Anthony Phillips - The Geese and The Ghost (1977)

First Genesis guitarist record solo, The Geese & The Ghost is a must progressive folk. The Anthony Phillips album is in all respects a reflection of his wallet: bucolic, country setting, medieval (all this inevitably recall the Genesis Trespass), but also soft and relaxing and very folk. Classical guitars, acoustic 6 & 12 string are honored and found what was partly the magic of Trespass seven years earlier, namely duets with Mike Rutherford. Difficult to know who does what, especially since it is often a multitude of rubbed stringed instruments, which makes the richness of the whole. So in addition, when it is mixed with other strings, classical this time, or even with woods (John flute, oboe Rob, brother of Anthony) as the long series 'The Geese and the Ghost', the result is simply the most wonderful.

Premier enregistrement solo d'Anthony Phillips, guitariste de Genesis, The Geese & The Ghost est un must du folk progressif. L'album est en tous points le reflet de sa pochette : bucolique, champêtre, moyenâgeux (tout ceci rappellera forcément le Genesis de Trespass), mais aussi doux et reposant et surtout très folk. Les guitares classiques, acoustiques 6 & 12 cordes sont à l'honneur et l'on retrouve ce qui faisait en partie la magie de Trespass sept ans plus tôt, à savoir les duos avec Mike Rutherford. Difficile de savoir qui fait quoi, d'autant plus qu'il y a souvent une multitude d'instruments à cordes frottés, ce qui fait la richesse de l'ensemble. Alors en plus, quand cela est mélangé à d'autres cordes, classiques cette fois, ou même avec des bois (la flûte de John, le hautbois de Rob, frère d'Anthony) comme sur la longue suite 'The Geese and the Ghost', le résultat est tout simplement des plus merveilleux.

Tracks :

CD - 1

01 - Wind - Tales 00:01

02 - Which Way The Wind Blows 01:04

03 - Henry; Portraits From Tudor Times 06:56

I - Fanfare

II - Lutes' Chorus

III - Misty Battlements

IV - Henry Goes to War

V - Death of a Knight

VI - Triumphant Return

04 - God if I Saw Her Now 20:59

05 - Chinese Mushroom Cloud 25:14

06 - The Geese and the Ghost26:00

Part I°

Part II°

07 - Collections41:51

08 - Sleepfall: The Geese Hy West 44:59

CD - 2

01 - Master of Time ( Demo ) 52:36

02 - Title Inspiration 

03 - The Geese and the Ghost - Part one ( basic track ) 

04 - Collection Link 

05 - Which Way the Wind Blows 

06 - Silver Song ( basic track ) 

07 - Henry: Portraits From Tudor Times ( basic track ) 

I - Fanfare , II - Lute's Chorus , III - Lute's Chorus Reprise , IV - Misty Battlements

08 - Collections ( demo ) 

09 - The Geese & The Ghost - Part Two ( basic track ) 

10 - God If I Saw Her Now ( basic track )  

11 - Sleepfall ( basic track ) 

12 - Silver Song ( Unreleased single version, 1973 ) 

Line-Up :

Anthony Phillips: acoustic 12-string, 6-string, classical guitar, electric6 and 12-string guitars, basses, dulcimer guitar, bazouki,synthesizers, mellotron, harmonium, piano, organ, celeste, pin piano,drums, glockenspeil, timbales, bells and chimes, gong, vocal on"Collections"

Phil Collins: vocals on "Which Way The Wind Blows" and "God If I Saw HerNow"

John Hackett: flutes on "God If I Saw Her Now", "Collections" and "Sleepfall : The Geese Fly West"

Nick Hayley : violins on "The Geese And The Ghost"

Jack Lancaster : flutes and lyricon on "Sleepfall : The Geese Fly West"

Charlie Martin: cello on "Chinese Mushroom Cloud" and "The Geese And TheGhost"

Viv McCauliffe: vocals on "God If I Saw Her Now"

Lazo Mumolovich: oboes and cor anglais on "Henry - Portraits From TudorTimes" and "The Geese And The Ghost"

Tom Newman: hecklephone and bulk eraser on track 9

Rob Phillips: oboes on "The Geese And The Ghost" and "Sleepfall : The GeeseFly West"

Michael Rutherford: acoustic 12-string, 6-string, classical guitars, electric 6 and 12-string guitars, basses, organ, drums, timbales, glockenspeil, cymbals, bells

Wil Sleath: flute, baroque flute, recorders and piccolo on "Henry -Portraits From Tudor Times"

Kirk Trevor: cello on "Chinese Mushroom Cloud" and "The Geese And TheGhost"

Martin Westlake : timpani on "Henry - Portraits From Tudor Times", "ChineseMushroom Cloud" and "The Geese And The Ghost"

Send Barns Orchestra and Barge Rabble conducted by Jeremy Gilbert. Ralph

Bernascone : soloist.

Anthony Phillips - The Geese and The Ghost (LP)

1977