Pleasant pastoral music from original Genesis lead guitarist
woburnmusicfan | Woburn, MA United States | 04/09/2003
(3 out of 5 stars)
"This is NOT a rock album, and it's not an album for everyone. This first album (1977) by Anthony Phillips, the original lead guitarist for Genesis, is made up of pastoral, melancholy, and often timeless sounding music. The CD cover matches the mood of the music. A drum kit appears for maybe a minute out of "The Geese and the Ghost-Part ii" and that's it, and there are no real guitar solos. The album is all about texture and mood. Phillips gets good support from former bandmate Michael Rutherford--their dual 12-string playing on the title track is reminiscent of the "Trespass" album. Phil Collins comes along to sing lead vocals on two tracks ("God if I Saw Her Now" is especially lovely), and Steve Hackett's kid brother John plays flute on three cuts. The album's centerpieces are two extended instrumentals: the 15-minute title track and 12-minute "Henry: Portraits from Tudor Times". Both include some memorable themes but also a lot of segments that are mood pieces. Phillips has produced a long series of albums called "Private Parts and Pieces" (I stopped buying at #6) that are strictly mood pieces. This CD is a cut above those, but you shouldn't buy it unless you like quiet, reflective music. This is my second favorite Phillips album after "Wise After the Event"; "Geese" has the advantage of still being in print. This is a 3-1/2 star album.(1=poor 2=mediocre 3=pretty good 4=very good 5=phenomenal)"
"Geese/Ghost" is an essential Prog masterpiece
David Hugaert | Honolulu, HI United States | 05/05/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"After departing from Genesis almost seven years earlier in 1970, Anthony Phillips released his first solo record, "The Geese and the Ghost, in 1977, although Phillips wasn't the first member of the band to release a solo album (that honor goes to Steve Hackett, who beat Phillips to the punch, by releasing "Voyage of the Acolyte", in 1975). Upon the initial listening of "TG&TG", it would appear the lengthy "sabbatical" Phillips took would cause his musical skills to suffer from a case of "rustitis", but that's far from the truth. On the contrary, the lengthy absence helped him mature his craft, making "Geese..." perhaps one of the most underrated works in all of progressive rock. In practical hindsight, this is a work rich in progressive undertones, with classical influences dominating most of the selections. One listen to the title suites: "The Geese and the Ghost, Parts 1 & 2", will confirm this fact. Joining Phillips on this breathtaking journey, are Genesis mates Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins, whose vocal performances on "Which Way The Wind Blows?" and on "God If I Saw Her Now" are among the best of his career. Speaking of another above-mentioned (ex)-Genesis member, Steve Hackett, whose brother John makes an important contribution to "TG&TG" on flute. Another breathtaking contribution worthy of mention, is Anthony Phillips' vocal performance on another of the few vocal tracks, that being the melancholic "Collections", including the bonus track that closes the CD, the acoustic-driven "Master of Time (Demo Version)". Including the Genesis and solo albums "Wind & Wuthering" and Mike Rutherford's 1980 release "Smallcreep's Day" (on which Phillips guests), "The Geese and the Ghost" is the last true progressive masterwork on which both Collins and Rutherford would have the pleasure of recording before they (along with Tony Banks) would take Genesis in a different musical direction, and not 100% for the better on future releases - 1978's "...And Then There Were Three..." notwithstanding. Since "Geese..." is such a lush and complex work of art, it may take a few listens to grasp all its eccentricities. Catch this "Geese" (or "Goose") soon, before it migrates south, permanently! Oh, and this particular one is THE perfect companion with Steve Hackett's "Spectral Mornings", making both titles as must-haves for your Genesis library."
ArtRock at its best
Gerry G | Mexico City, Mexico | 07/04/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a piece of art. Maybe not in the sense of a big Beethoven opus or a great Coltrane recording, but in a sense of a great statement of ArtRock from a unique craftsman. Progressive music has been underrated during the last two dacades, but its artistry and imagination somehow trascends generations and reflects a spiritual and artistic urge to tell stories with musical color and imagination. Many Progressive albums are timeless and the work that made them real mirrors an impecable and focused search for creation. The Geese and the Ghost is Anthony Phillips first album since he departed from Genesis. From the first chords of a "Wind-Tales" you get a hint of how important was Phillips contribution to the sound and concept of Genesis. "Which Way the Wind Blows" is a beautiful ballad with guest vocals from Phil Collins. With Mike Rutherfords presence the album breaths an atmosphere of celestial heights. "Henry: Portraits from Tudor Times/Fanfare" is a masterpiece epic of ArtRock with great woodwind ensembles and visionary landscapes. Also a masterpiece is the cut that gives the album its title, "The Geese and the Ghost", a true flight into ancient worlds of fantasy. All the cuts make this album worth listening. Even more its a jewel for every Rock collection. If you are an enthusiast of groups such as Gryphon, King Crimson, Yes, PFM, Renaissance or any other Progressive relic, you will not regret getting this album. Satisfaction guaranteed.1. Wind-Tales 2. Which Way the Wind Blows 3. Henry: Portraits from Tudor Times/Fanfare 4. Lutes' Chorus 5. Misty Battlements 6. Henry Goes to War 7. Death of a Knight 8. Triumphant Return 9. God If I Saw Her Now 10. Chinese Mushroom Cloud 11. The Geese and the Ghost, Pt. 1 12. The Geese and the Ghost, Pt. 2 13. Collections 14. Sleepfall: The Geese Fly West 15. Master of Time [*]"
THE BEST AUDIO VERSION OF THE BEST ANTHONY PHILLIPS ALBUM
BOB | LOS ANGELES, CA | 12/08/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This new 2007 Japan 2CD mini-sleeve remaster is not only the best-sounding version of this classic album, but the included 12-track 2nd CD contains outtakes, non-album and demo tracks.
All wrapped up, of course, in an exact replica of the original LP album cover with the wonderful, evocative art. The 2nd CD comes in a separate sleeve.
Track list for CD2:
1.) Master Of Time
2.) Title Inspiration
3.) The Geese And The Ghost - Part One BASIC TRACK
4.) Collections Link
5.) Which Way The Wind Blows BASIC TRACK
6.) Silver Song BASIC TRACK
7.) Henry: Portraits From Tudor Times BASIC TRACK
8.) Collections DEMO
9.) The Geese And The Ghost - Part Two BASIC TRACK
10.) God If I Saw Her Now BASIC TRACK
11.) Sleepfall BASIC TRACK
12.) Silver Song PHIL COLLINS VERSION
WHAT IS A JAPAN "MINI-LP-SLEEVE" CD?
Have you ever lamented the loss of one of the 20th Century's great art forms, the 12" vinyl LP jacket? Then "mini-LP-sleeve" CD's may be for you.
Mini-sleeve CDs are manufactured in Japan under license. The disc is packaged inside a 135MM X 135MM cardboard precision-miniature replica of the original classic vinyl-LP album. Also, anything contained in the original LP, such as gatefolds, booklets, lyric sheets, posters, printed LP sleeves, stickers, embosses, special LP cover paper/inks/textures and/or die cuts, are precisely replicated and included. An English-language lyric sheet is always included, even if the original LP did not have printed lyrics.
Then, there's the sonic quality: Often (but not always), mini-sleeves have dedicated remastering (20-Bit, 24-Bit, DSD, K2/K2HD, and/or HDCD), and can often (but not always) be superior to the audio on the same title anywhere else in the world. There also may be bonus tracks unavailable elsewhere.
Each Japan mini-sleeve has an "obi" ("oh-bee"), a removable Japan-language promotional strip. The obi lists the Japan street date of that particular release, the catalog number, the mastering info, and often the original album's release date. Bonus tracks are only listed on the obi, maintaining the integrity of the original LP artwork. The obi's are collectable, and should not be discarded.
All mini-sleeve releases are limited edition, but re-pressings/re-issues are becoming more common (again, not always). The enthusiasm of mini-sleeve collecting must be tempered, however, with avoiding fake mini-sleeves manufactured in Russia and distributed throughout the world, primarily on eBay. They are inferior in quality, worthless in collectable value, a total waste of money, and should be avoided at all costs."
A Beautiful Debut For Original Genesis Guitarist
Alan Caylow | USA | 06/15/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"After recording two albums with Genesis, 1969's "From Genesis To Revelation" and 1970's "Trespass," guitarist Anthony Phillips left the band (mostly due to poor health and a self-admitted bout with stage-fright), and he spent the next few years studying music (including his newfound love for classical), and greatly expanding his musical skills. With a little help from his Genesis guitarist mate Mike Rutherford (as well as singer/drummer Phil Collins, whom Phillips had never worked with in the band), Phillips finally returned to recording in 1977 with his debut solo album, "The Geese And The Ghost." Quite simply, this album is a beautiful work of art, a gorgeous tapestry of mostly-instrumental classical and progressive music. You can't really label this album progressive "rock"---there's no actual "rock" music on it---but it's definitely progressive, and it is truly beautiful stuff. "Geese" is definitive proof that Anthony's immediate years after Genesis studying & strengthening his musical gifts were very well spent indeed. Just look at this partial list of instruments that Phillips *alone* brilliantly plays here: Acoustic & electric 12-string and 6-string guitars, classical guitar, synthesisers, mellotron, harmonium, piano, organ, drums, glockenspeil, and bells & chimes. Need I say more? Rutherford also plays a wide variety of instruments on the album, and although Phil Collins doesn't drum on "Geese," he lends his distinctive voice to two very lovely songs, "Which Way The Wind Blows" and "God If I Saw Her Now" (the latter co-sung with Viv McCauliffe). I must also mention the instrumental masterpieces that are "Henry: Portraits From Tudor Times" and the two-part title track, with both pieces being very haunting, dramatic, and unforgettable. Anthony's composing & playing skills are world-class, and I'm astounded that his solo albums haven't gotten more attention. But he *does* have more solo releases than any other Genesis member---over 25 and counting---so good for him! And good for you, too. Anthony Phillips is a genius, his music nothing less than outstanding. "The Geese And The Ghost" is a fantastic first chapter in Anthony Phillips' vastly impressive solo career. A truly exquisite album."
Track Listings (8) - Disc #1