Author: Peter Podbrežnik
Artist: Marillion
Label: Capitol Records
Released: 1986
Length: 7:27
Rating: 2.5/5
“Lady Nina” was the fourth in a string of Marillion singles meant to promote the concept-album relic “Misplaced Childhood” (1985). This single came out for the American market only, which is why European fans and collectors today know it as a big rarity. For a power ballad that ranks among the least inspired moments of the Fish era, it’s hardly surprising that it made no real splash on the radio charts back then. The commercial, pop-rock-leaning structure, with the first and last use of a drum machine in their career, was no recipe for success, since that kind of rhythmic ‘robotics’ simply doesn’t fit the Marillion sound. The rather one-dimensional love lyrics don’t exactly rank among the highlights of Fish’s songwriting talent either. A repetitive rhythm and an unconvincing chorus can’t be saved even by Rothery’s delicate guitar passages and Kelly’s dynamic synth embellishments. They still went and shot a promo video for the American market, which is the prime candidate for the dullest one they ever made.
The whole thing, both the creation and the release of a second-rate song like “Lady Nina”, smells most of all like Capitol Records, the American arm of parent label EMI (the ones most responsible for this kind of decision), wanting to launch them successfully onto the American market and so pull off mission impossible. The B-side of the 7-inch single features a shortened version of the evergreen “Heart of Lothian”. That one is the main reason this single is even worth listening to. Interestingly, the 12-inch version came out only as a promo release, meant just for select radio stations, which makes it one of the biggest Marillion rarities today. This edition contained both the regular and the shortened version of “Lady Nina”.
“Lady Nina” is the weakest single in the history of the neo-prog rock champions, but that only makes it all the more sought-after as a big rarity, which is cold comfort for anyone who happened to be expecting another Marillion classic. One of the less thrilling consequences of sudden commercial success and fame was EMI’s questionable decisions on how to cash in as much as possible behind the back of a legendary band that had stayed loyal to them for a full thirteen years.
Lineup
Fish – vocals
Steve Rothery – guitar
Mark Kelly – keyboards
Pete Trewavas – bass guitar
Ian Mosley – drums
Production
Chris Kimsey
Tracklist
1. Lady Nina (edited version)
2. Heart of Lothian (special edit)
