Also one that has that Comfortably Numb vibe. The solo after the line “approach friend” gives me goosebumps every time.
It is. No question about that. Steve makes the guitar sing like the most beautiful voice you have ever heard. I choke up every time I hear it - it's just stunning.
Shout out for the very understated and emotional Rothery solo in Out of This World. He keeps the tension throughout without letting it explode, then floats into waltz time as the vocals return. The RUclips video set alongside the BBC documentary and the original Bluebird crash footage is extremely moving.
One other thing I also want to say about Steve's solo's - they are original. Not just in relation to other guitarists, but in relation to the song. They are never a copy or mimic of the vocals or other melodic ideas from other instruments. They bring a whole new vision to the song, like a book switching narrators. It is not just in note choice, but particularly in his phrasing - the tempo he uses, it is invariably different to the rest of the song so it stands out, but in a subtle way. He is fantastic in hanging against the beat - like he does in this solo, just sometimes. Almost out of time, but not. Hard to explain, but basically he plays parts of the solo just off the rhythm section so it creates tension. It's only when you think about all these things that you realise this is almost never the case with other guitar solos. Without planning it, I listened to Easter 3 times today. One from an h show (no guitar solo), and twice the original CD version. I'm hearing the whole solo in my head now, note for note. It makes me smile. I've known that solo for 30+ years and it is still every bit as fresh as then. I agree with @abonham82 - Steve deserves more recognition.
Go for Brave. I always wondered how the guys in Marillion felt walking away from it. They must have known they would never make anything like it again. Not because their later stuff isn't amazing, I lovet it, but brave is a rare masterpiece.
I'm at the age now where occasionally you think about your demise. I can't be alone in that can I? It isn't morbid it's just that there will be a time when I'm not there. I've brought my daughter up with music that shaped me in my younger years and if there is a celebration of my life then this song has to be on the playlist. It lifts me up and Rothery's solo always moves me almost to tears and at the end I am refreshed. If anyone comes I want them to have that feeling, that hope,and know I'm listening too!
I heard that Marillion used the SECOND take and the first time Steve Rothery played, "H" said (something like) "Whatever you did ... please do it again!" 🥰and Rothery repeated this stunningly beautiful solo. Might be just a rumour though. This is BY FAR my favourite song of all time (and favourite guitar solo - simple though it is).
@@joannecunliffe8067pretty close - they had a cassette running to record the jam that came out of H presenting the leads and so they had a capture of that first solo in low-fidelity. So they had a recording of the original to then reconstruct for the final recording. From there, based on what I've read, when finally recording the album, they did a few takes, and the 2nd is the one used. This was decades before their current approach of recording in multi-track during the writing-jamming and keeping some things as-is on the final recording. Owning your own studio gives some freedoms not found back in those label-driven days.
@@catfdljws As I said, what I heard was a rumour - so always wondered what actually happened. At university (late 1980's), one of my friends (studying music) had an early cheap multi-track tape which used both sides of a stereo cassette tape at once (uni-directional). You could use all four tracks in any way you wanted to including bouncing from track-to-track. I had an acoustic Yamaha 12-string guitar (usually strung as a 6-string) + magnetic pickup. He had a Yamaha DX7 (+ Atari 1040ST with MIDI IN/OUT - he had rich parents 🙄). He also had a fairly basic drum machine (the Atari was a better drum machine) . I had an Amstrad PC1512 + hard disk as I was studying IT - paid for by holiday work! We had great fun with the music gear and even wrote a couple of tracks ourselves!
This is one of the most beautiful songs of their entire catalog, or even one of the most beautiful songs period. Marillion is a great and atypical band, and Steve Rothery's guitar sings like no one else's. I've loved the band (with ups and downs) since l discovered them in 1984.
To this day I can never hear this song and not cry. Especially when when you know the back story of the 1916 Irish rebellion. "What will you do ? Make a stone of your heart? Will it set things right ? Or just tear them apart?"
Me too and I cried listening to this video 😢. My reasons are different though. The album came out when I was at the University of York in the UK (which is a very beautiful place to study with lots of ducks!). I spent hours playing through the acoustic guitar part (and guitar solo) on my own 12-string guitar and just sitting with wonderful friends until the early hours. Such beautiful memories. Such wonderful friends (some no longer with me). Such beautiful music. Such a wonderful band (which I followed from my teenage years).
A good chunk of this album was written with Fish (at least musically). The reissue of Clutching At Straws includes those early versions of these tunes.
1988 - 1989 lots of trouble in Marillion's planet. H came along, he was subtle and brought inner peace. The whole album is full of wisdom and introversion. Fish was gone but we had a new band, that lasts proudly until today. Thank God! The extended version is marvelous...
