Fish - Wisconsin 1997 (2024)

Following the release of Marillion’s June 1987 album, Clutching at Straws, with its darker exploration of excess, alcoholism, and life on the road representing the strains of constant touring, Fish took the decision to depart from the band to pursue a solo career. Fish’s debut solo album, Vigil in a Wilderness of Mirrors, was released in January 1990. Several well-known musicians contributed to the record, including former Dire Straits guitarist Hal Lindes, who played guitar on most tracks and also contributed to the writing of three of the album’s songs. Frank Usher, a Fish companion from pre-Marillion times, also contributed. Drums were played by Mark Brzezicki (Big Country) and John Keeble (Spandau Ballet), John Giblin contributed bass and Luís Jardim contributed additional percussion. Backing vocals came from Tessa Niles, who had appeared on Clutching at Straws. Many of Fish's later works contain lengthy spoken-word lyrics, shorter examples of which can be heard on earlier Marillion albums. Fish has collaborated with Genesis founder Tony Banks on his Still and Soundtracks albums. Fish’s fourth solo effort since he left Marillion, was mostly written together with Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree, who co-composed six out of ten tracks and also produced the album. Sunsets on Empire was released on May 19th ’97, and while not a huge seller in the UK, critics largely praised the release and Fish took the album out on the road. The tour covered multiple dates in the UK and Europe – the latter of which included a remarkable twelve nights in Poland - and a further twenty-one shows in the US, and 7 in Canada. Of the entire jaunt, probably the best received concert took place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, high in the mid-west of the country, at the Shark Hall in that northern city, on August 14th ’97.