The writing style of Genesis (classic lineup)

The actual style of writing in Genesis..as a whole, came from Tony Banks. The actual sound ..which were the chord voicings ..was an idea he came up with based on a more melodic Classical approach. He played guitar in the early days and between guitar and keyboards , I believe he came up with the original concept of the Genesis writing. Anthony Phillips and Steve Hackett seemed to produce and repeat the same voicings on original Classical guitar pieces, distorted guitar lines..which were sometimes in the vain of Fripp's playing. But after Anthony Phillips study of piano, what he was producing on Geese and the Ghost and the Private Parts and Pieces series...was very reminiscent of Tony Banks' composition on keyboards. So ..Banks' formula or style was repeated. On Spectral Mornings and other Hackett albums which followed...keyboard parts were in the Banks mode. They were more simplistic ..but many chord voicings were the same. Tony Banks idea of overall sound was then repeated again. Hackett, Phillips, + Rutherford definitely contributed ideas to Banks' writing , however Banks would not allow anyone's writing ideas into a song if it changed an overall sound/affect on the style of the band. If you listen closely to the compositions of Hackett and Phillips...and perhaps the pieces they had written and were rejected by Banks, you might have a clearer understanding. It sounds Genesis structured , but not so fitting for Classic Genesis albums which most people admire. It's more of an ambient approach to Genesis or a "dark" style that crosses more into the world of Bob Fripp. It's Genesis "off-shoot" material.

I'm watching the Nursery Cryme Documenary right now.

The.Crimson.King wrote: geneyesontle wrote: My Guessing on Nursery Cryme: 4. Seven Stones (Peter Gabriel). It sounds a lot like King Crimson, which Gabriel said was very influenced.  I'd give Banks a big credit for the music on this one.  Any song where the organ is the musical foundation just screams Banks to me

Ok. the other guy that NotAProghead suggested me said so.

Since the guy that NotAProghead suggested me already guessed the Nursery Cryme, Foxtrot and Selling England By The Pound albums, I'm going with another guessing,
The Guessing Of The Lamb, part 1:
1. The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway: (lyrics: Gabriel/music: Banks, Rutherford). The piano introduction and the middle part that reappeared in the Carpet Crawlers are very Tony-esque, but the basis of the song sounds like a much better version of Man of Our Times, which was a song that Mike wrote.
2. Fly On A Windshield: (lyrics: Gabriel/music: Hackett, Collins). Steve Hackett loved this song, and there's a guitar solo and powerful drumming from Phil. It's very melodic, like many of Steve's songs.
3. Broadway Melody of 1974: (lyrics: Gabriel/music: Rutherford, Hackett, Banks). The first minute and a half sounds like Rutherford and the last thirty seconds sounds like Banks and Hackett finding chords the best way they could in an ambient way.
4. Cuckoo Cuckoon (lyrics: Gabriel/music: Banks, Rutherford). Sounds like a Rutherford ballad with input from Tony.
5. In The Cage (lyrics: Gabriel/music: Banks, Rutherford, Collins). Sounds like a band song without Steve. Plenty of synth solos, heavier parts and jazzy parts, this song has input from everyone, except Steve, whom I don't even hear.
6. The Grand Parade Of Lifeless Packaging (lyrics: Gabriel/music: Banks, Collins, Brian Eno). Yes, Brian Eno even worked with Genesis. And his influence is obvious in this particular song. Why ? Because it dosen't sound like anything that Genesis released before or after this gem. With many percussion parts and synthetizer treatments, you can hear the Brian Eno influence.
7. Back In N.Y.C (lyrics: Gabriel/music: Rutherford, Banks). I read that Rutherford had written primarly the musical parts of this song, but that Tony Banks had an input.
8. Hairless Heart (music: Hackett). This is the song that Hackett would've written. A beautiful piece.
9. Counting Out Time (lyrics and music: Gabriel) One of the two songs that Peter had musical input, it sounds more whimsy and less dark than the rest of the album.
10. The Carpet Crawlers (lyrics: Gabriel/music: Banks, Gabriel) I read that Peter wrote the main melody of this song. In my opinion, Tony had imput musicaly since he was the musical parter of Peter.
11. The Chamber Of Two Doors (lyrics: Gabriel/music: Banks, Hackett, Rutherford, Collins) Hackett did a guitar solo, Tony had imput, it's sure and the rythm section had their part. I think it is a band song.
Please notice me if I'm wrong.

Edited by geneyesontle - August 26 2013 at 21:17

Horizons wrote: geneyesontle wrote: Horizons wrote: That still doesn't mean he wrote R&B songs, or at least is strictly classified as an R&B composer. Plus his bulk of work isn't. I'm sorry for calling him an R&b composer. ...... :|

He definitely has other influences, like jazz-fusion.

Horizons wrote: That still doesn't mean he wrote R&B songs, or at least is strictly classified as an R&B composer. Plus his bulk of work isn't.

I'm sorry for calling him an R&b composer.

Horizons wrote: I wouldn't call Phil and R&B composer...

If you hear his later songs, you find that R&B influence.

NotAProghead wrote: Only guessing counts? I guess Google is a good friend.  For example this http://genesisgts.conforums.com/index.cgi?board=music&action=display&num=1352134958 could be helpful.

Thanks a lot.
Interesting guessings. I will be doing the lamb sooner or later based on the credits of the later albums and his guessings.

Edited by geneyesontle - August 26 2013 at 19:59

Only guessing counts?

My Guessing on Nursery Cryme:
This album was very band-oriented, so I don't need proof. The band members seperated more and more as the time passed. But I can guess the primary songwriters of each song:
1. The Musical Box (Whole Band). It is evident that the song was really band oriented. This song is the perfect balance between every band member.
2. For Absent Friends (Phil Collins, Mike Rutherford). It sounds alot like More Fool Me from Selling England By The Pound, but more elaborated. So there can be other members who would have made contributions.
3. The Return Of The Giant Hogweed (Whole Band) Another ovious band song, another perfect balance.
4. Seven Stones (Peter Gabriel). It sounds a lot like King Crimson, which Gabriel said was very influenced.
5. Harold The Barrel (Gabriel). Very eclectic, and features many voices like many of Gabriel's songs.
6. Harlequin (Tony Banks, Rutherford, Gabriel) Sounds like Ripples and Lover's Leap, and dosen't sound like something that Phil or Steve would've written.
7. The Fountain of Salmacis (Banks, Collins, Gabriel). Has a lot of keyboards, and what can we say about the beat that Phil Collins played. A huge contribution to blow everyone away.
If I'm wrong, notify me.

Edited by geneyesontle - August 26 2013 at 13:43