Underrated and amazing, Marillion is one of the best prog rock bands to ever exist. They never quite broke through with huge commercial success, but their quality and explorational music never wavered. I was going to suggest that you listen to Misplaced Childhood, but it appears that you've already posted a reaction for three songs off that album. Much like 2112 or Operation: Mind Crime, Misplaced Childhood might be worth a complete cover to cover analysis.
Wowsers!! One of my absolute fave Marillion tracks. They have been my fave band since I first heard He Knows You Know on the radio back in 83 or 84. Just such a beautiful song. One of Rothers best if not his best solo. And the coolest thing is he came up with the solo on his first attempt. Thank goodness they had tape rolling as he didn't quite remember what he had played. I spoke to Rothers one time and told him how much I loved his playing and solos. He told me that he tries to put all of his energy into each note. Listen to Pete's bass, Ian's drums, Mark's keys also. Amazing! The Marillion rabbit hole is a very deep but an extremely rewarding one. The albums are all great but, to really appreciate Marillion and get the most out of each song you must see them live. There is an energy, a connection, a certain something that doesn't always get captured on the record. They are five of the best musicians you will ever see. They just produce beautiful, emotion evoking, thought provoking music that touches your heart and stays in your head. I am very biased and think you should listen to and react to every song. Some of my faves are: Angelina (Rothers guitar work is so amazing), Afraid Of Sunlight, King, Slainte Mhath, Neverland, Forgotten Sons, Garden Party, Hard As Love, Uninvited Guest, This Strange Engine, Gaza, Sugar Mice, Berlin, Gazpacho and so many more......
Thanks for the video - I love this song, Season's End was the soundtrack of my college years. I'm from Northern Ireland, you have the outline of the issues there - basically the British put colonists principally in the northern parts of Ireland in the 1680s, protestant settlers from England and Scotland, who settled on land confiscated from the native, Catholic irish. This schism between native and newcomer has erupted in violence many times since then. The descendants of the settlers are largely protestant, want to maintain a union with the UK (Unionists) while the descendants of the Irish natives are still largely catholic and prefer independence from the UK. After a war of independence 26 of Ireland's 32 counties gained independence from the UK in 1921 - 6 counties where the majority of the protestant settlers lived stayed in the UK. The Troubles was the latest eruption of this violence that broke out in this northern statelet in 1968, inspired in part by the civil rights movement in the US - Irish nationalists were second-class citizens in Northern Ireland then, denied a lot of basic rights and any real participation in the economy. I lived through most of it, glad it's over.
Steve Hogarth is a more articulate and deeper songwriter than Fish who makes a big splash with his hippie esoteric lyrics that are fun at first but after a few records wear on you. Steve Hogarth and Steve Rothery are a great combination.
Absolute chills even after all these years. I was a huge fan, following them around the UK throughout the 80's with Fish at the front. I was really apprehensive about this album. I was blown away by the opening bars of Sunset town and to this day this is one of my all time favorite albums.
Easter is Marillion's crowning glory. That guitar solo is utterly beautiful: Steve Rothery is the only guitarist who can rival Andy Latimer for emotion and feel. The lyrics are also so poignant, delivered by the wonderful Steve Hogarth. Seasons End is my favourite Marillion album.
Hi. Marillion is a great progressive rock band that has been active for many years and that combines a large part of its musical repertoire with quite a lot of classical lyrics. There is also a Canadian rock group called Saga that you may not have heard of and that may interest you. listen to and that also has a certain resemblance to that progressive style combined with very good electronic rock with an excellent guitarist like Ian Crichton
I am a 64 y.o. spanish woman, from Spain. When a I was 20, I decided to learn English so I could understand Marillion songs. Easter, with Steve Rothery's solo, always gives me goosebumps.
Great video for a fantastic song. beutifully written. I love how Marillion aren't afraid to use a complex time signature! Also a shout out for your air drumming, we need more! 🙂
Fun story; Saw Marillion on back to back nights in Cincinnati & Cleveland on the Marbles tour...They hadn't played "Easter" in Cincy & we ended up running into Steve Rothery at the hotel & said they should play it that nightt in Cleveland. Fast forward to the end of the show when Rothery goes up & whispers into Steve Hogarth's ear. Hogarth said something about it being rare that Rothery says anything & he said he wants to play "Easter" to end the show & well, they did just that! They have such a special connection with us fans, great band!
I'm going to add my loudhailer voice to all those asking for a full album reaction to Brave, their 1994 masterpiece. It's a concept album - although most of the tracks on it are strong enough to merit individual reactions, there's nothing in this world like sticking the whole thing on and playing the whole 72 minutes uninterrupted. Every so often I still lie back and Play It Loud With The Lights Off, nearly thirty years after it first blew me away as a university student.
I used to have Seasons End and Misplaced Childhood on cassette back when they each debuted. Over the years I got away from Marillion, not by choice but from time. Thanks, Doug, for reintroducing me back to this great band. Just ordered both albums on cd.
