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Genesis, Selling England by the Pound, The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, Ramones, Mr Mercedes, Rick Rubin, Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins, Steve Hackett, Bowie, Elton John, Brian Eno
Welcome to Episode 15.
Mick and P. have moved to Byron Bay, where they are social distancing while trying out the local supply of avocadoes.
Mick, 's been listening to the soundtrack of “Mr. Mercedes”, produced by Stephen King, who's big on music! Mick finds it hilarious that a song about one King story - The Ramones' “Pet Sematary” - is featured in a soundtrack for another. Also featuring songs by Radiohead, REM, Black Keys, Leonard Cohen, Jackson Browne, Randy Newman, Pixies
The Phatman has been watching "McCartney 321" with Rick Rubin, one of the great record producers, and one we've previously covered in a couple of episodes. Paul talks about "Sgt Pepper" and how Jimi Hendrix paid the ultimate compliment to The Beatles by performing the title track live in London, a few days after its release.
This week, we'll talk about how great a band Genesis was before they splintered after "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" in the mid-70's.
Genesis – a 70’s band generally classified as “progressive” - have been described b6y Jon Michaud, in The New Yorker as “Peter Gabriel dressed in a flower costume while singing ten- and twenty-minute songs that sounded like excerpts from Gilbert and Sullivan operas as reimagined by Lewis Carroll” .
We talk about their progression from a group of private school boys into one of the most highly-regarded bands of all time, with an extraordinary degree of virtuoso skill across the board.
In particular, we talk about two albums, Selling England by the Pound, and The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway.
One song we both love is “Firth of Fifth”, a wonderful ensemble piece. Over 9 minutes long, with fluid guitar, delicate piano & synth parts, flute & vocal pieces, underpinned by a strong rhythm section in Phil Collins and Mike Rutherford, it's regarded by many to be the finest single work by Genesis!
The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway is often regarded by Genesis fans as their best complete work. A concept album, it's an immersive piece with a complex story featuring a load of mythical elements. Unlike their earlier albums, this album was specially targeted at the US, with very many American cultural references, inspired by a 200-date tour they did to support Selling England by the Pound.
We talk about the origins of the "gated/distance mic" technique, used on Phil Collins' "In The Air Tonight", Bowie's "Heroes", and some of Peter Gabriel's most successful solo work.
With both Genesis and guitarist Steve Hackett mounting tours featuring the music from Genesis' early period, it's a great time to discover (or remember!) some of the finest music you'll ever encounter.
For your listening:
"Pet Sematary" - The Ramones - from Mr Mercedes
Genesis PlayList
Egg
Steve Hackett Firth of Fifth
Sledgehammer - Peter Gabriel (awesome film clip)
