Brief Encounter (Marillion album)
Encyclopedia
Brief Encounter is the title of a compilation EP
by Marillion
with two studio and three live tracks that EMI
's American label Capitol Records
released there in 1986, coinciding with the band's tour of the U.S. and Canada that year. The band was Rush
's support act on the Power Windows
tour and also played headline gigs at smaller theatres. The "mini album" contained five tracks: the band's European breakthrough single "Kayleigh
" (which had also entered the lower reaches of the Billboard Hot 100
); its b-side "Lady Nina
"; "Freaks", released in Europe as the b-side of the follow-up single "Lavender"; and live recordings of the first two albums' title tracks, Fugazi
(1984) and Script for a Jester's Tear
(1984).
"Lady Nina" was also released as a single with a promo video on the U.S. market, with "Heart of Lothian
", the third European single from Misplaced Childhood
(1985), on the flip side, but failed to chart.
The title of the album is identical with that of a subsection of the track "Bitter Suite" on Misplaced Childhood, which alludes to the 1945 British film of the same title
. However, neither "Bitter Suite" nor its subsection "Brief Encounter" are found on this record. Brief Encounter was Marillion's only commercial release not to feature cover art by Mark Wilkinson
prior to his and Fish's departure from the band in late 1988.
Although aimed strictly at the American market and not officially released elsewhere, this EP was very much in demand in Europe because Marillion's major breakthrough had just happened the previous year and the band not releasing any new material in 1986, which was their first "gap year" in terms of studio albums. Also, Brief Encounter included two non-album tracks. As a result, the EP was widely available as an import in record shops in the UK and mainland Europe in late 1980s. Brief Encounter was released on vinyl and cassette only, and was not available on CD until 1997, when EMI re-released it worldwide in a two-disc set together with the 1984 live album Real to Reel
. At the same time, EMI also released a series of remastered 2-disc editions of Marillion's EMI years studio albums; although not being officially part of that series, the Real to Reel/Brief Encounter set was digitally remastered at Abbey Road Studios by Brian Fifield.
According to the EP itself, all live tracks were recorded at "Hammersmith Odeon, January 9&10, 1986". However, this information may be inaccurate, as Fish
can be heard saying "Goodnight Leicester
" at the end of "Fugazi". Instead, "Script" and "Fugazi" were probably recorded during the concert at Leicester De Montfort Hall
on 5 March 1984, parts of which also feature on Real to Reel. The live version of "Kayleigh" is identical with the one on The Thieving Magpie
.
Credits: 1: Produced by Chris Kimsey
for Wonderknob Ltd.,
2: Produced by Chris Kimsey for Chris Kimsey Productions Ltd.,
3-5: Produced and Engineered by Mark Freegard.)
All songs written by Marillion
Times taken from the 1986 vinyl version.
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
by Marillion
Marillion
Marillion are a British rock band, formed in Aylesbury, England in 1979. Their recorded studio output comprises sixteen albums generally regarded in two distinct eras, delineated by the departure of original vocalist & frontman Fish in late 1988, and the subsequent arrival of replacement Steve...
with two studio and three live tracks that EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
's American label Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
released there in 1986, coinciding with the band's tour of the U.S. and Canada that year. The band was Rush
Rush (band)
Rush is a Canadian rock band formed in August 1968, in the Willowdale neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario. The band is composed of bassist, keyboardist, and lead vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer and lyricist Neil Peart...
's support act on the Power Windows
Power Windows (album)
Power Windows is the 11th studio album by Canadian rock band Rush, released in 1985. Power Windows was the first Rush album to be produced by Peter Collins and the album was recorded at The Manor in England, Air Studios in Montserrat and at Sarm East Studios in London.Power Windows introduced more...
tour and also played headline gigs at smaller theatres. The "mini album" contained five tracks: the band's European breakthrough single "Kayleigh
Kayleigh
"Kayleigh" was a number two UK hit for British neo-progressive rock band Marillion in 1985. It remains the group's most successful single in terms of chart position. The single was kept from the UK Number 1 spot by charity single "You'll Never Walk Alone" by supergroup The Crowd in the summer of...
" (which had also entered the lower reaches of the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
); its b-side "Lady Nina
Lady Nina
Lady Nina is a song by British progressive rock band Marillion. First released in 1985 on the B-side to the #2 UK hit single "Kayleigh", it was the only single from the EP Brief Encounter released in the United States by Capitol Records in April 1986, along with a promo video...
"; "Freaks", released in Europe as the b-side of the follow-up single "Lavender"; and live recordings of the first two albums' title tracks, Fugazi
Fugazi (album)
Fugazi is the second studio album of the neo-progressive rock band Marillion. It was released in 1984 and was the first album with Ian Mosley on drums. It reached no. 5 on the UK album charts, stayed on the chart for a total of 20 weeks and contained the UK top 40 singles Punch And Judy and...
(1984) and Script for a Jester's Tear
Script for a Jester's Tear
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....
(1984).
"Lady Nina" was also released as a single with a promo video on the U.S. market, with "Heart of Lothian
Heart of Lothian
"Heart Of Lothian" is the fifth song on the 1985 album Misplaced Childhood by British progressive rock band Marillion. The song was released as the third single from Misplaced Childhood on 18 November 1985 in the UK, the Netherlands, West Germany, Canada , South Africa and Australia.The 7" and 12"...
