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A Mirror of Dreams
A Mirror Of Dreams is the first of two books by Andrew Wild which provide the definitive account of the intertwined stories of the six bands which led the 1980s progressive rock revival: Marillion, IQ, Pallas, Pendragon, Solstice and Twelfth Night.
Edited by Big Big Train’s Gregory Spawton and with a foreword by Prog editor Jerry Ewing, the book features over 200 rare or previously unpublished photographs and illustrations.
Wild interviewed no fewer than 85 musicians and other participants in the early 1980s progressive rock scene. These interviews included most of the members of all the aforementioned bands as well as Abel Ganz, Comedy Of Errors, Galahad, Haze, It Bites, Jadis, The Lens, No-Man, Quasar, Trilogy and more.
Additionally Wild, spoke with key non-musical figures such as Aylesbury Friars promoter David Stopps, former Marillion manager John Arnison and Nigel Hutchings, the former manager of the legendary Marquee Club in London.
Edited by Big Big Train’s Gregory Spawton and with a foreword by Prog editor Jerry Ewing, the book features over 200 rare or previously unpublished photographs and illustrations.
Wild interviewed no fewer than 85 musicians and other participants in the early 1980s progressive rock scene. These interviews included most of the members of all the aforementioned bands as well as Abel Ganz, Comedy Of Errors, Galahad, Haze, It Bites, Jadis, The Lens, No-Man, Quasar, Trilogy and more.
Additionally Wild, spoke with key non-musical figures such as Aylesbury Friars promoter David Stopps, former Marillion manager John Arnison and Nigel Hutchings, the former manager of the legendary Marquee Club in London.
- GenresNonfictionMusic
277 pages, Paperback
Published June 28, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 16, 2025
I did enjoy this book, unfortunately I'm old enough to remember it happening and managed to see a few of the bands mentioned at the old Marquee (RIP).
My main disappointment was that it concentrated solely on the so-called 'Big 6' (a phrase I wasn't aware of and question) ... the book advertises itself as being about the Progressive Rock Revival of the early 1980's so why does it exclude an awful lot of the bands that were involved in it? Some are fleetingly mentioned and quoted but only in passing, a bit nonsensical as one of these (Trilogy ) were providing support on the tour that is covered in one of the later chapters.
The Enid are mentioned countless times, they had a second wind during the Prog revival, they may have been around before the majority of the bands featured but they formed around the same time as Pallas so why are the latter featured but not the former?
I'd like to have learned more about the other bands involved, like Trilogy, Tamarisk, Airbridge, Haze, Dagaband. Dagaband were on the rise pre all these bands until a car accident put them out of business, but you wouldn't know that from reading this book....
There is pointless reproduction of articles from the music press and fanzines, surely just the salient points could have been noted?
It's great to learn about the various fanzines and lovely to see the Organ get mentioned.
Overall this is a great book but it's not as comprehensive as I would have liked...
My main disappointment was that it concentrated solely on the so-called 'Big 6' (a phrase I wasn't aware of and question) ... the book advertises itself as being about the Progressive Rock Revival of the early 1980's so why does it exclude an awful lot of the bands that were involved in it? Some are fleetingly mentioned and quoted but only in passing, a bit nonsensical as one of these (Trilogy ) were providing support on the tour that is covered in one of the later chapters.
The Enid are mentioned countless times, they had a second wind during the Prog revival, they may have been around before the majority of the bands featured but they formed around the same time as Pallas so why are the latter featured but not the former?
I'd like to have learned more about the other bands involved, like Trilogy, Tamarisk, Airbridge, Haze, Dagaband. Dagaband were on the rise pre all these bands until a car accident put them out of business, but you wouldn't know that from reading this book....
There is pointless reproduction of articles from the music press and fanzines, surely just the salient points could have been noted?
It's great to learn about the various fanzines and lovely to see the Organ get mentioned.
Overall this is a great book but it's not as comprehensive as I would have liked...
February 24, 2025
An engrossing read, very well researched and presented. I'm not familiar with most of these bands, Marillion being the one exception, but the author provides enough context to the early 80s prog scene that it doesn't matter. Also, I have Spotify so I can listen along.
Looking forward to part two later in the year.
Looking forward to part two later in the year.
July 10, 2025
Compelling account of an underexamined musical scene. Full review: https://fakegeekboy.wordpress.com/202...
October 26, 2025
Some good stories and great pictures but I do not like is writing style. I will not read Book II.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews