FISH – Vigil In A Wilderness Of Mirrors (2024 Remix / Remaster) HQ *Exclusive*

‘Vigil in a Wilderness of Mirrors’ is FISH 1990’s first solo album since leaving Marillion in 1988 after four successful and incredibly good LP’s. He began writing new songs with his main collaborator at the time, keyboard player Mickey Simmonds, who had formerly been with Mike Oldfield. They were joined in the rehearsal room by guitarists Hal Lindes, who had recently left Dire Straits, and Janick Gers, who was about to join Iron Maiden.
Jon Kelly (Deacon Blue, Kate Bush, Chris Rea) came in as producer, and although drummer John Keeble (Spandau Ballet) would play on a couple of the studio tracks, the rhythm section was comprised of Scottish bass player John Giblin (Kate Bush, Simple Minds) and drummer Mark Brzezicki (Big Country). An all talented line-up.
Now it’s being released ”Vigil In A Wilderness Of Mirrors (2024 Remix / Remaster)” handled by Callum Malcolm, giving the album a fresh make-over, sounding crisp and better than ever, adding some sonic extras that supplement what always was a phenomenal album.
The title-track now features a previously unheard coda, the song ‘Big Wedge’ benefits from additional guitars, as does ‘View from the Hill’, with soon-to-be Iron Maiden six-string slinger, Janick Gers adding his tones to the middle section.

The remix is lush and the new additions, small supplements, rather than massive overhauls, only add extra listening pleasure. There’s also a new track-listing, which works greatly.
Additional tracks come in the shape of the album’s single B-sides; ‘Jack & Jill’, from Big Wedge, is a stirring tune that could have found a home on Clutching At Straws; an early re-record of ‘Internal Exile’ from 1989, and ‘Whiplash’, which finds Fish morphing into a lounge-lizard for the duration.

This remix 2024 version is loyal and faithful to the original, but there are meaningful yet subtle tweaks that actually improve it – and in a fully authentic way. A bit like the re-issue of Toto’s ‘Turn Back’ and the legendary ‘Toto 4’, with ‘Vigil’ it feels like a sheen has been removed.
The music feels closer to you, it feels more alive and the balance between drums, guitar and bass lends it greater warmth and weight. This is a fine job done well.
It’s different enough from the original to encourage you to revisit the 1990 original, yet it sounds fully contemporary and alive for the world in 2024. For longstanding Fish fans, the 2024 ‘Vigil’ edition marks a fitting way to say farewell to a friend – and for a new generation of fans, this new edition cements longevity for an album and an artist that is assured the thing so many artists crave – legacy.

The songs from this album are ever present in Fish set lists, and this remix / reissue have been long overdue, with the album having last been released nearly 25 years ago. The 2024 Calum Malcolm remix gives the album an entirely new energy and dynamic, and a completely new lease on life.
As Fish prepares to retire from rock music, he leaves us with a fresh and reinvigorated take on his first solo album. A perfect legacy and a wonderful closing of a circle as Fish moves into another new chapter in his life.
If you love ’80s Marillion, ”Vigil In A Wilderness Of Mirrors (2024 Remix / Remaster)” is a must have.
HIGHLY Recommended

01 – Vigil In A Wilderness Of Mirrors (2024 Remix)
02 – Big Wedge (2024 Remix)
03 – State Of Mind (2024 Remix)
04 – The Company (2024 Remix)
05 – A Gentleman’s Excuse Me (2024 Remix)
06 – The Voyeur (I Like To Watch) [2024 Remix]
07 – Family Business (2024 Remix)
08 – Cliché (2024 Remix)
09 – View From A Hill (2024 Remix)
10 – Jack & Jill (2024 Remix)
11 – Internal Exile (1989 re-record) [2024 Remix]
12 – Whiplash (Remastered 2024)

Derek Dick “Fish” – lead vocals
Janick Gers – guitar & arrangements
Frank Usher – guitar
Hal Lindes – guitar
Mickey Simmonds – keyboards
Aly Bain – violin
John Giblin – bass
Mark Brzezicki, John Keeble – drums
Luis Jardim – percussion
Carol Kenyon, Tessa Niles – backing vocals

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