Fish – Vigil in a Wilderness of Mirrors (Deluxe Edition) (2024)

‘Vigil in a Wilderness of Mirrors’, Fish’s first solo album after Marillion, originally released in 1990, has been remixed for 2024 by Calum Malcolm. This new remix breathes new energy and dynamics into the album, breathing new life into it. The remix highlights favorite songs like “Cliché” and “The Company” and celebrates the album’s lasting legacy as Fish embarks on a new chapter.
‘Vigil in a Wilderness of Mirrors’ was Fish’s first solo album after leaving Marillion in 1988. After moving to a farm near Haddington in East Lothian, Scotland, he began writing with his then main collaborator, keyboardist Mickey Simmonds. who had previously been with Mike Oldfield. In the practice room on the farm they were joined by guitarists Hal Lindes…

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…who had recently left ‘Dire Straits’, and Janick Gers, who was about to join ‘Iron Maiden’. By early spring 1989 they finished writing the album, and in March 1989 Fish gave his first solo performance at a charity evening at the Rex Cinema in Lockerbie. The band on stage consisted of drummer John Keeble from ‘Spandau Ballet’, Frank Usher on guitar, Bruce Watson from ‘Big Country’ on mandolin, Neil Hay on bass guitar and Alison Jones on violin. Besides Alison and Neil, all the musicians on stage that night, including Mickey, Hal and Janick, would work with Fish on the album’s recording at Townhouse Studios in London that summer.
Jon Kelly (Deacon Blue, Kate Bush, Chris Rea) came in as producer, and although John Keeble would play on some studio tracks, the rhythm section consisted of Scottish bassist John Giblin (Kate Bush, John Martyn, Simple Minds) and drummer Mark Brzezicki from ‘Big Country’.
Other musicians to appear on the album were Scottish folk musicians Phil Cunningham and Aly Bain on accordion and violin respectively, who, along with Davie Spillane on Uilleann pipes, contributed to ‘The Company’ and an early version of ‘Internal Exile’, as well as the title track. Luis Jardin added percussion, The Kick Horns were the brass components of ‘Big Wedge’ and backing vocals were provided by Tessa Niles and Carol Kenyon.
All songs on the album were recorded at Townhouse Studios, except ‘A Gentleman’s Excuse Me’, which was recorded at Abbey Road’s main studio with a 23-piece orchestra. Mixing took place at Olympic Studios and the album was completed in late summer 1989.
‘State of Mind’ was the album’s lead single and became a Top 40 hit in October as Fish embarked on his first solo tour that took him to the Scottish Highlands and Islands. Hal Lindes declined the opportunity to join the touring band, and old friend Frank Usher stepped in with another friend from Aylesbury, Robin Boult, on guitar. Mark Brzezicki would appear on drums and be joined by his brother Steve on bass. Mickey Simmonds became the centerpiece of the band’s line-up, which would continue to tour until the mid-1990s.
The second single, ‘Big Wedge’, charted in the UK Top 20 and preceded the album release in late January 1990. ‘Vigil’ was a Top 5 album in the UK and Top 20 across Europe. The third single, ‘A Gentleman’s Excuse Me’, although a Top 30 in March 90, added to the album’s depth, and as a first solo release, ‘Vigil in a Wilderness of Mirrors’ was internationally praised by critics.
Seen as a touchstone album in Fish’s career, it quickly became a fan favorite with songs like the epic title track and ‘Cliché’, featuring a defining Frank Usher guitar solo, charting highly in the ratings. The brooding, dark and powerful ‘Family Business’ sat comfortably next to the rock of ‘Big Wedge’ and its booming brass section, and the groove and acoustic slide of ‘State of Mind’. Janick Gers’ writing contribution, ‘View from Hill’, has finally found its place on the 2024 Calum Malcolm remix, and ‘The Company’, an anthem among fans, remains a crowning achievement.
The songs from this album are ever-present in set lists, and this remix and reissue is long overdue, considering the album was last released almost 25 years ago. The 2024 Calum Malcolm remix gives the original album a whole new energy and dynamic, and a completely new lease on life. A perfect legacy and a beautiful conclusion to a circle as Fish moves on to a new chapter in his life.