Any day now I'll listen to the Hogart-Marillion stuff. I've got the two or three first albums with Hogart, but am still a Fish-man at heart. Everyone keeps saying that the Hogart-era stuff has become good, so I guess I have to go through it, at some point. The strange thing about Marillion is the whole Genesis-connection. Fav band from the mid 80s and through 90s were Marillion, never liked Genesis.
The live version of the song between Dream Theater and the "two Steve" is fun to watch too. You can feel all the love DT has for Marillion and why you can find Steve elements in the John most melodic guitar solos. Sugar mice song is so great too.
Amazing song. I wasnt aware of this song until I watched a clip of Dream Theater performing this with members of Marillion at their famous Ronnie Scotts performance - its on RUclips to check out. Thanks for this upload Doug.
Thank you so much for all of your videos! I enjoy them very much! If you haven't already, please do a reaction vid on "Script for a Jester´s tear". I think you´d enjoy it :D
I think this is a song that most people can relate to on a musical and emotional level. This may be the definitive Rothery solo. I really get the feel of the sea crossing to Northern Ireland from the way the chords flow underneath the melody. The Troubles are a fading memory now for those of us who were not directly involved, but my local area still lives under the shadow of the bombs that were detonated there almost fifty years ago, and friends of mine served in Northern Ireland with the British army, so it was something that touched a lot of people on both sides of the Irish sea at the time.
The 2nd Solo in This Stange Engine moves me to tears every time I hear it. I havent got any words. Yes , I love Easter, but the solo, is merely sublime, but the 2nd of TSE reaches into my soul!
I love it when you do Marillion. 💕 I'm 55 years old and they are my absolute favorite band since I was 17. Recently we traveled with my wife to Paris and Amsterdam for a week and I had my chance of a lifetime to watch them live in Haarlem, near Amsterdam. That was an amazing experience, realization of a dream. Anyway, I love your reactions, especially Marillion ones obviously and I see that you've been enjoying Ian Mosley's solid drumming, as I gather from your air-drumming moves :) I love his style and his mostly overlooked contribution to their music. He more than deserves some mention here and there, I might add. Thanks for the reaction & cheers!
It's interesting that Hogarth sings "north of Ireland" instead of the typical "Northern Ireland". Nice Steve. And a beautiful guitar solo by the other Steve. Slainte.
Sorry that I am a bit late to the party, Doug, but didn't want to miss this reaction. Such a good song, moving up and down the subtle-to-complex scale, and a terrific guitar solo to boot. Magic!
Fantastic song, Steve a local northern lad like myself, Fantastic guitar player, had the pleasure to meet him a few times, the last time was the live concert at the Royal Albert Hall London, also Peter is a great bass player, I play a little bass myself so enjoy his bass playing. Fantastic band ,then and now.
I'm old enough to have lived through "The Time of Troubles" and be appalled by the death and destruction going in not in some distant, barely civilized backwards nation, but in the British Isles/Ireland, essential parts of the Western world. But I don't think the last couple of generations will understand the tragedy behind this song. There has been one much more recent cultural reference that may have made an impression of younger TV viewers. In the series "Sons of Anarchy", the Sons funded their motorcycle gang via the sale of weapons in California obtained from "The Kings", who are portrayed as the current leaders of the Irish Republican Army who have access to international arms dealers and who funded their IRA organization by sales of guns from Ireland via concealed shipments to people like the Sons of Anarchy motorcycle gang in California.
Oh what joy this song brings me. Steve H’s gorgeous vocals. Steve R’s soaring guitar. Goosebumps, magnificent music from a band I’ve loved since 1983 ❤
My first exposure to this band and this song was on Dream Theater's 1998 Live VHS '5 Years in a Livetime', which includes footage from a 1995 show at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in London, where the band played a bunch of covers with various friends (e.g., Metallica's 'Damage Inc." with Barney Greenway from Napalm Death on vocals). Portnoy, Petrucci, and Myung are joined by Rothery (guitar) and Hogarth (vocals and keyboards) for a sublime version of this song, with Hogarth's vocals being a particular highlight.
I was introduced to them in the late 80s. I've seen them with Steve Hogarth 3-4 times. Sadly they do not have much draw in the US anymore. I was seeing them in small clubs like Hammerjacks and the Bayou in Baltimore and DC. Last time was at the new 9:30 Club. They certainly lose money coming here.
