Author: Peter Podbrežnik
Artist: Marillion
Label: EMI Records
Released: 1988
Rating: 3/5
The legendary art rock standard-bearers Marillon had a nice habit of picking at least one representative track from nearly every new studio release to put out as a promo single. Only once in their career, though, did a single come from a live album. To promote their second official live record, the double-disc classic “The Thieving Magpie” (1988), they pulled a rather unusual move and chose the pretty average “Freaks” as the single. Even so, it was played with incredible feeling that night, just like these prog rock masters always did. The departing Fish and the gang picked it mainly as a dedication to all the loyal members of their fan club, who call themselves ‘freaks’ themselves.
Still, this release isn’t entirely without value. Apart from being pretty rare these days and not exactly something every collector can track down, the 12-inch vinyl and CD versions also add live takes of the classics “Kayleigh”, “Childhoods End? (in a shortened form)” and “White Feather”. These three building blocks of the “Misplaced Childhood” (1985) concept can also be found on “The Thieving Magpie”, so there’s nothing special or new here.
You could say “Freaks (Live)” is a symbolic farewell to the Fish era, since at the time of release it was the last official release featuring the charismatic Scottish giant up front. Judging by its selection of generally solid live material, it’s certainly not among their most talked-about single releases, but on top of its great collector’s value, it’s still a fine closing chapter for an era.
Line-up
Fish – vocals
Steve Rothery – guitar
Mark Kelly – keyboards
Pete Trewavas – bass
Ian Mosley – drums
Production
Marillion and Privet Hedge
Track list
1. Freaks (Live)
2. Kayleigh (Live)
3. Childhoods End? (Live)
4. White Feather (Live)
