Tony Banks - Strictly Inc (1995)

This is Tony Banks best solo album after his debut A Curious Feeling. Actually I did not expect much from this album since I never really like Wang Chung, and the colaboration between their lead singer and Banks seemed quite unlike to succeed. But it worked! After the hideous The Fugitive, the only average Bankstatement and the good, but uneven Still, it looks like Genesis keyboards player finally found a good balance between his hability to deliver great melodies and his ambition to write simpler, catchy tunes. All songs are good. Of course I don't have to praise his best latter day composition, Island In The Darkness. All the other reviewers have done that. It's a masterpiece, end of the story.

C'est le meilleur album solo de Tony Banks après son premier album A Curious Feeling. Après le hideux The Fugitive, le seul Bankstatement moyen et le bon, mais inégal Still, on dirait que le joueur de claviers de Genesis a finalement trouvé un bon équilibre entre sa capacité à délivrer de grandes mélodies et son ambition d'écrire des airs plus simples et accrocheurs. Toutes les chansons sont bonnes. Bien sûr, je n'ai pas à faire l'éloge de sa meilleure composition des derniers jours, Island In The Darkness. Tous les autres critiques l'ont fait. C'est un chef-d'œuvre, fin de l'histoire.

Tracks :

1. Don't Turn Your Back On Me (3:59) 

2. Walls Of Sound (5:07) 

3. Only Seventeen (4:57) 

4. The Serpent Said (5:28) 

5. Never Let Me Know (6:20) 

6. Charity Balls (4:38) 

7. Something To Live For (5:17) 

8. A Piece Of You (4:47) 

9. Strictly Incognito (5:05) 

10. An Island In The Darkness (17:21) 

Line-Up :

Tony Banks : keyboards (synth guitar, bass, percussion)

Jack Hues : vocals, guitar

Daryl Stuermer : guitar, guitar solo

Nathan East : bass 

John Robinson : drums

Enjoy Music :

Tony Banks - Strictly Inc (LP)

1995

Yes - Relayer (1974)

This is the only version of Relayer to have been completely remixed from the original multitrack tapes since 1974. In keeping with all the other releases in this series, Steven Wilson’s approach for new stereo mix is to faithfully retain the spirit & sounds of the original album mix, while applying modern mix techniques to bring further clarity to the individual instrument, vocal & overdubs for each track.

C'est la seule version de Relayer à avoir été complètement remixée des bandes multipistes d'origine depuis 1974. En accord avec toutes les autres sorties de cette série, l'approche de Steven Wilson pour le nouveau mixage stéréo est de conserver fidèlement l'esprit et les sons de l'album original mélanger, tout en appliquant des techniques de mixage modernes pour apporter plus de clarté à l'instrument individuel, vocal et overdubs pour chaque piste.

Tracks :

01. The Gates Of Delirium

02. Sound Chaser 

03. To Be Over

Line-Up :

Jon Anderson – Lead Vocals

Steve Howe – Guitars, Backing Vocals

Chris Squire – Bass, Backing Vocals

Patrick Moraz – Keyboards

Alan White – Drums, Percussion

Enjoy Music :

Yes - Relayer (LP)

1974

Camel - Moonmadness (1976)

With this, Camel did the impossible. They produced a follow up album to the Snow Goose which kept to very nearly the same standard and didn't follow the same pattern. It's full of dreamy keyboards, superb guitar and flute work and the whole is backed by one of the classiest rhythm sections in history. Even the vocals, often a Camel weak point, work brilliantly. 

Avec ceci, Camel a fait l'impossible. Ils ont produit un album de suivi à Snow Goose qui a gardé à peu près la même norme mais n'a pas suivi le même modèle. Il est plein de claviers rêveurs, de guitare et de flûte superbe et le tout est soutenu par l'une des sections rythmiques les plus classieuses de l'histoire. Même les voix, souvent un point faible de Camel, fonctionnent avec brio.

Tracks :

1. Aristillus (1:59) 

2. Song Within a Song (7:18)

3. Chord Change (6:48) 

4. Spirit of the Water (2:09) 

5. Another Night (7:00) 

6. Air Born (5:04) 

7. Lunar Sea (9:14)

Line-Up :

Andy Latimer : guitars, flute, recorders, vocals

Peter Bardens : keyboards, vocals

Doug Ferguson : bass, lead vocals

Andy Ward : drums, percussion, spoken voice

Enjoy Music :

Camel - Moonmadness (LP)

1976

Jon Anderson - Olias Of Sunhillow (1976)

This is Anderson's most complex and sophisticated album. It is rather floating new age, with progressive orientation. Maybe his best album too. The songs contain many floating loaded keyboards of the Vangelis style. There are also lots of string instruments, such like harp. The album, regardless keyboards, is rather acoustic. Jon Anderson's vocals are great, as always.

