Posts by Fabrizio

Quote from StillCan'tDance

While I agree that the Genesis of the early days was not really a guitarist's band, once Steve left Mike's more direct approach seemed to be given greater visibility. Deep In The Motherlode, Misunderstanding, Abacab, Like It Or Not, Home By The Sea, I Can't Dance and Driving The Last Spike all had celebrated guitar parts.

They were not a guitar band in the early days they were even less so in the later days, when even Phil and Tony played less end edited themselves, refraining from showing-off and sticking to the basics. Celebrated guitar parts? By whom? I haven't heard many Genesis fans celebrating those and none of the critics or general audience ever paid attention to them. Don't take this the wrong way but I find you a bit biased in favor of those bits. You don't seem to care much for Steve's playing but are ready to extoll the virtues of Mike's? Come on……..

Quote from StillCan'tDance

Well, I think the addition of such a celebrated jazz fusion player was a profound improvement on the 'live' sound of Genesis. Any number of Hackett solos was lifted far beyond what he achieved by Daryl's playing.

I totally agree with the fact that Daryl and Chester helped improving the band's sound and performance live but the studio and their creative process is another thing entirely. I completely and absolutely disagree that Daryl lifted Steve's solos. Their playing is really apples and oranges. Steve's playing and sensibility fit perfectly to the band's aesthetic. Daryl's not at all.

Quote from StillCan'tDance

The MU, of which I am a member, encouraged their members to vote to remain in the EU because it would hurt our members who work abroad. I'd have voted to remain anyway, to be honest.

It goes well beyond a single country, party and politics I believe. It's the rise of tribalism, racism, religious intolerance, the ignorance of the flat-earthers, feces-slingers, anti vaxxers, conspiracy theorists loudmouths who seem to be taking over a bit everywhere. Perhaps, it is the fact that I've been a foreigner, in different countries, for most of my life but it is disheartening.

Quote from StillCan'tDance

Well, he likes a drink. Chester said that it took a case of Heineken to loosen him up sufficiently whilst they were doing the Curious Feeling album.

Tony is a lot less intense these days, according to Phil.

A case of Heineken would loosen up the Pope I guess. Yes, he admits himself he has grown mellower with age. Must have been a handful to deal with back in the days.

Quote from StillCan'tDance

Well, like any premier musician, Chester has his own style and feel and, in that sense, would have made a great contribution to the Genesis sound. I love Daryl's playing on the Genesis and Phil Collins stuff but his solo albums leave me absolutely cold.

Even when they became more...Let's say accesible, I 've always thought of Genesis as quintessentially British. Perhaps, not as much as when the recorded SEBTP, when they dealt directly with Britishness but still ver British. it wasn't only the lyrics, no matter how much Peter and Phil loved black music, it was always filtered through them being very English. Daryl, although a terrific player is exactly not that. His sound, playing, style, feel, even his chops,, everything about him is profoundly American, as revealed by his delivery of the FoF solo when given a bit room to do his thing. Noting wrong with that of course, I love American music, particularly black music but it's a matter of identity and to me Genesis, at least the Genesis I got on board with really didn't need a jazz-rock fusion American guitarist. Steve had to struggle to get his guitar heard and when he left they decided not to replace him, it speaks volumes on what they thought of the guitarist role in the band. Given the material they released afterwards, I fail to see what substantial contribution he could have made to the band. The same I guess he made to Phil's records which was imo not really relevant. No legendary guitar parts to speak of there. He has been around for decades and I have a lot of respect for him but I have always regarded him as a hired gun and without wanting to belittle him , I think that's what he was.

Quote from Noni

What bands has Chester been involved with as a serious player..... Just curious!!...  

Oh, I don't know: Zappa's Mothers of Invention and Weather Report, just to mention a couple every musician would dream of having on their resume. Ask Phil what he would have given to be able to play with WR, they are the reason why Brand X even exists.

Quote from StillCan'tDance

I think it would have been wonderful to have had Daryl and Chester guesting on the albums; it would cement the favourable comments that Tony, Mike and Phil have made about them throughout the years.

Chester perhaps but what would be the point when you have Phil? Daryl would make more sense but although is a fantastic player, I really don't like his sound and I don't think he is a good fit for Genesis music.

Quote from StillCan'tDance

And Tony seemed a little loose when he took the stage, too, which was nice to see.

As loose as Tony can be LOL.

Quote from Backdrifter

There seems no end to the various ways brexit is poisoning the UK and reducing it to a soulless, impoverished, embittered, unwelcoming husk.

It seems to be if not global, spreading out: Russia, Poland, Hungary, Italy, US.....

Quote from Backdrifter

I also love his drumming on Duke's Travels, the one word I keep thinking when I hear it is 'joyous'. In particular the bit that sounds like a sort of prog-rock highland reel, the drumming leaps and skips around accordingly, like an excited westie.

I agree. His drumming on Duke's Travels really is outstanding.

