Marillion - Script For A Jester's Tear

Script For A Jester’s Tear is the debut studio album by English progressive rock band Marillion, originally released in March 1983 via EMI Records.

The debut album was recorded between late 1982 and 1983 after the band had been signed to EMI Records. The first single released after their signing was “Market Square Heroes” which was a minor hit in October 1982, however was not included on their debut studio album.

The lyrics on the album were primarily written by lead singer Fish, and the music was composed and arranged by the band, a template for writing material for their albums that has largely remained with the band to this day.

The album was produced by Nick Tauber and comprises six tracks, and produced two singles “He Knows You Know” and “Garden Party” which both reached the Top 40 singles charts in the UK.

The album spent 31 weeks on the UK albums chart eventually peaking at #7 and was favourably received by music critics at that time praising its progressive rock stylings with a darker edge. The success of Marillion and their debut album gave progressive rock music a new wave of interest, which helped to revive the fortunes of bands such as Yes and Genesis.

The members of Marillion that recorded this album were:

• Fish – vocals
• Steve Rothery – guitars
• Pete Trewavas – bass
• Mark Kelly – keyboards
• Mick Pointer – drums, percussion

This album is a 2021 reissue on black vinyl housed in a gatefold sleeve with remastered audio, pressed in Germany via Parlophone Records.