13th Star

Untitled

13th Star is an album by Fish. Released as a limited edition via mail-order in September 2007 and to retail in February 2008, it is his ninth solo studio album since he left Marillion in 1988 and the first since Field of Crows (2004). Released on Fish's own imprint Chocolate Frog Record Company, retail distribution is handled by Snapper Music.

Music and lyrics

Steve Vantsis, who was Fish's permanent bassist from the Sunsets on Empire tour (1997) until 2008, was the main writing partner on this album (a role previously held by, among others, Mickey Simmonds, Steven Wilson, John Wesley and Bruce Watson). It features a rougher, more guitar-based and slightly industrial sound on a number of tracks and is therefore perceived as a departure by many fans. However, Fish had explored similar ideas as early as on Sunsets on Empire and Raingods with Zippos (1999). Also, a number of tracks have classic Fish hallmarks, significantly enhanced by the presence of his longtime companion Frank Usher on guitars.

Most lyrics deal with, or are at least implicitly in reference to, Fish's failed relationship with Mostly Autumn singer Heather Findlay who left him in 2007, cancelling their scheduled wedding. The title 13th Star originally referred to her as being the 13th female significant other in Fish's life, but ended up as a metaphor for an (unknown) future relationship, it is also the 13th album of his career (4 with Marillion & 9 solo). The original title of the song "Zoë 25" was "Micklegate", after the place where Fish had proposed to her.

Musicians

Steve Vantsis, previously strictly the bassist, emerges as the dominant musician on the album. Apart from most of the songwriting, he is also responsible for electric and acoustic guitars and keyboards. The main guitarist is once again Frank Usher, who also co-wrote one song ("Openwater"). Keyboards are handled by Foss Paterson, returning into the line-up for the first time since 1997 (except for a brief one-off stint on the 2000 tour of Bosnia). He also co-wrote the only other non-Vantsis song on the album, the piano ballad "Miles de Besos". Further guitar credits go to Chris Johnson (of The Evernauts and Mostly Autumn), who is also the second guitarist on the tour. Another Mostly Autumn connection is former Karnataka drummer Gavin Griffiths, who played with them for most of 2007. Dave Haswell, who had already contributed to Fish's previous three studio albums, plays additional percussion. Female backing vocals are by Lorna Bannon, who had appeared on Songs from the Mirror, Suits and Sunsets on Empire.

The album was produced by Calum Malcolm, who had mixed and/or (re)mastered several Fish albums before.

Singles

The track "Arc of the Curve" is released as a single on 3 March 2008. The CD version contains only two tracks (the album version and an edited version of the title track), however, a download version including three live tracks is available from iTunes. On 6 October 2008, "Zoe 25" was released as the second single along with two live tracks (download and CD version).

Tour

Fish first presented the album on the European Clutching at Stars tour which began in the summer of 2007. In celebration of the 20th anniversary of Clutching at Straws, Fish's last album with Marillion, the setlist included songs from that album as well as new tracks from 13th Star (hence the title of the tour). After the retail release of the album, the tour is continuing with a stronger focus on the new material.

In June 2008, Fish embarked on his first coast-to-coast North American tour in over 10 years. At each stop, he hosted a pre-show meet and greet with the fans.

Track listing

1. "Circle Line" (Dick/Vantsis) - 6:04
2. "Square Go" (Dick/Vantsis) - 5:31
3. "Miles de Besos" (Dick/Paterson) - 4:22
4. "Zoë 25" (Dick/Vantsis) - 5.19
5. "Arc of the Curve" (Dick/Vantsis) - 4:29
6. "Manchmal" (Dick/Vantsis) - 5:42
7. "Openwater" (Dick/Usher) - 5:07
8. "Dark Star" (Dick/Vantsis) - 6:48
9. "Where in the World" (Dick/Vantsis) - 6:05
10. "13th Star" (Dick/Vantsis) - 5:41

Total time: 55:30

Personnel

• Fish (Derek W. Dick) - All Vocals
• Frank Usher - Electric Guitars; Acoustic Guitars (Tracks 3,4,5,9 and 10); Loop Guitar (1); Lap Steel (5)
• Steve Vantsis - Bass Guitars; Electric Guitars (2,4,6,7 and 8); Acoustic Guitars (1,4 and 10); Keyboards (1,2,4,6,8,9 and 10); Upright Bass (3); Clavinet (2); Drum Loop and Programming; Samples
• Chris Johnson - Electric Guitars; Acoustic Guitars (4,5 and 9)
• Foss Patterson - Piano (1,3,4 and 5); Keyboards (1,2,3,4,6,7,8 and 9); Organ (1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9 and 10); Strings (1,2,3,4,5,8,9 and 10); Music Box (4); Dulcimer; Accordion; Samples (10)
• Gavin Griffiths - Drums
• Dave Haswell - Percussion (1,3,4,5 and 10)
• Lorna Bannon - Backing Vocals (3,4,5,6,9 and 10)