Script for a Jester's Tear
Occupation
- Fish: vocals
- Steve Rothery: Guitar
- Pete Trevawas: E-Bass
- Mark Kelly: Keyboards
- Mick Pointer: Drums
Script for a Jester's Tear (English for example: " script for the court jester with tears " ) is the debut album by British rock group Marillion. It is the only album by Marillion on which the Bandmitgründer Mick Pointer permitting.
Formation
Not without problems began in December 1982, the recordings in the Marquee Studios in London. As a producer Martin Birch was supposed to act - an experienced man who had worked with Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden. However, Marillion found him to be too hard rock -heavy and could finally agree with EMI on Nick Tauber as producers. The label also believed that Mick Pointer was not good enough as a drummer and tried a studio musician for the recordings to enforce. However, this was denied by the group. All songs were already longer part of the live program of the band, with the exception of the title track, which was composed only in the studio. The release of the album was scheduled for March 1983. In February 1983, the LabelManager were impatient and wanted to hear the previous material for evaluation. However, Nick Tauber refused this request. He refused to be talked into production.
Content
In the song Script for a Jester's Tear Processed Fish eternal and downs in the relationship with his girlfriend. It is a sad love song. The song He Knows You Know is about drugs and the people who always know everything better, the I - habs - yes - is- said types. The Web is a song about depression, hopes and choices. The music is based on a play called Close from 1979 /80. On the composition Brian Jelliman was involved, see Marillion band history. In Garden Party to Fish makes fun of the garden parties and the narrow-mindedness of the upper class of Cambridge. Again, this is an older piece on which Brian Jelliman and Diz Minnitt were involved. Chelsea Monday is a ballad about a girl who does not manage to become famous, and therefore a Monday morning by flowing into the River Thames, Chelsea jumps. The final piece Forgotten Sons is a lament for the fallen in the conflict instigated by politicians, inspired by the Northern Ireland conflict.
Album Cover
The painter and graphic artist Mark Wilkinson designed the cover of the album. The picture shows a sad court jester with a violin and quill pen in a room and makes reference to some lyrics, and partly also on the pieces were not published until later on Marillion albums. The spider web in front of the fireplace stands for The Web, seated on a chair Chameleon refers to the song She Chameleon from the album Fugazi. The Court Jester himself is the title song of the album.
Title list
Reissues
As a CD, the album was first released in December 1985 with the same title list, with all pieces are a few seconds longer. In September 1997, EMI brought a 24 -bit Remaster - the pieces were again a few seconds longer - with a bonus CD out.
Title List of Bonus CD
The remastered CD was released in August 2008 without bonus CD on the market. In February 2012, Script for a Jester's Tear was once more pressed than 180g LP.
Reception
In the music press, the album was discussed mostly positive, often Marillion was compared to Genesis, even stylized as a milestone of neo prog, or referred to as a masterpiece.