", the third European single from Misplaced Childhood
Misplaced Childhood
Misplaced Childhood is the third studio album of the neo-progressive rock band Marillion. It was released in 1985 and has been their most commercially successful album, reaching number one in the and spending a total of 41 weeks on the chart, the longest chart residency of a Marillion album...
(1985), on the flip side, but failed to chart.
The title of the album is identical with that of a subsection of the track "Bitter Suite" on Misplaced Childhood, which alludes to the 1945 British film of the same title
Brief Encounter
Brief Encounter is a 1945 British film directed by David Lean about the conventions of British suburban life, centring on a housewife for whom real love brings unexpectedly violent emotions. The film stars Celia Johnson, Trevor Howard, Stanley Holloway and Joyce Carey...
. However, neither "Bitter Suite" nor its subsection "Brief Encounter" are found on this record. Brief Encounter was Marillion's only commercial release not to feature cover art by Mark Wilkinson
Mark Wilkinson
Mark Wilkinson is best known for his detailed cover art that he created for a number of British bands, most prominently the progressive rock band, Marillion...
prior to his and Fish's departure from the band in late 1988.
Although aimed strictly at the American market and not officially released elsewhere, this EP was very much in demand in Europe because Marillion's major breakthrough had just happened the previous year and the band not releasing any new material in 1986, which was their first "gap year" in terms of studio albums. Also, Brief Encounter included two non-album tracks. As a result, the EP was widely available as an import in record shops in the UK and mainland Europe in late 1980s. Brief Encounter was released on vinyl and cassette only, and was not available on CD until 1997, when EMI re-released it worldwide in a two-disc set together with the 1984 live album Real to Reel
Real to Reel (Marillion album)
Real to Reel is Marillion's first live album, recorded at the Spectrum, Montreal, Canada, and De Montfort Hall, Leicester, England. In addition to two songs each from the first two albums, Script for a Jester's Tear and Fugazi, the original standard version contained two tracks not previously...
. At the same time, EMI also released a series of remastered 2-disc editions of Marillion's EMI years studio albums; although not being officially part of that series, the Real to Reel/Brief Encounter set was digitally remastered at Abbey Road Studios by Brian Fifield.
According to the EP itself, all live tracks were recorded at "Hammersmith Odeon, January 9&10, 1986". However, this information may be inaccurate, as Fish
Fish (singer)
Derek William Dick, better known as Fish, is a Scottish progressive rock singer, lyricist and occasional actor, best known as the former lead singer of Marillion.-Biography:...
can be heard saying "Goodnight Leicester
Leicester
Leicester is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England, and the county town of Leicestershire. The city lies on the River Soar and at the edge of the National Forest...
" at the end of "Fugazi". Instead, "Script" and "Fugazi" were probably recorded during the concert at Leicester De Montfort Hall
De Montfort Hall
De Montfort Hall is a music and performance venue in Leicester, England. It is situated adjacent to Victoria Park and is named after Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester.-History:...
on 5 March 1984, parts of which also feature on Real to Reel. The live version of "Kayleigh" is identical with the one on The Thieving Magpie
The Thieving Magpie (Album)
The Thieving Magpie is a double live album by Marillion, named after the introductory piece of classical music the band used before coming on stage during the Clutching at Straws tour 1987-1988, the overture to Rossini's opera La gazza ladra, which translates as "The Thieving Magpie".The album was...
.
Side 2
- "Fugazi" - 8:14
- "Script For a Jester's Tear" - 8:20
Credits: 1: Produced by Chris Kimsey
Chris Kimsey
Christopher Kenneth Kimsey is a record producer, mixer and musician most famous for having co-produced The Rolling Stones' Undercover and Steel Wheels albums...
for Wonderknob Ltd.,
2: Produced by Chris Kimsey for Chris Kimsey Productions Ltd.,
3-5: Produced and Engineered by Mark Freegard.)
All songs written by Marillion
Times taken from the 1986 vinyl version.
Personnel
- FishFish (singer)Derek William Dick, better known as Fish, is a Scottish progressive rock singer, lyricist and occasional actor, best known as the former lead singer of Marillion.-Biography:...
– vocals - Steve RotherySteve RotherySteve Rothery is the guitarist of the English rock band Marillion. He was born in Brampton, South Yorkshire, England. From the age of six he lived in Whitby, North Yorkshire.-Biography:...
- guitars - Mark Kelly - keyboards
- Pete TrewavasPete TrewavasPete Trewavas is an English musician. He joined Marillion in 1982, taking over the role of bassist, from Diz Minnett, while acting occasionally as a backing vocalist and acoustic guitarist.Although he was born in Middlesbrough, Trewavas spent much of his childhood in the Buckinghamshire town of...
- bass - Ian MosleyIan MosleyIan F. Mosley is a drummer in the progressive rock band, Marillion.Mosley joined the band in 1984 after a long search for a replacement of Mick Pointer, who had been left the band in 1983. Mosley had previously, among others, played with former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett, both on two of his...
- drums