(Review from progarchives.com)

This is a two-disc compilation of songs from various performances during the Fish-era. Whereas the first disc is a true compilation of live tracks, the second disc is an integral performance of the Misplaced Childhood album.

“Thieving Magpie” is a worthy record of the band’s Fish era performances. The event opens in true prog fashion (per “Yessongs” among many others), with a recorded rendition of the classical title piece (originally titled “La Gazza Ladra”) by the opera composer Gioacchino Rossini. This moves stright into the appearance of the band, and we’re off with “Slŕinte Mhath” from the “Clutching at Straws” album.

The track selections cross the four official Fish era studio albums, but puzzlingly room is not found for the non album track “Market Square Heroes”, which was always a live favourite. While there is no doubt these performances are live, there is little variation from the studio originals. The rendition of “Part 1″ of “Misplaced Childhood” (up to “Heart of Lothian”) is superb, with a majesty to Rothery’s guitar work in particular which does go beyond even the studio version.

Clearly the tour during which this album was recorded must have been difficult. “Clutching at straws” was a thinly veiled farewell album for Fish, the lyrics of a number of the songs reflecting both his personal issues and those he had with the rest of the band. “The Thieving Magpie” does serve well though, as a fitting epitaph to this all too brief part of the band’s existence.

Line-up:
- Fish / vocals
- Mark Kelly / keyboards
- Ian Mosley / drums
- Steve Rothery / guitars
- Pete Trewavas / basses

Track List:
CD1
01. Intro – 2:45
02. Slainte Mhath – 4:49
03. He Knows You Know – 5:12
04. Chelsea Monday – 8:00
05. Freaks – 4:06
06. Jigsaw – 6:24
07. Punch & Judy – 3:23
08. Sugar Mice – 6:03
09. Fugazi – 8:39
10. Script For A Jester’s Tear – 8:45
11. Incommunicado – 5:23
12. White Russian – 6:14
CD2
01. Pseudo Silk Kimono – 2:19
02. Kayleigh – 3:52
03. Lavender – 2:27
04. Bitter Suite – 7:38
05. Heart Of Lothian – 5:12
06. Waterhole – 2:16
07. Lord Of The Backstage – 6:07
08. Blind Curve – 5:34
09. Childhoods End – 2:48
10. White Feather – 4:22

Links in comments.