Phil Collins left
Genesis following the
We Can't Dance
tour and many observers expected Tony Banks and Michael
Rutherford to finally call it a day. They decided to persevere instead,
hiring former Stiltskin vocalist
Ray Wilson to
replace Collins.
Given that Stiltskin was a
European neo-prog band, it isn't a total surprise that Genesis returned to
their art rock roots on Calling All
Stations, their first album with Wilson. The music on Calling All
Stations is long, dense, and lugubrious, but it's given the same immaculate,
pristine production that was the hallmark of their adult contemporary work with
Collins. It wants to
be an art rock album, but not at the expense of losing the pop audience -- which
makes it all the stranger that the group doesn't really write pop songs
on Calling
All Stations. That may be because Wilson's voice isn't
suited for pop, but works well with languid, synthesized prog settings. But even
ponderous prog rock has to have musical themes worth exploring, and on that
level, Genesis come
up dry on Calling All
Stations.
Released
1 September 1997
Recorded
January–June 1997 at The Farm, Surrey
Length
1:07:42
Label
Virgin
(UK)Atlantic
(US)
Producer
Nick Davis, Tony Banks
and Mike Rutherford
--------------------------------------
By seamonkey (Southfield, MI, USA)
--------------------------------------
By seamonkey (Southfield, MI, USA)
Why inspiring? because this is a band that never quits. First they lost what many believed to be the core of Genesis and that was Peter Gabriel, they replace him with Phil Collins and although the music changed they continue to make great music. 2 albums later Steve Hackett leaves and then later Phil retires from the band but Tony and Mike decide they enjoy making writing together so they audition Ray Wilson and give him the job.
Of course Ray can't replace Phil anymore than Phil could Peter so one has to step "outside" of the Genesis box and listen to it as a total different entity. If one can do this it's easy to enjoy the cd for what it is, an excellent pop/prog album.
I had the privelege to see Genesis perform with Peter for the Selling England by the Pound tour so I have been with them from early in their career. I find it sad people can't accept change, I have always enjoyed Genesis whether they're playing Fading Lights or The Royal Hogweed.
I've enjoyed CAS since I first purchased it and now to have it in 5.1 surround sound is even more enjoyable to listen to.
The DVD interview gives us an insight into their thought process following Phil's departure and the recording of CAS with Ray. They both commented they knew he was the guy from the moment he started audtioning No Son of Mine.
I think Ray has a great voice and it fits in well with Genesis songs, in fact there are times he hits tones which are very reminiscent of Peter(the Dividing Line) however there are very few times he sounds like Phil.
There are 3 songs on the DVD which are live, 1 is the song Calling All Stations and then there are two from Polish TV which are from a longer concert they did.
It's a wonderful treat to see them perform live with Ray as their singer and Nik Zidyahu on drums. Nik's drumming is awesome and adds freshness to the music so does the guitarist who performs with them, at times he and Mike play against one another which is fun and great to listen to.
I think the Polish concert video is worth the price of the cd itself, why they didn't give us the rest of the songs is beyond me, it's a fantastic concert and shows Genesis playing with in my opinion new and fresh energy.
If you've always loved Genesis but passed on this because Phil isn't on it, try to get past it and think of this as a new group with a similarity to Genesis. Just enjoy the music and forget about who's on it.
Of course Ray can't replace Phil anymore than Phil could Peter so one has to step "outside" of the Genesis box and listen to it as a total different entity. If one can do this it's easy to enjoy the cd for what it is, an excellent pop/prog album.
I had the privelege to see Genesis perform with Peter for the Selling England by the Pound tour so I have been with them from early in their career. I find it sad people can't accept change, I have always enjoyed Genesis whether they're playing Fading Lights or The Royal Hogweed.
I've enjoyed CAS since I first purchased it and now to have it in 5.1 surround sound is even more enjoyable to listen to.
The DVD interview gives us an insight into their thought process following Phil's departure and the recording of CAS with Ray. They both commented they knew he was the guy from the moment he started audtioning No Son of Mine.
I think Ray has a great voice and it fits in well with Genesis songs, in fact there are times he hits tones which are very reminiscent of Peter(the Dividing Line) however there are very few times he sounds like Phil.
There are 3 songs on the DVD which are live, 1 is the song Calling All Stations and then there are two from Polish TV which are from a longer concert they did.
It's a wonderful treat to see them perform live with Ray as their singer and Nik Zidyahu on drums. Nik's drumming is awesome and adds freshness to the music so does the guitarist who performs with them, at times he and Mike play against one another which is fun and great to listen to.
I think the Polish concert video is worth the price of the cd itself, why they didn't give us the rest of the songs is beyond me, it's a fantastic concert and shows Genesis playing with in my opinion new and fresh energy.
If you've always loved Genesis but passed on this because Phil isn't on it, try to get past it and think of this as a new group with a similarity to Genesis. Just enjoy the music and forget about who's on it.
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