WISE AFTER THE EVENT

Following a promotional tour through several US radio stations, Phillips moved on with the writing and recording process of the ''The Geese & the Ghost'' follow up.His second solo album was produced by Rupert Hine (who also participated in the work) and featured some great guest musicians such as Michael Giles and Mel Collins of King Crimson fame or ex-Caravan John G.Perry on bass.It was entitled ''Wise After the Event'', eventually released in May 78', originally on Arista label for the UK market.

While the new album holds plenty of similarities with Phillips' debut, simultaneously it sees also a turn of the former Genesis mastermind towards more British Folk-oriented orchestrations with limited electric parts and big time acoustic passages from start to the end.However the sound in another Phillips album remains dramatic yet elegant with very rich orchestrations and strong backup instrumentation.His smooth vocals remain definitely a trademark of his musical identity and the music still unfolds a strong GENESIS flavor, as the listener can find huge amounts of piano interludes, dreamy moog synth parts and lovely light symphonic textures throughout.Next to them there is also a strong psychedelic feeling in the vein of PINK FLOYD, as on the long eponymous track, featuring Phillips' incredible singing parts, or the sweet THE BEATLES-influenced ballad ''Greenhouse''.Some tracks lean also towards Orchestral Rock stylings in a late-60's/early-70's style with extended string sections as performed by THE MOODY BLUES or PROCOL HARUM.

Soft Progressive/Art/Folk Rock with impressive lyrical moments is what Phillips chose to perform in ''Wise After the Event'' and, while the album does not match the great inspiration of its precussor, this is still a very nice work of lyrical Art Rock.Strongly recommended, this man was definitely talented and way overlooked back at the time...3.5 stars.