Rando Ken's Album Reviews
The Geese and the Ghost is the frontier and pioneering piece of Anthony Phillips' long and adventurous solo career. The album is not for everyone; it is reasonable that some people would dismiss the album and some of Anthony's other efforts for being just as pastoral and archaic as the albums he was on, From Genesis to Revelation and Trespass. But in comparison to those albums, Anthony Phillips' role and musical skill are identified and recognizable - the two having obscured his efforts through poor production and featuring no major contributions. Here, Anthony is free to express his own musical ideology, only restricted by his uncompromising association with Mike Rutherford. As Genesis grew more popular, it was harder to complete the album and by the time it was released, the band had lived through its progressive era, on the verge of producing And Then There Were Three and Collins' other pop efforts. The album was released in a time of changing musical identities and dismissed; whatever was left of progressive rock at the time only permitted the album to just enter the Billboard 200. Hardly anyone would know this album if Anthony wasn't in Genesis.
The album is plausibly Anthony's best known, given the two songs Which Way The Wind Blows and God If I Saw Her Now. Both of these songs feature Phil Collins - unusual considering Phil joined Genesis after Anthony left - which certifies their reputation as the most listened to tracks on the album. Collins' voice closely resembles his own on Genesis' A Trick of the Tail, in my opinion, the best album of his tenure as frontman. While these tracks are brilliant, people need to investigate the rest of the album and appreciate Anthony's unique gift, given they are willing to investigate. The album contains two lengthy instrumental passages, Henry: Portraits from Tudor Times and the title track. The album shows Anthony's ability to reflect his group's sound and intonations, even with its distance. The creativity and efforts embedded with the record makes the album more admirable and overall listenable than Tony Banks or Mike Rutherford.
The album is a well-made vessel for those seeking to listen to the solo efforts of Genesis fans, besides Peter Gabriel or Phil Collins. While the album's sound is mostly acoustic and never as intense as Genesis ever been after Trespass, the album is thoroughly enjoyable given respect and is worth exploring for the inquisitive listener. The album is currently available in a special edition courtesy Esoteric Recordings that includes many instrumental demos and an aborted single from 1973, Silver Song, that will deliver more for thunderous Collins enthusiasts.
The album is plausibly Anthony's best known, given the two songs Which Way The Wind Blows and God If I Saw Her Now. Both of these songs feature Phil Collins - unusual considering Phil joined Genesis after Anthony left - which certifies their reputation as the most listened to tracks on the album. Collins' voice closely resembles his own on Genesis' A Trick of the Tail, in my opinion, the best album of his tenure as frontman. While these tracks are brilliant, people need to investigate the rest of the album and appreciate Anthony's unique gift, given they are willing to investigate. The album contains two lengthy instrumental passages, Henry: Portraits from Tudor Times and the title track. The album shows Anthony's ability to reflect his group's sound and intonations, even with its distance. The creativity and efforts embedded with the record makes the album more admirable and overall listenable than Tony Banks or Mike Rutherford.
The album is a well-made vessel for those seeking to listen to the solo efforts of Genesis fans, besides Peter Gabriel or Phil Collins. While the album's sound is mostly acoustic and never as intense as Genesis ever been after Trespass, the album is thoroughly enjoyable given respect and is worth exploring for the inquisitive listener. The album is currently available in a special edition courtesy Esoteric Recordings that includes many instrumental demos and an aborted single from 1973, Silver Song, that will deliver more for thunderous Collins enthusiasts.
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