THE GEESE AND THE GHOST

This solo debut by ex-Genesis guitarist Anthony Phillips will easily suitable for those who like "Trespass" and, to some extent, "Nursery Cryme". Remember "Dusk", "Visions of Angels", or "For Absent Friends"?

Released almost seven years after he left Genesis, here Phillips explores more of medieval folk elements found on both albums. If the result sounds more like Genesis in its early stage, probably it's because of the appearances of both Mike Rutherford and, mostly, Phil Collins, who do a lot of the singing.

Content-wise, this is not an easy album. It demands patience -- and persistence attempt. The first tough test for every listeners, if it has to be mentioned, is "Henry: Portraits from Tudor Times". This 12-plus-minute six-part epic surely will be a kind of a maze to those who don't have patience -- they tend to be lost. But if we listen to it watchfully, embrace every tune and feel deeply the movements from synthesizer- generated fanfares to beautiful classical guitar passages, into parts with soaring electric guitar, flute, oboe... and so on, the experience will be rewarding.

Considering the fact that Phillips have just returned after quite a long time absence, this album surely is a great achievement -- though there are weaknesses in several parts of its compositions. This is a good album that is definitely a must for Genesis fans.