Suits (album)
Encyclopedia
Suits is the fourth solo album by former Marillion
singer Fish
, and his third studio album with original material (discounting 1993's cover project Songs from the Mirror
). It is the first album to be released on Fish's new own label, the Dick Bros Record Company
, which he set up after being dropped by Polydor.
The album continues the cooperation with producer James Cassidy
who had already produced Songs from the Mirror. Cassidy also contributed keyboards recordings and co-wrote five out of ten songs on the original version of this album. Together with keyboardist Foster Paterson, who had been part of the tour line-up since 1992 and co-wrote three tracks, Cassidy takes the role previously held by Mickey Simmonds
. Further songwriting credits go to guitarist Robin Boult and bassist David Paton
.
The album took Fish the longest time yet to make, several songs on it had already premiered live in summer of 1992.
(#21) and Songs from the Mirror, which didn't chart. However, this would turn out to be Fish's last UK top 40 album (as of February 2008). Two singles released from this album (Lady Let It Lie and Fortunes of War) failed to enter the UK top 40. In an attempt to keep up sales for "Fortunes of War" over a longer period, Fish had decided to release four versions of the CD single across four weeks. As an incentive, every individual single CD contained a different version of the title track and three different acoustic recordings each, adding up to a full acoustic album in terms of playing time. However, record shops frustrated this scheme by often selling the complete 4-disc set at one time.
in 1998, Suits was re-released on this label along with the other studio albums from the backcatalogue. The re-release contained two bonus tracks previously released as B-side of "Lady Let It Lie" and the double vinyl edition.
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...
singer 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:...
, and his third studio album with original material (discounting 1993's cover project Songs from the Mirror
Songs from the Mirror
Songs from the Mirror is the third solo album by singer Fish. It does not contain any original Fish material; instead it is a cover album featuring Fish's versions of songs by artists who inspired him before his career started...
). It is the first album to be released on Fish's new own label, the Dick Bros Record Company
Dick Bros Record Company
The Dick Brothers Record Company was an independent record label formed by the singer Fish based in Haddington, East Lothian, Scotland. It predominantly released material by Fish, including 'official bootleg' live albums...
, which he set up after being dropped by Polydor.
The album continues the cooperation with producer James Cassidy
James Cassidy
James Cassidy an American musician and educator who is one of the founding members of the band Information Society...
who had already produced Songs from the Mirror. Cassidy also contributed keyboards recordings and co-wrote five out of ten songs on the original version of this album. Together with keyboardist Foster Paterson, who had been part of the tour line-up since 1992 and co-wrote three tracks, Cassidy takes the role previously held by Mickey Simmonds
Mickey Simmonds
Mickey Simmonds is an English session keyboardist, arranger and composer. He is best known for his work with progressive rock acts, Mike Oldfield, Renaissance, Camel and Fish...
. Further songwriting credits go to guitarist Robin Boult and bassist David Paton
David Paton
David Paton is a Scottish bass and guitar player, most notably with three different bands: Pilot, The Alan Parsons Project, and Camel. He has also worked as a solo artist, session musician, and sometime vocalist...
.
The album took Fish the longest time yet to make, several songs on it had already premiered live in summer of 1992.
Singles and chart positions
Despite the lack of major label support, it went to no. 18 on the UK Album Charts, doing better than both the 1991 album Internal ExileInternal Exile
Internal Exile was Fish's second solo album after leaving Marillion in 1988. The album, released 28 October 1991, was inspired by the singer's past, his own personal problems and his troubled experiences with his previous record label EMI.The album's music reflects Fish's indulgence in the vast...
(#21) and Songs from the Mirror, which didn't chart. However, this would turn out to be Fish's last UK top 40 album (as of February 2008). Two singles released from this album (Lady Let It Lie and Fortunes of War) failed to enter the UK top 40. In an attempt to keep up sales for "Fortunes of War" over a longer period, Fish had decided to release four versions of the CD single across four weeks. As an incentive, every individual single CD contained a different version of the title track and three different acoustic recordings each, adding up to a full acoustic album in terms of playing time. However, record shops frustrated this scheme by often selling the complete 4-disc set at one time.
Re-releases
After Fish signed with Roadrunner RecordsRoadrunner Records
Roadrunner Records is an American record label that concentrates primarily on heavy metal bands. It is currently a subsidiary of Warner Music Group.-History:...
in 1998, Suits was re-released on this label along with the other studio albums from the backcatalogue. The re-release contained two bonus tracks previously released as B-side of "Lady Let It Lie" and the double vinyl edition.
Track listing
Note: "Dick" is Fish's actual surname.- "Mr 1470" (DickFish (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:...
, Paterson, Boult) – 06:04 - "Lady Let It Lie" (Dick, PatonDavid PatonDavid Paton is a Scottish bass and guitar player, most notably with three different bands: Pilot, The Alan Parsons Project, and Camel. He has also worked as a solo artist, session musician, and sometime vocalist...
, Cassidy) – 06:53 - "Emperor's Song" (Dick, Cassidy/Boult) – 06:18
- "Fortunes Of War" (Dick, Cassidy,Boult) – 07:50
- "Somebody Special" (Dick, Boult,Paton) – 05:22
- "No Dummy" (Dick, Cassidy,Boult) – 06:16
- "Pipeline" (Dick, Paton,Boult) – 06:43
- "Jumpsuit City" (Dick, Cassidy,Boult) – 06:49
- "Bandwagon" (Dick, Paton,Boult, Paterson, WilkinsonKevin WilkinsonKevin Wilkinson was a musician based in Swindon, Wiltshire, England.- Career :Born Kevin Michael Wilkinson in Stoke-on-Trent, he is credited as a former official member of several successful British pop groups, including The League of Gentlemen , The Waterboys , China Crisis and Squeeze...
) – 05:07 - "Raw Meat" (Dick, Paterson) – 07:17
Remastered edition
- "Black Canal" (Dick, Paterson) – 08:26
- "Out Of My Life" (Dick, Boult) – 03:45
Personnel
- Derek W Dick (Fish) – vocals
- Lorna Bannon – background vocals
- Robin Boult – guitar
- James Cassidy – keyboards
- Marc Duff – flute, human whistle
- Charlie McKerron – fiddle
- David Murray – bagpipes
- Foster Paterson – keyboards, background vocals
- David PatonDavid PatonDavid Paton is a Scottish bass and guitar player, most notably with three different bands: Pilot, The Alan Parsons Project, and Camel. He has also worked as a solo artist, session musician, and sometime vocalist...
– bass guitar, background vocals - Fraser Spiers – harmonica
- Frank UsherFrank UsherFrank Usher is an English guitarist best known for his work in Fish's band. Usher lives and operates a guitar-manufacturing business in Innerleithen, Scotland...
– guitar - Kevin WilkinsonKevin WilkinsonKevin Wilkinson was a musician based in Swindon, Wiltshire, England.- Career :Born Kevin Michael Wilkinson in Stoke-on-Trent, he is credited as a former official member of several successful British pop groups, including The League of Gentlemen , The Waterboys , China Crisis and Squeeze...
– percussion, drums
Production
- James Cassidy – Arranger, Producer, Engineer, Mixing
- Stuart James – photography
- Steve Pearce – assistant engineer
- Julie Wilkinson – design, illustrations, cover illustration
- Mark Wilkinson – design, illustrations, cover illustration
- Ken Johnson "Snakehips" & His West Indian Dance Band – conductor, choir director