The Genesis of an Experiment
This is an experiment.
Not like a Beaker-from-the-Muppet-Show experiment. I'm not mixing chemicals in a lab here. And I don't have buggy eyes without eyelids. That's just creepy.
And no, I don't intend for this post to explode and singe anyone's hair. But it will be fun to see what you all come up with.
I have noted from previous replies and direct e-mails that some of you are almost as interested as yours truly in the prospect of a Genesis reunion--a real one, with Peter Gabriel and Steve Hackett from the "classical" line-up of the early 1970s. So I'm going to update you on that with the latest breaking news, probably before you see it anywhere else.
For the rest of you, perhaps most of you, here's a challenge: Name your favorite Genesis song and why, or your least favorite and why. Or you can just play the role of David here and make a bad Genesis song pun.
Like telling me that you can't think of anything to say "Tonight, Tonight. Tonight."
(I know it's weak; that's why I'm turning it over to you.)
Now to the news ...
Phil Collins gave an interview this month to BroadwayWorld.com, and one of the questions concerned the rumors of a Genesis reunion. Here are a few excerpts from his reply:
-- "We all got together to talk about this last November; all five of us with Peter and Steve. This is something we may do in a couple of years."
-- "There is certainly nothing planned. If that didn’t come together because of various people’s schedules, then maybe the three of us, me, Tony [Banks] and Mike [Rutherford] might do something. I would do it with the drop of a hat."
-- "We actually got a little bit of time booked for the three of us just playing around, jamming together in October. There’s nothing fixed though!"
So there you have it. I suspect that it WILL happen by the end of 2007, but that's just a guess based on his expressed interest and the fact that Peter and Steve should be able to work it into their schedules by then. And if I'm wrong, well ... I hope you won't hold it against me.
We'll just call it a "Misunderstanding."
posted by David Amulet @ 9:31 PM
16 wisecracks
16 Comments:
My favorite? I can't decide. Besides, "It's Yourself" that knows Genesis "Inside and Out."
All I can say about a reunion is that I'm sure Phil and the others would like to "Keep it Dark" unless something comes to fruition.
;-)
Fav: No Reply At All...no particular reason. That and Abacab - mostly cause I like the name and it's a catchy tune.
Least Fav: Land of Confusion - direct result of that video - musta been some misunderstanding with that one! Hated it.
Just so there's no "Misunderstanding", you want us to choose our favorite and least favorite Genesis songs, right?
My favorite is a rather non-descript song, off "We Can't Dance", called "Dreaming While You Sleep". It involves a guy while driving at night, hits a woman, killing her, then drives away, keeping the secret "to his grave", as the song says. Not only are the lyrics powerful, but the melody is quite haunting, as well.
Of the more commercial songs, I'd have to go with "Misunderstanding"; just a great song.
I was never into the band while Gabriel was in it, so most anything in that time frame would qualify as my least favorite.
I've always been partial to Firth of Fifth. The lyrics are rather trippy, but the music just floors me every time-- Gabriel's flute solo segueing into Hackett's guitar solo. I consider Hackett's solo in this song to be one of the most emotive guitar solos I've ever heard. No matter how many times I hear it, it still floors me. One of my favorite versions is the one from Hackett's Tokyo Tapes set with Ian MacDonald on flute and John Wetton on vocals-- I daresay it's ALMOST as good as the original version from Selling England By the Pound.
That being said Afterglow and Los Endos get honorable mentions for their similar musical kick-assedness...
I like "I Can't Dance." It's a funny song. Second has to be "Jesus He Knows Me." I'm so glad somebody went off on TV evangilists.
Right now, "Throwing It All Away" seems to be relevant in my life.
They're "In Hiding".
That's all I have to say.
I like "I Can't Dance." too, although I never really got into the band really.
Yes I am a philistine.
But talking of Phil Collins solo I adore "In the air tonight."
Curare, MC2, PDD: If you truly have heard "It's Yourself," "A Place To Call My Own," and "In Hiding," I'm impressed. The former was never on studio album and only saw the light of day when unreleased tracks from long ago hit a boxed set; the latter two are from the late 1960s, from the group's first album (before Phil Collins), a record that only a couple of hundred people (originally) bought!
OMW, Bruce: Of the singles in the Phil era, you've named a few of my favorites. And "Dreaming" is one of the better tracks on the otherwise disappointing last album with Phil.
Ben, Perplexio: You KNOW that I agree with your choices. Brilliant songs.
Phoenix: Sorry to hear you are facing a situation similar to "Throwing It All Away." I hope it turns in a brighter direction soon.
Pixie, Kim: I can't say I'm a fan of the poppy stuff like "I Can't Dance," but I will respect those who do. A little. "In the Air Tonight" made millions of people air drummers. And much of Phil Collins' early solo material was impressive, I just don't like much of what he's done since the early 90s.
Thanks to all for weighing in. Too bad nobody mentioned "Mama," one of the creepier songs in the Phil-era Genesis catalogue.
-- david
I love Phil AND Peter both...but honestly, I liked their individual works much better than when they were in the band together.
Anyway, I always liked "I can't dance"...and I loved the video! :)
The man steps out in the moonlight
At the sound of a scream from below.
He thinks he is a warrior
So he picks up his sword and goes.
From the mouth of the monster
He rescues the maiden fair.
But we know she's a demon
Come to lure him to demon's lair.
I'm pretty sure that I resemble this song.
Stacy: I can understand how you like them both; their voices have some similarities. I read one story about how after Phil took over the vocals when Peter left in 1975, someone noted that he sounded more like Peter Gabriel than Peter Gabriel did!
BV: A great story. I love the ending line of the song: "So he went inside there, to see what he had found/But he never escaped there, for no one can escape what he desires."
Mimi: I'm not a big fan of the ballad as an art form ... but "Against All Odds" is one hell of a song.
-- david
Twenty years ago my favorites were "Ripples" and "And The Lamb..." Now I think I like the 80s pop songs just as well as the more prog 70s songs. Of the 80s pop ones I think "That's All" is the best.
A Genesis reunion?
Are you serious? Can't we let them die in peace, like the Politburo?
(They were a lot like the Politburo--only with a little less musical talent and more hegemony, as I recall.)
What's next, an Air Supply reunion?
(Or did they ever break up?)
You know, I don't care--just as long as they stay off the radio...
Phil "Dirt" Collins... that says it all.
This is good news! I hope that they pull it off with class...if it happens.
If it happens is right. I can't get five of my friends together for a dinner out ... I don't know how they'll arrange this!
-- david
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