Script for a Jester's Tear
Professional ratings |
Review scores |
Source |
Rating |
Allmusic |
[1] |
Music Street Journal |
(very favourable)[2] |
Script for a Jester's Tear is the first album by the neo-progressive rock band Marillion, released in 1983. It reached number seven on the UK album chart and stayed on the chart for 31 weeks, the second longest chart residency of a Marillion album.[3]
The single released before the album was "Market Square Heroes", with the double B-sides "Three Boats Down from the Candy" and the 17 minute epic "Grendel".
"He Knows You Know" and "Garden Party" were also released as singles, and became Top 40 hits in the UK.
This is the only Marillion album to feature Mick Pointer, the founding and current drummer for Arena.
Track listing (original release)
- All songs written by Derek Dick, Steve Rothery, Peter Trewavas, Michael Pointer, Mark Kelly, Diz Minnett & Brian Jellyman unless otherwise noted. (Copyright Marillion Music/Charisma Music/Chappell)
- "Script for a Jester's Tear" (Derek Dick/Steve Rothery/Peter Trewavas/Michael Pointer/Mark Kelly) – 8:44
- "He Knows You Know" – 5:23
- "The Web" (Derek Dick/Steve Rothery/Peter Trewavas/Michael Pointer/Mark Kelly/Brian Jellyman) – 8:52
- "Garden Party" – 7:19
- "Chelsea Monday" (Derek Dick/Steve Rothery/Peter Trewavas/Michael Pointer/Mark Kelly) – 8:17
- "Forgotten Sons" – 8:23
Remastered CD bonus tracks
In addition to the above, the 1997 remaster version has the following additional tracks on a second CD:
- "Market Square Heroes" (Battle Priest Version) – 4:18
- "Three Boats Down from the Candy" – 4:31
- "Grendel" (Fair Deal Studios Version) – 19:10
- "Chelsea Monday" (Manchester Square Demo) – 6:54
- "He Knows You Know" (Manchester Square Demo) – 4:29
- "Charting the Single" – 4:51
- "Market Square Heroes" (Alternative Version) – 4:48
Formats and re-issues
The album was originally released on Cassette, vinyl LP and 12" Picture Disc. The album was released on CD sometime afterwards. In 1997, as part of a series of Marillion's first eight studio albums, EMI re-released Script for a Jester's Tear with remastered sound and a second disc containing bonus material, listed above. The remastered edition was later also made available without the bonus disc.
A new 180 gram vinyl pressing will be released in February 2012 by EMI. It will be identical to the original vinyl release from 1983.
Personnel
- "Marquee Club's Parents Association Children's Choir" - backing vocals on "Forgotten Sons" (short fragment of "Ring a Ring o' Roses").
- Peter Cockburn – newcaster's voice on "Forgotten Sons".
Production
- Produced by Nick Tauber
- Recorded and Mixed by Simon Hanhart
- Digitally remastered by Peter Mew and Mark Kelly at Abbey Road Studios London April - July 1997
Notes
- Although their first single "Market Square Heroes" never appeared on the original album, it can be briefly heard during a short radio segment prior to 'Forgotten Sons'.
- According to Fish, Script for a Jesters Tear is the first of a trilogy of albums, and classified as 'bedsit thoughts'. Fugazi was deemed 'hotel thoughts' and Misplaced Childhood as 'home thoughts'. This was to enable the listener to understand the feelings and surroundings that shaped the songwriting.
- There was supposed to be a rubber plant featured on the album's cover, per Fish's request - part of Fish's stage theatrics at the time included tearing apart a rubber plant at the climax of The Web. However, Mark Wilkinson, who air-brushed this and several other albums for Marillion, forgot to include it.
- The version of "Grendel" on the remastered CD is not the same version as the original 1983 17 minute B-side single release.
Charts
Album
Year |
Chart |
Position |
1983 |
UK Album Chart |
7 |
References
External links
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