Mr. Punch
March 2016 the for me unknown
Marillion tribute band
Mr. Punch did a performance at 't Blok in
Nieuwerkerk a/d IJssel (see review). What those Italian musicians presented on a small stage in the Netherlands
was pretty amazing. They perfectly brought back the time when the Scottish singer
Fish fronted this progressive
rock band back in the eighties. A couple of new concerts were announced in our country for 2017. With the memory
of the bands early concert in my mind I had no doubts seeing them again. The Pul in Uden was for our team the
perfect location to see and hear if they once again could relive the Fish years.
|
L to R: Alessandro Corvaglia, Daniele Fuligni and Marcella Arganese |
Just like Marillion in the eighties, the band started their concert with a version of
La Gazza Ladra coming
from a tape. Marillion would most of the time follow this classical piece of music with a live rendition of
Slàinte
Mhath. But Mr. Punch came up with something else. First the intro of
Emerald Lies, which was shortly
followed by a complete version of
Script For A Jester's Tears. Lead singer
Alessandro Corvaglia was
wearing a white shirt and a trouser with Scottish diamond patterns on it. Of course with his moves and gestures
he was Derek W. Dick all over the place. Ripping out his heart and throwing it into the audience was a perfect
way to end the first complete song performed. Of course a version of
Punch And Judy could not been missed,
after all the band was named after this tune which once was released as a single. Next was a song mentioned as
a B-side of a single. For a lot of people
Cinderella Search is probably an even better progressive rock
tune than
Assassing. The A-side of the mentioned single. Next up was the song on which female guitar player
Marcella Arganese could shine all the way. Because, as most fans do know,
Chelsea Monday does contain
|
Guglielmo Mariotti |
an amazing guitar solo. Just like on the following track. After
Incubus was done Marcella and bassist
Guglielmo
Mariotti walked towards each other and for fun put their heads together as a special kind of stage act. While this was done Guglielmo got an electric shock and went dizzy and felt on the floor backstage. This happened while the band made themselves ready to do a complete version of Marillion's 1985 concept album
Misplaced Childhood. Alessandro put on his Kayleigh jacket, which was given to him by a diehard Marillion fan.
New keyboard player
Daniele Fuligni played the first part of the legendary album. After
Pseudo Silk
kimono was done it was time for the two hit singles
Kayleigh and
Lavender. Whilst the
whole album was performed you could tell that the crowd loved it all the way. Lots of people were singing the
lyrics and memories of old days must have gone by while hearing this fabulous progressive rock music. After this
concept album two more compositions could be enjoyed before the musicians left the stage. The earlier mentioned
Assassing and the title track of Marillion's second album (
Fugazi, 1984) were done perfectly and therefore
the band could not escape from doing an encore. However only one song could be done.
Roberto Leoni's
snare drum was damaged too much and therefore only
The Last Straw from
Clutching At Straws (1987)
was done and
Market Square Heroes (1982) was skipped. However even without that song performed everybody
had a blast and are already looking forward to the bands next tour of Marillion classics from the Fish days. This
will probably be a tour focused on the earlier mentioned
Clutching At Straws album.
|
Live rehearsals |
The next day our team could visit a special arranged rehearsal at the Honig Complex in Nijmegen. The band was
jamming and practicing a tune which was written on the spot. For our team the band was willing to do a couple
of Marillion compositions as well. First up was the encore done one day earlier. Namely
The Last Straw.
It was played as strong as I had heard it one day earlier. After that a song, which was done one year earlier.
Well who could ask for more after enjoying a perfect live version of
Forgotten Sons. Just before leaving,
the band came up with a real surprise and gave each of us a bottle of Italian wine. Of course very much appreciated
and a perfect way to say ciao to our Italian friends!
Henri Strik (edited by Tracy van Os van den Abeelen)