Genesis Reunion Tour a Time to Celebrate... Phil Collins
Monday April 9, 2007
I've never quite understood the venomous loathing some Genesis fans and rock music fans in general have always leveled at Phil Collins, the man behind that band's most commercially successful period. But of course that's probably because I've never been interested in the least in the weird, quirky, dense and obscure art rock of the Peter Gabriel-led, '70s version of Genesis.So, with apologies to the other camp, this summer's reunion tour featuring the band's core '80s lineup of Collins, Mike Rutherford and Tony Banks seems to me to be one of rock's most exciting nostalgia tours of the past few years. After all, it's been more than 15 years since the three have toured together as Genesis, and the fact is that much of the music they made together during the '80s almost empirically stands among the most pleasurably melodic offerings of the decade. If you're not convinced, please take a few moments to peruse my lists of the most essential '80s output from both Genesis and Collins' concurrent solo career.
Album Cover Photo Courtesy of Virgin Records
Comments
I hear and agree. I have been interested in the weird, quirky and sublime music from the Gabriel era, the edgy and expansive middle days when Collins starting singing, and SOME of the later period stuff.
For me, Collins is a consummate pro, a great and really distinctive drummer, a guy who’s taken a shot at everything you can do in the biz and usually done something fine with it, and a rock star with little attitude. He’s been absurly popular and absurdly unpopular, which reflects the psychology of the public more than it does about him.
The rest is a matter of taste. I like pop, I like prog, and I like fusion. Just keep it honest, and I think Phil’s done that. The rest is tabloid chatter.
How can someone play the Lamb lies down,trick of the trail and Brand x and then I cant dance or hullo I must be going.Does he need the money ?
I think Phil Collins writes and sings from his heart and his soul, and I prefer that to word play and intricate but colder music. I love Peter Gabriel, but Phil Collins has a human-ness that touches me in a way no other musician ever has. I’m seeing Genesis next month and I can’t wait.