With his time in the music business drawing to an inexorable close as he focuses on a new life in the islands, the two reissues of Fish’s first pair of solo releases, Vigil In A Wilderness Of Mirrors and Internal Exile, come at an apt time and highlight just what has made him such a talismanic figure.
Fish
Vigil In A Wilderness Of Mirrors – Internal Exile
Release Date: Out Now
Words: Paul Monkhouse
Following the darkness of Clutching At Straws and the tensions that arose with Marillion through the recording process and subsequent tour, there is a tangible sense of relief and freedom that permeates these releases, a man following his own passion without hindrance.
Given the legal wrangles that ensued with EMI, Vigil was the last album Fish would do for the giant company before moving to Polydor. But what the albums showed was his fiery and indefatigable Scots spirit, bloodied but unbowed. Given fresh coats of paint with mixes that bring new layers to the sound and plentiful extras, both are a treasure trove for both the committed and the curious, the emotions and themes contained as relevant today as they were some thirty years ago.
“There’s a sense of completion in re-releasing the first two albums from my solo career as I approach the Farewell Tour and my retirement from the music industry,” Fish says. “They were seminal albums in their day, and the recent remixes by Calum Malcom have given them a new life, energy, and completely different dynamic.
“Closing down the record company with these releases feels like a respectful and fitting exit and a dramatic closing of a door in my life.”
Vigil In A Wilderness Of Mirrors
Initially released in January 1990, Vigil In A Wilderness Of Mirrors was delayed so as not to clash with Marillion’s Seasons End, but it would have been interesting to see which would have garnered the most attention.
Certainly, given that Vigil hit No. 5 in the charts, beating Seasons by two places, this may have brought a smile to the Scotsman’s face had he cared. But with a sold-out UK tour culminating in a triumphant night at the Royal Albert Hall, there was proof positive, if any was needed, that the singer was a force to be reckoned with, with or without the band he had made his name with.Â
Preceded by singles State Of Mind and Big Wedge, Vigil was a welcome sight on the racks for many. Regular collaborator Mark Wilkinson’s cover art is a solid link to the artist as it promised a whole world of adventures to come within its fascinating and detailed images.
For those warmed up by the two single releases, the dive into the album would reveal a richly patterned journey that brought celebratory highs and heart-wrenching lows. Mainly co-written with keys player Mickey Simmons (Mike Oldfield/Camel/Judie Tzuke/Diesel and many, many more), the eleven tracks ranged from the atmospheric swirl and soaring bounce of the opening title track through to the big, brassy Big Wedge and onto the tender Gentleman’s Excuse Me.
With an all-star cast of musicians joining him, including Janick Gers, Hal Lindes, Mark Brzezicki, John Keeble, Davy Spillane, Carol Kenyan and Tessa Niles alongside the peerless John Giblin and Frank Usher, this was a heavyweight production and one never short of highlights.
Multi-layered and endlessly fascinating, the numbers shone with incandescent light, even when they delved into the darkest of subjects like the shattering Family Business and the wounds of The Company. With the kaleidoscopic soundscape and the poetry of Fish’s always compelling lyrics, this was an album to touch hearts, minds and souls, every sonic peak and carefully crafted lyric destined to become part of the DNA of the main man’s followers the world over.
It was a glorious start to a solo career.
Internal Exile
Coming a year later, Internal Exile cemented the legend, the change of record company bringing yet another feeling that this was a weight off the tall Scotsman’s shoulders and the album contained some of his most personal material yet.
With the core writing team of Fish and Simmonds intact and Frank Usher joined by Robin Bolt on guitar, the heat was turned up and the beating heart of the Highlands was at the very centre of everything here, the whiff of heather and the spirit of ancient windswept crags and beauty of the Lochs in every groove.
Using his platform, Fish laid bare his feelings again in ways that were at once direct but always intelligent, the scalpel of his words finding their targets with surgical precision. Nationalism, identity and global issues were covered.
His barbs, this time, were directed to his old record company rather than his former bandmates, the anger and frustration present but never maniacal, the pen mightier than the sword. The music itself was once again a dazzling blend of multiple layers, and anthemic numbers like Credo and Internal Exile became staples of his live show for years to come.
Listening back, the only thing that has been improved upon from the initial version was the addition of the soulful and distinct vocals of Sam Brown when Just Good Friends was released latterly as a single, the rest of the album another high benchmark.
The eternal question beckons as to why people should shell out their hard-earned cash for albums they already have, know, and love for reissues. But once more, these have been expanded and sprinkled with more than a little fairy dust.
For a start, both have gleaming new mixes that really do pop and reward the listener with a virtually new experience, revealing many little bells and whistles previously hidden that go off like fireworks in the synapses.
Expertly and sensitively done, the songs are never overwhelmed by these but in fact reveal more what was originally intended and more, thrilling new audio experiences that add to, rather than distract from, the numbers.
In addition to this, the deluxe versions both come with extra discs containing demos, live recordings, interviews on CD and Blu Ray and detailed books full of fascinating detail from the man himself and previously unseen photos.
If Fish is to hang up the microphone once and for all, throwing himself into the life of a crofter, such slices of musical majesty are to be savoured more than ever. These treasure troves bring as great a glow as the Northern Lights that the singer will doubtless witness in his new home.
Two albums that changed his life, and they might just change yours, too. Magnificent.
Visit fishmusic.scot for more details. Fish has announced his his final UK tour, culminating in a final farewell at O2 Academy Glasgow in March 2025. Tickets are available from here.