My Dear Doug, as you admit yourself, you do not know much about the Fish-era. I urgently recommend to check their first full album "Script For A Jester's Tear" and later, not before the development to "Fugazi". Both albums are about 45 to 50 minutes and full of strong music you should not miss. Fish at his best times, especially his voice. After doing these albums, look for 83 and 84 live bits you can find. Enjoy :)
This song is one of Marillion's cornerstones, especially if you experienced a live performance of it. As I count, I think is a 3/4 music and the bass when the bridge is coming blows your mind. Since I'm a Marillion fan for 35 years, I never never never believed that Steve gets his sound from a Fender quitar, if I didn't know he plays Fender I swore this sound comes a Gibson straight away. Very nice video, cheers from Athens Greece! :)
A good one to do from the back catalogue is Splintering Heart, from the album after this. That's got some great musical transitions, both sudden and subtle. I did a version of it with my cover band and it's really surprised me how deceptively complex that song is while sounding simple. Marillion make it sound effortless. Rothery on fine form on that song as well.
Marillion was my first band i have chosen for myself. I had an cassette player (not walkman) which comsumed batteries like hell. It was the time, where i had my first own money from my job-education and my first love, which ended very unfortunally. So this music remembers my to this time and build an emotional rollercaoster up to today. 😢
Marillion has a rare elegance and sophistication. They were pioneers of crowd funding in the 90s and did whatever it took to keep the band alive without major commercial success. Nothing but respect and praise for these guys.
You beat me to mentioning the crowd finding thing. I was lucky enough to be part of that very first crowd, but unlucky enough to be old enough to do so 🤣
I've participated in the crowd funding of all their recent albums since quite a number of years. I really think they deserve our support.
I feel the elegance of marillion's music, the poetry written on each verse. they are amazing
fish was more of a poet than a singer, and h is more of a singer than a poet
Marillion is definate diamond in the rough and personally breaking with Fish was the best thing as he was destind to have a better solo career and Marillion soared with H. I have a favourite album Brave even though its 30 years old this year and even after F.E.A.R and A.H.B.I.D it really cannot in my ears and mine be favourite As for N.I,. My daughter in Law to be was born in County Antrim and she said was and still awful. And my daughter was in Belfast with her she said it was fine til it got dark. Then she was ut was scarey as hell. Aparently her gf says it is not as people think e.g you are always asked what religion you are. Now the answer is depending on where you live or stay. Even atheists will be sometimes ask 'wel is that a cathoic or protestant Atheist? I know It sound like bull, but it really isn't. I am to go to Belfast soon to meet her parents. I will certainly be seeing the Titanic exhibition but also want to understand the vibe. I was born and brought up as Roman Catholic but am a pagan now. So unfortunatly the troubles are still on a knives edge just bubbling waiting for something to happen. It's the 1st time that the nationalist have the majority, but they wil never swear loyalty to a monarch. So at the moment Stormant is closed for busines. With the protestant faction infighting. And personally I think you should not have to show alligence to the monarchy. If you really want proper reprisentation of the peoples vote, then there should not not on a loyalty of a figurehead who has no political power at all. If it was like that then Northern Ireland would and could be properly representied as could be. N.I is not the only place the monarcy is not liked. Things ay have changed so much, but still not anough.
.so it's far more dangerous than I thought. It is so sad. All that work Mo Mowland put in and never truly creditited.
They invented crowd funding btw.. 😊
Steve Rothery is a genius. Always get goosebumps with his solos.
You can. He was heavily influenced by Andy Latimer of Camel, and there is no-one better to be influenced by.
@@kingcurry6594 True
"Marillion, they’re kind of the best of everything” is probably the most accurate description of this band I’ve ever heard. Great video.
Steve Rothery is a classic example of guitar "virtuosity" without burning the guitar neck.....what he plays is what the song needs....and that's all. The expressive vibrato , the notes choice.... that's what makes of a guitar solo a "great guitar solo". And here we've a bit of sweep picking too.
exactly!
"The Space" - "The Royal Albert Hall"
Live...
Marillion...
OMG
This song has my favorite Rothery guitar solo,easily rivals Gilmour’s Comfortably Numb on feel and signature sound.
Listen to Rothery’s guitar solo on “Forgotten sons”.
Also one that has that Comfortably Numb vibe.
The solo after the line “approach friend” gives me goosebumps every time.
This is one of the best guitar solos. As said, very melodic and tasteful but with a bite. I love it.
I agree, probably one of my top five guitar solos ever. Just gorgeous!
I don’t know why Steve didn’t get the same love as other guitar gods, he’s more than worthy enough
It is. No question about that. Steve makes the guitar sing like the most beautiful voice you have ever heard. I choke up every time I hear it - it's just stunning.
Shout out for the very understated and emotional Rothery solo in Out of This World. He keeps the tension throughout without letting it explode, then floats into waltz time as the vocals return. The RUclips video set alongside the BBC documentary and the original Bluebird crash footage is extremely moving.
