Artist: FISH
Album: VIGIL IN A WILDERNESS OF MIRRORS DELUXE EXPANDED/ REMASTER EDIT. (3CD+2BRD DIGI)

Release date: 2024
EAN/UPS: 0700153716710
Media type: CD

The first CD on both titles of the deluxe versions is the 2024 remix of the original album plus all the B-sides. You can find all the track listings for the CD’s on the product pages. CD2 on both titles is the previously unavailable demos that have been digitally remastered from the original Akai 12-track tapes and mixed by Steve Vantsis. These were all recorded here at the old Funny Farm Recording Studios through 1988 to 1991. CD3 and CD4 on both deluxe issues are live versions from across the ages and by different bands on different tours. These include recordings from the BBC concerts at Town and Country Club and the Royal Court Theatre in Nottingham and some previously unheard versions of material which, when all brought together, have live performances of every song from the respective albums. 

The standard versions of both albums have three CDs, with the difference being that CD3 is a compilation of live and re-recorded material from CD3 and CD4 from the deluxe version. The deluxe versions of both ‘Vigil’ and ‘Internal Exile’ come in hardback books in slipcases with 100 pages containing Mark Wilkinson artwork, including original sketches, rare photos and images from backstage, and also the promo material from the relevant eras. They also have over 13,000 words of original sleeve notes that take you through one of the most dramatic, testing, and exciting periods of my life as I began my solo career—a time in my life that was, to say the least, challenging. All the lyrics are printed and accompanied by images with the entire book brilliantly put together by Steve Vantsis.

The deluxe versions also have Blu-ray discs which contain the Dolby Atmos and 5.1 versions of the 2024 albums mixed by Avril Mackintosh and Andy Bradfield, who have previously mixed the ‘13th Star’ album as well as the most recent ‘Marillion’ remasters for Warners. ‘Internal’ and ‘Vigil’ are perfect for these special mixes, and Avril and Andy have pulled out all the stops to make them magnificent. The Blu-ray also has the relevant promotional videos that have had the 2024 mixes added to the audio beds and the film enhanced, and on both titles, there are extensive documentaries filmed by Dave Barras and Scott Mackay at Strangeboat. There are in-depth interviews with myself about the eras and substantial footage that I shot myself and with others from the studio and writing sessions at the Funny Farm and on tour, including the early solo shows. There’s also a documentary interview with Mark Wilkinson, who reveals the stories behind the artwork and his recollections of those early days of my solo career. There are nearly two hours of documentary footage on each title.

Finally, on each of the Blu-rays, there are two full concert audio recordings that were previously released in 1993 as part of the ‘official bootleg series’ and long since deleted. On the ‘Vigil’ deluxe, it is ‘Pigpen’s Birthday’ (1990) and ‘For Whom the Bell Tolls’ (1991), and on ‘Internal Exile,’ it’s ‘Uncle Fish and the Cryptcreepers’ (1991) and ‘Derek Dick and his Amazing Electric Bear’ (1991). The audio on all of these shows has been remastered by Calum Malcolm. The deluxe versions of the albums are without doubt the finest produced to date and rightly befitting these two outstanding titles. These are true legacy editions. The standard version of both ‘Vigil’ and ‘Internal’ is a hardback digipak similar to the previous remasters and has 48 pages of photos, images, and lyrics with the aforementioned three CDs - the 2024 remix, the demos, and the live/re-recording compilations.

CD 1 Vigil In A Wilderness Of Mirrors:
2024 Remixed by Calum Malcolm

    "Vigil In A Wilderness Of Mirrors" – 8:46
    "Big Wedge" – 5:20
    "State of Mind" – 4:45
    "The Company" – 4:04
    "A Gentleman's Excuse Me" – 4:19
    "The Voyeur (I Like To Watch)" – 4:46
    "Family Business" – 5:18
    "Cliché" – 7:06
    "View From The Hill" – 6:52
    "Jack and Jill" – 4:26
    "Internal Exile" ('89 Version) – 4:47
    "Whiplash" – 4:21

CD 2 Demos:

    Vigil In A Wilderness Of Mirrors (Demo) 8:33
    State Of Mind (Demo) 4:43
    The Company (Demo) 4:15
    The Voyeur (Demo) 5:06
    Big Wedge (Demo) 5:41
    Big Wedge (Instrumental Demo) 5:55
    Cliché (Demo) 4:34
    View From A Hill (Demo) 6:45
    Family Business (Demo) 5:11
    A Gentleman's Excuse Me (Demo) 3:59
    The Curious Hill (Unused Mickey Simmonds Demo) 8:34

CD 3 Live:

BBC Town and Country 11/11/89
    Vigil In A Wilderness Of Mirrors 8:44
    Family Business 5:22

Hammersmith Odeon 2/4/90 "Pigpen's Birthday"
    The Voyeur 5:38
    State Of Mind 5:07
    A Gentleman's Excuse Me 3:53
    Cliché 6:47

BBC Nottingham Royal Court 15/11/91
    Big Wedge 6:23
    The Company 4:02
    Vigil In A Wilderness Of Mirrors 9:21

Muziekcentrum Enschede 28/6/02
    State Of Mind (featuring Jan Akkerman) 13:18

CD 4 Live (continued):

Dusseldorf Phillips Halle 7/12/91 "Uncle Fish and the Crypt Keepers"
    Vigil In A Wilderness Of Mirrors 9:26
    Big Wedge 6:31

Haddington Corn Exchange 8/11/91 "Derek Dick and his Amazing Dancing Bear"
    State Of Mind 5:40

Utrecht Vredenberg 21/3/94 "Sushi"
    Family Business 5:43
    The Company 4:08

Przemysl, Poland 97
    Cliché 8:08

Leamington Spa, 24/11/21 "Vigils End"
    View From A Hill 6:41
    A Gentleman's Excuse Me 3:58

The Studio, Spittalrig Farm "Fishheads Club Acoustic Versions 11/3/12"
    Family Business 6:12
    Vigil In A Wilderness Of Mirrors 10:35

Blu-ray Disc:

    Vigil In A Wilderness Of Mirrors 2024 Remix - Dolby Atmos and 5.1 mixes
    Fish Interview "Climbing The Hill" Documentary Film
    Mark Wilkinson Interview "The Art Of Vigil" Documentary Film
    State Of Mind Promo Video
    Big Wedge Promo Video
    A Gentleman's Excuse Me Promo Video
    Pigpen's Birthday - Live at the Hammersmith Odeon 2/4/1990 Full 'Official Bootleg' Concert Audio
    For Whom The Bells Toll! - Edinburgh Playhouse New Years Eve 1991 Full 'Official Bootleg' Concert Audio