Quote from Noni

The 70s seem to be a crazy period in music!...... Cannot imagine Tony Banks those thIngs

When Tony was given his prog god award, back in 2015, there was an hilarious induction speech by Peter and he, amongst other things, mention their past differences over how to present themselves and while he was dressing up as flower or and STD, Tony would be very bold and move from one pastel shade to another in his sweater. Forget Wakeman's golden and silver capes …….

Quote from StillCan'tDance

By the time of the We Can't Dance tour, Abacab was eleven years old. Hardly qualifies as recent material, really.

New course album, their first, sound-wise still fresh and relevant. If it had had any good or extremely successful songs they would have played them but again, it is my opinion. I am sure Phil would have welcomed not having to sing Mama, he didn't have the voice for that song anymore. He simply couldn't leave it out. Mama like IT is a sure bet, although for different reasons.

Quote from StillCan'tDance

When putting together a set list, Genesis always prioritised the most current material and then it was simply a question of what room they had left for other songs.

True; and that generally applies to any band. They have after all an album to promote, that's generally the reason for going on the road but in the spirit and logic of prioritizing the most recent material, an album like Abacab shouldn't be left out I guess. Again though, I freely admit that while acknowledge the extreme importance of the album, I don't think much of its material so I am most likely biased

Quote from StillCan'tDance

And yet I know folk whose love for those artists rivals my own for Genesis and they would argue otherwise.

I am not disputing they have their own fans.

Quote from Dr. John

Are those who are more sensitive also more talented and destined for greater fame? Or is it that those who become more famous are subject to greater scrutiny/criticism and become more sensitive?

I think it would be extremely difficult to establish any sort of correlation and I also don't think one can claim absolute expertise. Look at athletes, some, no matter how skilled, collapse under pressure some thrive and rise to the challenge. Ultimately, I believe, it doesn't have to do with what you do but what you are made of. We are all different, we all cope with things differently and artists are no exception.

Quote from Backdrifter

I believe that the dropping of Abacab tracks was partly this, and partly their regular policy. Perfectly good tracks were ruthlessy dumped, never to be played again. Behind the Lines lasted 3 tours before they resurrected the first half in 07. Duchess, by their own judgement one of their best songs, lasted two tours, as did Ripples until its truncated revival in 07. I don't believe strong songs guaranteed escape from the brutal unsentimental approach to setlisting!

You're right Abacab didn't make the WCD tour. I gather it was tried out for the 07 tour but PC said he couldn't get behind the lyrics and it was dropped, which I thought was a shame and meant one of their most important albums wasn't represented on their farewell tour.

I personally liked M&SJ and Dodo live, not to mention their 3SL versions, that for me was Phil's finest hour vocally. I enjoyed them but I also thought they weren't here to stay. I can't exactly explain why, just a hunch. I have never thought much of Abacab, a poor song imo, partially redeemed live but I always thought there was nothing there. You listen to it the first times and appreciate the energy but it wore out its welcome pretty quickly with me. KID is definitely one of my favorites on Abacab but not so much live. MOTC is cute but again falls flat live and the others aren't imo not even worth mentioning. We can agree I guess, that the only Acabab song with a real chance to make the final cut during the 07 Tour was the title track and personally, I'd rather listen to it than say Invisible Touch but I can understand why IT is a song they cannot possibly leave out. Whatever I think of it, it is still relevant, fans generally care.

Quote from Backdrifter

I'm disappointed to hear they did that, I lose respect for any artist who doesn't have the conviction and confidence to stand by their new material.

You can't read too much into the Abacab stuff being dropped quickly, they did that with most of their new stuff. The title track hung on in there for 4 tours.

I am not disappointed but I agree with you, no artist should ever do do that, evidently, as you said, they felt some sort of gratitude towards that audience.

Selfishly, I am happy they played Super's Ready.

About Abacab material being dropped, I am obviously using the point to reinforce my opinion that, although the record was extremely important, that material wasn't very strong and didn't stand the test of time. I may be wrong ...Or not, no way of knowing it. The title track was the only one I think that lasted for a couple of tours which wouldn't disprove my point: only one song. I saw them in Vienna, I believe in 92, the WCD tour, I don't think they played any song from Abacab, not even the title track but I may be wrong.

Quote from StillCan'tDance

Such a snob

Absolutely

Quote from PhillyBoy

Yes, I can believe that the Italians would not like Abacab. They have sophisticated musical tastes with opera etc. I think they were the first country to really appreciate Genesis back in the 70s

I think Italians have always felt quite proprietorial about Genesis, unjustifiably so imo. It is true that it was the country that gave them their first break but I tend to think it was a coincidence, Genesis were simply too good it would have happened for them anyway. Again though, I think it was very nice of them to make a few changes and to be blunt Abacab material disappeared pretty quickly form their gigs anyway

Quote from StillCan'tDance

They played Supper's Ready at that show. Some people are hard to please!

They are when their taste is exquisite and they know the lads can do better.