One other thing I also want to say about Steve's solo's - they are original. Not just in relation to other guitarists, but in relation to the song. They are never a copy or mimic of the vocals or other melodic ideas from other instruments. They bring a whole new vision to the song, like a book switching narrators. It is not just in note choice, but particularly in his phrasing - the tempo he uses, it is invariably different to the rest of the song so it stands out, but in a subtle way. He is fantastic in hanging against the beat - like he does in this solo, just sometimes. Almost out of time, but not. Hard to explain, but basically he plays parts of the solo just off the rhythm section so it creates tension. It's only when you think about all these things that you realise this is almost never the case with other guitar solos. Without planning it, I listened to Easter 3 times today. One from an h show (no guitar solo), and twice the original CD version. I'm hearing the whole solo in my head now, note for note. It makes me smile. I've known that solo for 30+ years and it is still every bit as fresh as then. I agree with @abonham82 - Steve deserves more recognition.
Easter has my all time favorite guitar solo by anyone ever. I just love it!
Thank you Doug, more Marillion please :)
The live version of Easter with the orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall is amazing!
A wise man once said.... how can you not love this band... - they are simply the best in the business and have been so for years.
Two beautiful halves of music tied together with the most beautiful guitar solo that joins them perfectly. Can't get any better! Thanks Doug.
An album reaction to Brave or Marbles would be amazing. They are two of the best concept albums ever made
I second that. Brave in particular is one of my favorite albums ever. Pure brilliance, top to bottom.
I third Brave. Ye gods, how I love that album.
Brave is INCREDIBLE Live ruclips.net/video/JGws-M1hOBk/видео.html
Great Escape is also amazing
Brave, amazing trip. Lights out and play it loud.
Go for Brave. I always wondered how the guys in Marillion felt walking away from it. They must have known they would never make anything like it again. Not because their later stuff isn't amazing, I lovet it, but brave is a rare masterpiece.
Please have a listen to afraid of sunlight. Just a wonderful album
Such an underrated band. Amazing musicians. Love this track it has everything 😊
I'm at the age now where occasionally you think about your demise. I can't be alone in that can I? It isn't morbid it's just that there will be a time when I'm not there. I've brought my daughter up with music that shaped me in my younger years and if there is a celebration of my life then this song has to be on the playlist. It lifts me up and Rothery's solo always moves me almost to tears and at the end I am refreshed. If anyone comes I want them to have that feeling, that hope,and know I'm listening too!
There is a live video available of the two Steve’s playing this with Dream Theater which is worth watching.
The entire 'Brave' album, or just the song 'Estonia' from 'This Strange Engine' album; can't miss with either!
I've read that Rothery improvised the solo and they used the first take. Not sure if it's true but if it is ... wow!
I heard that Marillion used the SECOND take and the first time Steve Rothery played, "H" said (something like) "Whatever you did ... please do it again!" 🥰and Rothery repeated this stunningly beautiful solo. Might be just a rumour though. This is BY FAR my favourite song of all time (and favourite guitar solo - simple though it is).
@@joannecunliffe8067pretty close - they had a cassette running to record the jam that came out of H presenting the leads and so they had a capture of that first solo in low-fidelity. So they had a recording of the original to then reconstruct for the final recording.
From there, based on what I've read, when finally recording the album, they did a few takes, and the 2nd is the one used.
This was decades before their current approach of recording in multi-track during the writing-jamming and keeping some things as-is on the final recording. Owning your own studio gives some freedoms not found back in those label-driven days.
@@catfdljws As I said, what I heard was a rumour - so always wondered what actually happened. At university (late 1980's), one of my friends (studying music) had an early cheap multi-track tape which used both sides of a stereo cassette tape at once (uni-directional). You could use all four tracks in any way you wanted to including bouncing from track-to-track. I had an acoustic Yamaha 12-string guitar (usually strung as a 6-string) + magnetic pickup. He had a Yamaha DX7 (+ Atari 1040ST with MIDI IN/OUT - he had rich parents 🙄). He also had a fairly basic drum machine (the Atari was a better drum machine) . I had an Amstrad PC1512 + hard disk as I was studying IT - paid for by holiday work! We had great fun with the music gear and even wrote a couple of tracks ourselves!
Commenting on the solo, Ian Mosley (drums) said he didn't know whether Steve Rothery was a genius or a lazy 🤣
There's a video of Steve Rothery playing this song with Dream Theater live.
This is one of the most beautiful songs of their entire catalog, or even one of the most beautiful songs period. Marillion is a great and atypical band, and Steve Rothery's guitar sings like no one else's. I've loved the band (with ups and downs) since l discovered them in 1984.
To this day I can never hear this song and not cry. Especially when when you know the back story of the 1916 Irish rebellion. "What will you do ? Make a stone of your heart? Will it set things right ? Or just tear them apart?"
Me too and I cried listening to this video 😢. My reasons are different though. The album came out when I was at the University of York in the UK (which is a very beautiful place to study with lots of ducks!). I spent hours playing through the acoustic guitar part (and guitar solo) on my own 12-string guitar and just sitting with wonderful friends until the early hours. Such beautiful memories. Such wonderful friends (some no longer with me). Such beautiful music. Such a wonderful band (which I followed from my teenage years).
