July 3rd, 2014 - A Backyahd Garden Party... or... A Foolproof Script For A Jester

 

Good afternoon friends!!  The Meista here with another great pairing for you... and this one goes out to my good friends and fellow Marillion fans, Nick McClure and Mike Riedel!  Cheers my friends!!  Today I'm going with Marillion's brilliant "Script For A Jester's Tear" and a Backyahd India Pale Ale (IPA) from Foolproof Brewing Company out of Pawtucket, Rhode Island!

"Script For A Jester's Tear" is the debut album by neo-prog rock outfit Marillion and was released in March of 1983.  (My copy is the 2-disc remastered, re-release from 1997.)  Personnel on the album included Derek Dick (aka Fish) on lead vocals, Steve Rothery on lead and rhythm guitars, Mark Kelly on keyboards, Pete Trewavas on fretted and fretless bass, and Mick Pointer on drums and percussion. "Script For A Jester's Tear" is the only Marillion album to feature Pointer, who left the band to form Arena.  (He was replaced in 1984 by Ian Mosley, who is still with the band.)  Following in the footsteps of Peter Gabriel-era Genesis, Marillion's "Script For A Jester's Tear" is a thoughtful, emotionally honest, and musically enchanting album.  Along with the amazing title track, the album included some of the band's most compelling work.  Tracks like "The Web", "Garden Party", "Chelsea Monday", and "Forgotten Sons" are works of profound artistry and integrity.  The 1997 version includes the following additional amazing tracks:

1. "Market Square Heroes" (Battle Priest Version)
2. "Three Boats Down from the Candy"
3. "Grendel" (Fair Deal Studios Version)
4. "Chelsea Monday" (Manchester Square Demo)
5. "He Knows You Know" (Manchester Square Demo)
6. "Charting the Single" (Alternative Version)
7. "Market Square Heroes" (Alternative Version)

The Backyahd IPA from Foolproof Brewing Company pours a hazy, honey-red amber with a thin, white head.  The nose is a big piney, herbal aroma.  There are notes of citrus and crackery malt as well.  Light bodied and well-carbonated, the Backyahd IPA has a crisp, somewhat dry, and refreshing mouthfeel.  The flavor is characterized by big pine resin, citrus, tropical fruit, and mellow malts.  There are notes of earthy herbs, black tea, juicy grapefruit, mango, subtle pineapple, and pale malt.  It finishes with a dry, bitter note that lingers.  The clean, refreshing, and somewhat bitter flavor of the Backyahd IPA is a great accompaniment to  "Script For A Jester's Tear"!!

Cheers!!