GENESIS FOR TWO GRAND PIANOS VOL. 1

There has been two ways in making a tribute album. First, rearrange the music in such a way so that what's left from the original music is just the basic melody and some segments that remain almost the same (usually the chorus part). The degree to which how the new arrangement is different with the original song but it sounds better makes the tribute interesting and worth enjoying. A very good example of this style was demonstrated by Kevin Gilbert (RIP) when he rearranged Genesis's "Back In New York City" totally different with the original version of "Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" album. You can enjoy this rearrangement in the compilation tribute to Genesis titled "Supper's Ready" (Magna Carta).

Second, the music is rearranged using the other instruments like orchestra or string quartet whereby usually the basic melody remains intact but all instruments are played differently by other instruments. This CD of Norway's pianists GUDDAL (YNGVE) & MATTE (ROGER T.) fall under this category. Oh man . if you love Genesis very much it's hard to deny the existence of this excellent expressions of famous Genesis tunes through two grand pianos. The two grand pianos presented here represent two purpose: as melody maker (which sings the original vocal line) and rhythm section. No other instruments are allowed here, you would just hear all piano sounds. Hmm . now you can imagine how the mellotronisque style of old Genesis sound is presented here. Interesting, my friend . And. you'd better not to read the following lines and grab the CD right now and enjoy! Only one prerequisite is required: you have to be familiar with Genesis music. Otherwise, you will just find a music usually played at hotel lobby. In this case, you'd better buy Richard Clayderman's CD than purchasing this CD. I mean it.

Nursery Cryme was my first experience with Genesis with "Musical Box", "The Return of Giant Hogweed" and "Harold the Barrel" as songs that were very accessible to me at first listen. Sooner I fell in love with "The Fountain Of Salmacis" (7:59) which in this CD is presented as opening track. What a great choice! The long sustain mellotron work is now replaced by - you know what? - grand piano sound! So, how to do the "long sustain" sound? Oh, these two gentlemen are geniuses! The use their fingers running like fire on top of their piano. The result is astonishing! What a beautiful sound! I cannot let my mouth shut to sing "From a dense forest of tall dark pinewood, Mount Ida rises like an island ." when the piano starts rolling the lyrical part into my ears and my mind. What a beautiful sound .. Oh I remember my great childhood in a small town, Madiun, where I enjoyed most of my early prog days wholeheartedly. Prog music was on my blood when I was 14! Thanks to my big brother Henky who showed me to the beautiful hill of music that later be called as "prog" music.

Who on earth does not like "Mad Man Moon" (7:26) of "A Trick of The Tail" album? No one! Even if you don't love Genesis, you will soon get acquainted with it. It's so user friendly prog and it's very nice. It's melody will kill your heart instantly. Listen this: "Was it summer when the river ran dry, Or was it just another dam." . oh man . my heart is bleeding . these guys of Genesis are truly heart killers! And these two pianists interpret the song excellently through their fingers on two grand pianos. Of course, you will hear other piano sounds at the back which are not available under original version.

Genesis "Foxtrot" paralyzed me later with songs like "Horizon - Supper's Ready" and "Can-Utility and the Coastliners" (5:52). Through this CD I first could not imagined how the foxtrot-based music like "Can Utility .." can be performed in a minimal way using "just" two grand pianos? Oh . again these two gentlemen proved that this could happen wonderfully. Again, I cannot shut my mouth up for not to sing the most powerful Gabriel's lyrical part "The scattered pages of a book by the sea Held by the sand and washed by the waves A shadow forms cast by a cloud .." and again . the grand pianos accompanying me here. Superb.

If you love Genesis, you must be familiar with Phil Collins voice singing: "Fifty thousands men were sent to do the will of one". Yep, "One for the Vine" (10:47) is demonstrated beautifully here. What also surprised me with this CD is that the song like "Down and Out" (5:10) which has a kind like staccato drum style at the opening can be presented nicely here. I'm amazed with this. The drum-based "Duke's Travels" (6:21) is also another good example how brilliant these two gentlemen interpret and express their piano competence into excellent sounds which satisfy all Genesis lovers (my view). "Evidence of Autumn" (5:23) is a also nicely arranged.

No question, if you are a hard core fan of Genesis, this CD is really worth collecting. Don't waste your time, buy the CD now! Keep on proggin' .!!!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

PS. This review is dedicated to my friends who are members of classic rock society m-claro, Jakarta, Indonesia. Buy this CD man!