CD 1 – Remix from 2024
01. Vigil in a Wilderness of Mirrors (2024 Remix) (8:47)
02. Big Wedge (2024 Remix) (5:22)
03. State of Mind (2024 remix) (4:48)
04. The Company (2024 remix) (4:07)
05. A Gentleman’s Pardon (2024 Remix) (4:22)
06. The Voyeur (I like to watch) (2024 Remix) (4:49)
07. Family Business (2024 remix) (5:21)
08. Cliché (2024 remix) (7:09)
09. View from the Hill (2024 remix) (6:55)
10. Jack & Jill (2024 remix) (4:29)
11. Internal Exile (’89 version) (2024 Remix) (4:53)
12. Whiplash (2024 remix) (4:22)

CD 2 – Demos
01. Waking up in a wilderness of mirrors (demo) (8:36)
02. State of mind (demo) (4:45)
03. The Company (demo) (4:17)
04. The Voyeur (demo) (5:08)
05. Big Wedge (demo) (5:43)
06. Big Wedge (instrumental demo) (5:57)
07. Cliché (demo) (4:37)
08. View from a hill (demo) (6:47)
09. Family business (demo) (5:13)
10. Excuse Me for a Gentleman (demo) (4:01)
11. The Curious Hill (unused Mickey Simmonds demo) (8:35)

CD 3 – Live
01. Waking Up in a Wilderness of Mirrors (BBC Town And Country 11-11-89) (8:46)
02. Family business (BBC city and country 11-11-89) (5:24)
03. The Voyeur (Hammersmith Odeon 2-4-90 ‘Pig’s Birthday’) (5:40)
04. State of Mind (Hammersmith Odeon 2-4-90 ‘Pig’s Birthday’) (5:08)
05. A Gentleman’s Pardon (Hammersmith Odeon 2-4-90 ‘Pigpens Birthday’) (3:54)
06. Cliché (Hammersmith Odeon 2-4-90 ‘Pig’s Birthday’) (6:49)
07. Big Wedge (BBC Nottingham Royal Court 15-11-91) (6:26)
08. The Company (BBC Nottingham Royal Court 15-11-91) (4:05)
09. Wake in a Wilderness of Mirrors (BBC Nottingham Royal Court 15-11-91) (9:23)
10. State of Mind (with Jan Akkerman) (Muziekcentrum Enschede 28-6-02) (13:19)

CD 4 – Live
01. Vigil In A Wilderness Of Mirrors (Dusseldorf Phillips Halle 7-12-91 ‘Uncle Fish And The Crypt Creepers’) (9:28)
02. Big Wedge (Dusseldorf Phillips Halle 7-12-91 ‘Uncle Fish And The Crypt Creepers’) (6:32)
03. State of Mind (Haddington Corn Exchange 8-11-91 ‘Derek Dick and His Great Dancing Bear’) (5:42)
04. Family business (Utrecht Vredenberg 21-3-94 ‘Sushi’) (5:44)
05. The Company (Utrecht Vredenberg 21-3-94 ‘Sushi’) (4:10)
06. Cliché (Przemysl, Poland 97) (8:09)
07. View from a Hill (Leamington Spa, 24-11-21 ‘Vigils End’) (6:43)
08. A Gentleman’s Pardon (Leamington Spa, 24-11-21 ‘Vigils End’) (4:01)
09. Family Business (The Studio, Spittalrig Farm ‘Fishheads Club’ acoustic versions 11-3-12) (6:15)
10. Vigil in a Wilderness of Mirrors (The Studio, Spittalrig Farm ‘Fishheads Club’ acoustic versions 11-3-12) (10:36)

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