A good chunk of this album was written with Fish (at least musically). The reissue of Clutching At Straws includes those early versions of these tunes.
Fish wrote the lyrics
1988 - 1989 lots of trouble in Marillion's planet. H came along, he was subtle and brought inner peace. The whole album is full of wisdom and introversion. Fish was gone but we had a new band, that lasts proudly until today. Thank God! The extended version is marvelous...
It was indeed a new start/band, the four images on the album cover just say so (the era of the jester, lizard etc has come to an end...)
One of the most emotional guitar solos I have ever heard. Marillion is awsome!!!
Underrated and amazing, Marillion is one of the best prog rock bands to ever exist. They never quite broke through with huge commercial success, but their quality and explorational music never wavered. I was going to suggest that you listen to Misplaced Childhood, but it appears that you've already posted a reaction for three songs off that album. Much like 2112 or Operation: Mind Crime, Misplaced Childhood might be worth a complete cover to cover analysis.
King of Sunset Town is a favourite of mine from this album, the build up is incredible.
You Rock!!!
Doug, please react to Open Roads - Thiago Espírito Santo, top notch Brazilian instrumental music. I think you will enjoy it. 🙂 Thanks in advance!
I believe the guitar solo was made in only one take! He´s so good! :)
Thanks again for opening a new musical window into my listening ears. 😎🎸
Wowsers!! One of my absolute fave Marillion tracks. They have been my fave band since I first heard He Knows You Know on the radio back in 83 or 84. Just such a beautiful song. One of Rothers best if not his best solo. And the coolest thing is he came up with the solo on his first attempt. Thank goodness they had tape rolling as he didn't quite remember what he had played. I spoke to Rothers one time and told him how much I loved his playing and solos. He told me that he tries to put all of his energy into each note. Listen to Pete's bass, Ian's drums, Mark's keys also. Amazing!
The Marillion rabbit hole is a very deep but an extremely rewarding one. The albums are all great but, to really appreciate Marillion and get the most out of each song you must see them live. There is an energy, a connection, a certain something that doesn't always get captured on the record.
They are five of the best musicians you will ever see.
They just produce beautiful, emotion evoking, thought provoking music that touches your heart and stays in your head.
I am very biased and think you should listen to and react to every song. Some of my faves are: Angelina (Rothers guitar work is so amazing), Afraid Of Sunlight, King, Slainte Mhath, Neverland, Forgotten Sons, Garden Party, Hard As Love, Uninvited Guest, This Strange Engine, Gaza, Sugar Mice, Berlin, Gazpacho and so many more......
One of the longest and cleanest guitar solos of all time.
That Council of Dougs shirt? I need that.
THE most underrated bass player in music. Mr Pete Trewavas
Wonderful song from such an underrated band
My favorite album ever is "clutching at straws" by Marillion
Thanks for the video - I love this song, Season's End was the soundtrack of my college years. I'm from Northern Ireland, you have the outline of the issues there - basically the British put colonists principally in the northern parts of Ireland in the 1680s, protestant settlers from England and Scotland, who settled on land confiscated from the native, Catholic irish. This schism between native and newcomer has erupted in violence many times since then. The descendants of the settlers are largely protestant, want to maintain a union with the UK (Unionists) while the descendants of the Irish natives are still largely catholic and prefer independence from the UK. After a war of independence 26 of Ireland's 32 counties gained independence from the UK in 1921 - 6 counties where the majority of the protestant settlers lived stayed in the UK. The Troubles was the latest eruption of this violence that broke out in this northern statelet in 1968, inspired in part by the civil rights movement in the US - Irish nationalists were second-class citizens in Northern Ireland then, denied a lot of basic rights and any real participation in the economy.
I lived through most of it, glad it's over.
Steve Hogarth is a more articulate and deeper songwriter than Fish who makes a big splash with his hippie esoteric lyrics that are fun at first but after a few records wear on you. Steve Hogarth and Steve Rothery are a great combination.
EASTER GREAT MUSIC FANTASTIC SOLO STEVE ROTHERY
Absolute chills even after all these years. I was a huge fan, following them around the UK throughout the 80's with Fish at the front. I was really apprehensive about this album. I was blown away by the opening bars of Sunset town and to this day this is one of my all time favorite albums.
Easter is Marillion's crowning glory. That guitar solo is utterly beautiful: Steve Rothery is the only guitarist who can rival Andy Latimer for emotion and feel. The lyrics are also so poignant, delivered by the wonderful Steve Hogarth.
Seasons End is my favourite Marillion album.
One of the most beautiful guitar solos in rock music ❤
You should also listen to the live version at the Marillion Weekend 2011 Port zelande
This song is sublime. Beautiful
Bands that can you to bring you to tears ...
