h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I first "discovered" Marillion with the random purchase of a "Six of One, Half-Dozen of the Other" cassette tape at a yard sale. I'd be embarrassed to admit the price, but later bought that CD and 4 or 5 others. It is still my favorite, but perhaps for reasons less than apparent.

I had spent months working on ideas for a specific musical and realized the need for a specific, unidentifiable "sound" that hovered at the back of my brain. Only to pass time, I pulled the purchased tape from a drawer where it had sat for almost as many months unheard.

As I listened, I realized that this was the sound my musical was looking for, and that it would be perfectly usable. After a few more listens, I experienced what I can only describe as a horrifying epiphany, the blokes had actually written 95% of the words as well!

I had to shelve the project, as I could think of no way around the dilemma except to get permission to use the songs, slightly tweaked. It has been several years, and I think I can now go ahead with an approach that won't subject me to terrible copyright infringement charges. Pity, really. I'd certainly liked to have worked with them on the project.