Search - Fish :: Bouillabaisse: Best of Fish

Balladeer & Rocketeer

Russ Bellinger | Bradenton, Florida USA | 11/01/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First let me say that there are not enough stars available to properly praise this CD. The first disc is the Balladeer and it really shows off the genious that is Fish by placing side by side some of the best ballads of his career. Fish has written some of the very best love songs EVER! Very, very touching and moving to the soul. His wit and gift for words is second to none. These are not poppy ballads that are just gloss, they are firmly grounded tunes based deep in reality and with emotional depth, clarity, and wise lyrics. The kind of thing that you don't get with much of today's music. The second disk is the Rocketeer and of course it rocks with some of Fish's most powerful tunes. An overall view of an extemely talented, wise and gifted man, not to mention an incredible vocalist and performer. Very nice package with great artwork by Mark Wilkinson."

Amazing for the newbies....lacking for the hardcores!

Samuel A. Maston | Florida USA | 05/15/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I have been a fan of FISH since his days with Marillion. I already own much of what is represented here, and only purchased for the exclusive edits, the song "Caledonia" and the beautiful packaging. Disc one is absolutely brilliant...some of his best work. I have a few big gripes about this collection that kept me from making this a 5 Star. What happened with disc two? Where is "Familly Business"? I would have rather seen the re-recorded versions (from Yin/Yang) for the old Marillion tracks...not that they are inferior, but the re-recorded versions seem a bit more representational of where FISH is now. I would have liked to see some rarities as well...perhaps "Poet's Moon". The entire "Plague of Ghosts" isn't necessary...a nice edit of "Digging Deep" and "Raingods Dancing" would have been enough. Snapper has put out some nice box sets lately (Katatonia's "Black Sessions" with DVD(!) and My Dying Bride...) and I was expecting a little more. This IS a great release, but as a hard core fan I was hoping for more goodies. If you are new to FISH, I suggest you start here."