Hi. Marillion is a great progressive rock band that has been active for many years and that combines a large part of its musical repertoire with quite a lot of classical lyrics. There is also a Canadian rock group called Saga that you may not have heard of and that may interest you. listen to and that also has a certain resemblance to that progressive style combined with very good electronic rock with an excellent guitarist like Ian Crichton
I am a 64 y.o. spanish woman, from Spain. When a I was 20, I decided to learn English so I could understand Marillion songs.
Easter, with Steve Rothery's solo, always gives me goosebumps.
Zombie by The Cranberries is another powerful song based on The Troubles
Great video for a fantastic song. beutifully written. I love how Marillion aren't afraid to use a complex time signature! Also a shout out for your air drumming, we need more! 🙂
Steve Rothery is the musical son of David Gilmour
I like that and it’s so true 👍
Fun story; Saw Marillion on back to back nights in Cincinnati & Cleveland on the Marbles tour...They hadn't played "Easter" in Cincy & we ended up running into Steve Rothery at the hotel & said they should play it that nightt in Cleveland. Fast forward to the end of the show when Rothery goes up & whispers into Steve Hogarth's ear. Hogarth said something about it being rare that Rothery says anything & he said he wants to play "Easter" to end the show & well, they did just that! They have such a special connection with us fans, great band!
I'm going to add my loudhailer voice to all those asking for a full album reaction to Brave, their 1994 masterpiece. It's a concept album - although most of the tracks on it are strong enough to merit individual reactions, there's nothing in this world like sticking the whole thing on and playing the whole 72 minutes uninterrupted. Every so often I still lie back and Play It Loud With The Lights Off, nearly thirty years after it first blew me away as a university student.
I don't know if you ever listened to "script for a jester's tear"'s full album, but if not, here goes a great recommendation (from fish era)
Make a stone of the heart is a line from Easter 1916, by William Butler Yeats
I used to have Seasons End and Misplaced Childhood on cassette back when they each debuted. Over the years I got away from Marillion, not by choice but from time. Thanks, Doug, for reintroducing me back to this great band. Just ordered both albums on cd.
Any day now I'll listen to the Hogart-Marillion stuff. I've got the two or three first albums with Hogart, but am still a Fish-man at heart. Everyone keeps saying that the Hogart-era stuff has become good, so I guess I have to go through it, at some point.
The strange thing about Marillion is the whole Genesis-connection. Fav band from the mid 80s and through 90s were Marillion, never liked Genesis.
The live version of the song between Dream Theater and the "two Steve" is fun to watch too. You can feel all the love DT has for Marillion and why you can find Steve elements in the John most melodic guitar solos. Sugar mice song is so great too.
Amazing song. I wasnt aware of this song until I watched a clip of Dream Theater performing this with members of Marillion at their famous Ronnie Scotts performance - its on RUclips to check out. Thanks for this upload Doug.
Is there a change that you can listen to the Dutch Sympho group: Kayak. I think that Merlin (LP) is one of there best.
Thank you so much for all of your videos! I enjoy them very much! If you haven't already, please do a reaction vid on "Script for a Jester´s tear". I think you´d enjoy it :D
It's wonderful to hear your enthusiasm Doug. There's a huge back catalogue for you to explore. I look forward to keeping you company!
I think this is a song that most people can relate to on a musical and emotional level. This may be the definitive Rothery solo. I really get the feel of the sea crossing to Northern Ireland from the way the chords flow underneath the melody. The Troubles are a fading memory now for those of us who were not directly involved, but my local area still lives under the shadow of the bombs that were detonated there almost fifty years ago, and friends of mine served in Northern Ireland with the British army, so it was something that touched a lot of people on both sides of the Irish sea at the time.
The 2nd Solo in This Stange Engine moves me to tears every time I hear it. I havent got any words. Yes , I love Easter, but the solo, is merely sublime, but the 2nd of TSE reaches into my soul!
@@stuarthowarth2972 I think the solo off Jigsaw on Fugazi is about as good.
It's so sad that untill this day this man didn't react to Fates Warning yet
Excellent song! Such an emotional solo by Rothery!
Doug’s air drumming on point as always. Both Steves are outstanding on this one
...after he twigged the end section was in 5 rather than 6 😀😉
My favourite Marillion song, so beautiful.....favourite album by them would be Brave
What a beautiful song, album & band -thanks much Doug!
one of their best songs imo. try 'man of a thousand faces' - one of the great album openers (along with 'king of sunset town'). epic.
I love it when you do Marillion. 💕 I'm 55 years old and they are my absolute favorite band since I was 17. Recently we traveled with my wife to Paris and Amsterdam for a week and I had my chance of a lifetime to watch them live in Haarlem, near Amsterdam. That was an amazing experience, realization of a dream. Anyway, I love your reactions, especially Marillion ones obviously and I see that you've been enjoying Ian Mosley's solid drumming, as I gather from your air-drumming moves :) I love his style and his mostly overlooked contribution to their music. He more than deserves some mention here and there, I might add. Thanks for the reaction & cheers!
