Marillion | Childhood’s End – again! (Record Collector)

For those new to Marillion, or prog per se, their magnum opus, Misplaced Childhood, is a must-have. The 1998 2CD Deluxe Edition added singles, B-sides, versions and a dozen demos, CD 4 of this five-disc set, bolstered by a Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree) stereo remix of the period Lady Nina. But the main reasons for re-purchase are an integral 60-page booklet on MC’s genesis, including unpublished personal photos/repro artwork, the 18-track Live At  Utrecht 1985 2CD (17 unissued), and a Bluray. Utrecht captures the band on fine form (Fish amiably plastered), the only minor quibble being unedited encore cheering.

The BD includes 5.1 mixes by latterday convert Wilson, his mixes making Pseudosilk Kimono sound more John Carpenter than ever, while there’s accentuated depth in the likes of Heart Of Lothian and Childhood’s End? But the meat lies in the 74-minute Childhood Memories, in which the quintet reminisce for the first time in 25 years with producer Chris Kimsey on the writing and making of the album. His track-sheets trigger memories like the rejection of Lady Nina, alternate song titles such as Convoys, a half-speed Kayleigh segue for Lords Of The Backstage, and Steve Rothery’s dream riff. There’s also isolated playback of individual tracks including a Nazi dagger scrape and a forgotten drunkards’ chorus. Eye-opening and ear-pleasing.