C'est l'album le plus complexe et sophistiqué d'Anderson. C'est plutôt dans le courant new age, avec une orientation progressive. Peut-être son meilleur album aussi. Les chansons contiennent de nombreux claviers chargés de style Vangelis. Il y a aussi beaucoup d'instruments à cordes, comme la harpe. L'album, hormis les claviers, est plutôt acoustique. Les voix de Jon Anderson sont excellentes, comme toujours.

Tracks :

1. Ocean Song (3:24)
2. Meeting (Garden Of Geda) (1:11)
3. Sound Out The Galleon (2:11)
4. Dance Of Ranyart (2:12)
5. Olias (To Build The Moorglade) (2:04)
6. Qoquaq ën Transic (2:29)
7. Naon (3:29)
8. Transic Tö (1:08)
9. Flight Of The Moorglade (3:22)
10. Solid Space (5:30)
11. Moon Ra (5:50)
12. Chords (3:07)
13. Song Of Search (3:40)
14. To The Runner (4:31)

Line-Up :

Jon Anderson: vocals, choirs, acoustic and electric guitars, mandolin, bass,
saz, harp, sitar, keyboards, percussion, flutes.

Brian Gaylor : electronics

Enjoy Music :

Jon Anderson - Olias Of Sunhillow (LP)
1976

Mike Rutherford - Smallcreep's Day (1980)

This is a great debut solo offering from Mike Rutherford. Sure it has all the flavours of Genesis like a Curious Feeling has for Tony Banks. The vocalist choice, Noel McCalla is a shrewd one because this guy can really sing and reaches those dizzy high peaks very easily. Rutherford always tended to be lumped with Tony Banks as one of the quieter ones in the band and maybe not as influential as the others. This album tells a different story. His guitar playing on this album is confident and as restained and tasteful as Gilmour or Latimer.

Ceci est une excellente première offre solo de Mike Rutherford. Bien sûr, il a toutes les saveurs de la Genesis comme pour a Curious Feeling de Tony Banks. Le choix du chanteur, Noel McCalla est astucieux car ce type peut vraiment chanter et atteindre très facilement de hauts sommets vertigineux. Rutherford a toujours eu tendance à être considéré avec Tony Banks comme l'un des plus silencieux du groupe et peut-être pas aussi influent que les autres. Cet album raconte une histoire différente. Son jeu de guitare sur cet album est confiant et aussi maitrisé et de bon goût que ceux de Gilmour ou Latimer.

Tracks :

1. I Between The Tick And The Tock (3:57) 

2. II Working In Line (3:11) 

3. III After Hours (1:42) 

4. IV Cats And Rats (In The Neighbourhood) (4:47) 

5. V Smallcreep Alone (1:31) 

6. VI Cut Into The Daylight (3:52) 

7. VII At The End Of The Day (5:37) 

8. Moonshine (6:26) 

9. Time And Time Again (4:53) 

10. Romani (5:22) 

11. Every Road (4:12) 

12. Overnight Job (5:44) 

Line-up :

Mike Rutherford : guitars, basses

Noel McCalla : vocals

Anthony Phillips : keyboards

Simon Phillips : drums

Morris Pert : percussion

Enjoy Music :

Mike Rutherford - Smallcreep's Day (LP)

1980

Steve Hackett - Voyage Of The Acolyte (1975)

This wonderful record (Hackett's first solo outing) is absolutely essential listening for fans of classic Genesis. In fact, then Genesis band mates Phil Collins and Mike Rutherford assist on the album, with Phil providing vocals for the standout "Star of Sirius" (the best Genesis song that Genesis never recorded).

The album is loosely organized around the theme of the Tarot (the awesome and frenetic opening track, "Ace of Wands," is named for a Tarot card, as are other tracks), one of Hackett's interests at the time.

Ce disque merveilleux (première sortie solo de Hackett) est absolument essentiel pour les fans du Genesis des débuts. En fait, Phil Collins et Mike Rutherford, membres de Genesis, assistent à l'album, avec Phil pour le chant de "Star of Sirius" (la meilleure chanson de Genesis jamais enregistrée par Genesis).
L'album est vaguement organisé autour du thème du Tarot (la piste d'ouverture géniale et frénétique, "Ace of Wands", est le nom d'une carte de Tarot, comme d'autres titres), l'un des intérêts de Hackett à l'époque.