It's interesting that Hogarth sings "north of Ireland" instead of the typical "Northern Ireland". Nice Steve. And a beautiful guitar solo by the other Steve. Slainte.
You’ve really got to do Script For A Jester’s Tear
Years ago the bass player from a local heavy metal band turned me on to Clutching at Straws and it has always been one of my turn-to albums
Yes, finally! One of my all time top 3 songs.
amasing band with fish
Sorry that I am a bit late to the party, Doug, but didn't want to miss this reaction. Such a good song, moving up and down the subtle-to-complex scale, and a terrific guitar solo to boot. Magic!
One of the greatest guitar solos I've ever heard.
Fantastic song, Steve a local northern lad like myself, Fantastic guitar player, had the pleasure to meet him a few times, the last time was the live concert at the Royal Albert Hall London, also Peter is a great bass player, I play a little bass myself so enjoy his bass playing. Fantastic band ,then and now.
Have a go at "No One Can" it's a banger
Fish and Rothery. 1984 Fugazi :)
More Therion please!
👉Adulruna Rediviva
👉Clavicula Nox
Please !!!
I much prefer the Fish era, but this album is wonderful. Best guitar solo ever too.
I always liked conceptual albums, but Misplaced childhood is the best one in the music history!
Now you know The very best on thus planet😅
I'm old enough to have lived through "The Time of Troubles" and be appalled by the death and destruction going in not in some distant, barely civilized backwards nation, but in the British Isles/Ireland, essential parts of the Western world. But I don't think the last couple of generations will understand the tragedy behind this song.
There has been one much more recent cultural reference that may have made an impression of younger TV viewers. In the series "Sons of Anarchy", the Sons funded their motorcycle gang via the sale of weapons in California obtained from "The Kings", who are portrayed as the current leaders of the Irish Republican Army who have access to international arms dealers and who funded their IRA organization by sales of guns from Ireland via concealed shipments to people like the Sons of Anarchy motorcycle gang in California.
Oh what joy this song brings me. Steve H’s gorgeous vocals. Steve R’s soaring guitar. Goosebumps, magnificent music from a band I’ve loved since 1983 ❤
Great to see more Marillion. The Space live and Gaza live I think you would really enjoy.
My first exposure to this band and this song was on Dream Theater's 1998 Live VHS '5 Years in a Livetime', which includes footage from a 1995 show at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in London, where the band played a bunch of covers with various friends (e.g., Metallica's 'Damage Inc." with Barney Greenway from Napalm Death on vocals). Portnoy, Petrucci, and Myung are joined by Rothery (guitar) and Hogarth (vocals and keyboards) for a sublime version of this song, with Hogarth's vocals being a particular highlight.
30 years? Try 300... Speaking as an ex-Army Brit... We have a lot to answer for.
Marillion 4ever
I was introduced to them in the late 80s. I've seen them with Steve Hogarth 3-4 times. Sadly they do not have much draw in the US anymore. I was seeing them in small clubs like Hammerjacks and the Bayou in Baltimore and DC. Last time was at the new 9:30 Club. They certainly lose money coming here.
It's just a great song. Like what you're doing. And...its almost Easter.
When Fish left I thought the band was done. This album is still on heavy rotation for me
My Dear Doug, as you admit yourself, you do not know much about the Fish-era. I urgently recommend to check their first full album "Script For A Jester's Tear" and later, not before the development to "Fugazi". Both albums are about 45 to 50 minutes and full of strong music you should not miss. Fish at his best times, especially his voice. After doing these albums, look for 83 and 84 live bits you can find. Enjoy :)
Next up: Sugar Mice (please!)
This song is one of Marillion's cornerstones, especially if you experienced a live performance of it.
As I count, I think is a 3/4 music and the bass when the bridge is coming blows your mind.
Since I'm a Marillion fan for 35 years, I never never never believed that Steve gets his sound from a Fender quitar, if I didn't know he plays Fender I swore this sound comes a Gibson straight away.
Very nice video, cheers from Athens Greece! :)
A good one to do from the back catalogue is Splintering Heart, from the album after this. That's got some great musical transitions, both sudden and subtle. I did a version of it with my cover band and it's really surprised me how deceptively complex that song is while sounding simple. Marillion make it sound effortless. Rothery on fine form on that song as well.
Pretty tune, but Easter is too pop-py and formulaic for Hogarth era standards, so I’ve never thought very highly of it.
Marillion was my first band i have chosen for myself. I had an cassette player (not walkman) which comsumed batteries like hell. It was the time, where i had my first own money from my job-education and my first love, which ended very unfortunally. So this music remembers my to this time and build an emotional rollercaoster up to today. 😢
More Marillion!!
Who needs sheet music when you've got Doug😂