Tracks :

1. Ace Of Wands (5:23)

2. Hands Of The Priestess Part I (3:28)

3. A Tower Struck Down (4:53)

4. Hands Of The Priestess Part II (1:31)

5. The Hermit (4:49)

6. Star Of Sirius (7:08)

7. The Lovers (1:50)

8. Shadow Of The Hierophant (11:44)

Line-Up :

Steve Hackett : electric & acoustic guitar, Mellotron, harmonium, bells, autoharp, vocals, effects, arrangements & co-producer

Sally Oldfield : vocals

John Acock : Elka Rhapsody synthesizer, Mellotron, harmonium, piano, co-producer

Mike Rutherford : bass & bass pedals, fuzz 12-string guitar

Percy Jones : bass

Johnny Gustafson : bass

Phil Collins : drums, vibes, percussion, vocals

John Hackett : flute, ARP synthetizer, bells

Robin Miller : oboe, cor anglais

Nigel Warren-Green : cello

Enjoy Music :

Steve Hackett - Voyage Of The Acolyte (LP)

1975

Anthony Phillips - Wise After The Event (1978)

Second album by the former Genesis guitarist. Unlike "The Geese & the Ghost", no Genesis members are present (Phil Collins, Mike Rutherford), probably because they were likely busy working on "...And Then There Were Three". "Wise After the Event"  is however stuffed with familiar musicians. 

Deuxième album de l'ancien guitariste de Genesis. Contrairement à "The Geese & the Ghost", aucun membre de Genesis n'est présent (Phil Collins, Mike Rutherford), probablement parce qu'ils étaient probablement occupés à travailler sur "...And Then There Were Three". "Wise After the Event" est cependant bourré de musiciens familiers.

Tracks :

1. We're All As We Lie (4:34) 

2. Birdsong (7:30) 

3. Moonshooter (5:52) 

4. Wise After The Event (8:45) 

5. Pulling Faces (4:32) 

6. Regrets (5:15) 

7. Greenhouse (3:00) 

8. Paperchase (5:28) 

9. Now What (Are They Doing To My Little Friends)? (8:30) 

Line- Up :

Anthony Phillips : vocals, guitars, keyboards, bass, harmonica, orchestral arrangements

Perkin Alanbeck : synthesizer

Jeremy Gilbert : keyboards, harp 

Mel Collins : soprano sax, flute

Robin Phillips : oboe

John G.Perry : bass

Michael Giles : drums

Rupert Hine : percussion, drums, backing vocals, producer

Gilbert Biberian : orchestra conductor

David Katz : orchestra leader 

Anthony Phillips - Sides (1979)

This album comes after the wonderful "Wise After The Event". The first side contains short songs with lead vocals, which are not bad but are definitely less sophisticated and subtle than on the previous album. The second side is pretty more interesting: songs are longer, more progressive and more instrumental: there are very good fast drums, very good fast bass, very good electric guitars, and the keyboards are all played by Anthony Phillips himself.

Cet album vient après le merveilleux "Wise After The Event". La première partie contient des chansons courtes avec des voix lead, qui ne sont pas mauvaises mais qui sont nettement moins sophistiquées et subtiles que sur l'album précédent. Le deuxième côté est plutôt intéressant: les chansons sont plus longues, plus progressives et plus instrumentales: il y a de très bonnes batteries rapides, de très bonnes basses rapides, de très bonnes guitares électriques, et les claviers sont tous joués par Anthony Phillips lui-même.

Tracks :

1. Um & Aargh (4:51) 

2. I Want Your Love (3:55) 

3. Lucy Will (4:05) 

4. Side Door (3:24) 

5. Holy Deadlock (3:48) 

6. Sisters Of Remindum (4:29) 

7. Bleak House (6:14) 

8. Magdalen (7:39) 

9. Nightmare (7:24) 

Line-Up :

Anthony Phillips : vocal, guitars, keyboards, cello, bass 

Dale Newman : lead vocals

Dan Owen : lead vocals

Mel Collins: tenor sax

John Hackett : flute

John G. Perry : bass

Michael Giles : drums

Rupert Hine : percussion, cor anglais

Frank Ricotti : timpani

Ray Cooper : percussion

Morris Pert : congas