The Musical Box - December 2nd 2006

    I just got back from Massey Hall in Toronto, Ontario, after seeing the Musical Box. I am blown away! This is my 2nd time seeing them; my first was December of 2005, when they performed "The Lamb Lies down on Broadway" in its entirety.

Fans lined up before the show, cold, and eager. I sat down in my seat and anxiously waited for the lights to dim. At 8:15, the lights turned down and the cheering exploded throughout the quaint elegant theater. After a few seconds of random hitting of keys and drums, the haunting organ of Watcher of the Skies. People screamed and whistled as the organ lingered throughout the seats. Denis Gagné (I'll refer to him as Peter Gabriel) stood as still as a stone statue, sporting his ever famous bat-helmet, while David Myers (or Tony Banks) ceased to let the piercing organ die. Sébastien Lamothe (Michael Rutherford) and Martin Levac (Phil Collins) slowly swelled up, as did François Gagnon (Hackett). The song was re-created and re-enacted as it was 30 years ago, and I was already gripping on tight, wanting more. After the tune came to an end, Gabriel thanked the crowd, and changed into his Brittania costume. He gave his usual dialogue about Brittania, then opening with Dancing with the Moonlit Knight. I won't go into each song, step by step, for that would be more boring then this already is. The Cinema Show followed behind the moonlit knight. In the middle, Hackett and Gabriel went off, leaving the Three to jam until the songs end. The train of Selling England wasn't close to being over. The sound of a motor running poured in through the venue, as fans cheered due to the familiar sound. Gabriel slowly walked strangely, and slowly from one side of the stage, to the next, mimicing the actions of a lawn-mower, perhaps? I know what I like went through it's usually incredible procedure, with gabriel sporting the WWI spiked-hat. More calm, Gabriel-esque dialogue continued after the song, which led into Banks' classical legendary intro of Firth of Fifth.

The concert hit its approximate half-way point here. There weren't a huge catalogue of songs, considering each one measured into about 10 minutes each. Selling England continued as The Battle of Epping Forest made an excellent mark in the night. After the Battle, Selling England had come to an end, but even greater songs were about to come...
The crowd silence, as the spotlight fixed itself on Steve Hackett. He sat silently, everyone waiting for what was going to happen next. He played the first few harmonics of Horizonsand the crowd cheered quitely, wanting to hear the soft guitar. The theater erupted with whistles and screams as he finished, then the lights came back on. Gabriel gave his speech about the two young children participating in a game of croquet. The Musical Box began, with the elegant guitar opening. Gabriel came out halfway wearing his Old Man mask, screaming "Why Won't you touch me?!" while humping the air. Now if that wasn't good enough, The Musical Box played what everyone attending the show was waiting for. Gabriel spoke of the pet store which was never opened, and the park that was never closed, and the worms telling the birds that Supper was ready. The group performed the epic, legendary Suppers Ready in all of its 20 minute glory, not missing a beat. Many memorable costumes were used here like the Flower, or that weird polygonal luminescent hat ( I still cant quite figure out what that is). The end of the song brought a 5-minute standing ovation. The encore arrived with two-words; the way that Gabriel really introduced it on the 1973 "Live" Album..The Knife. They performed an excellent, flawless rendition of The Knife, which ulimately wrapped up the night.
   Don't take the term "Cover Band" lightly when seeing these guys. These guys are practically the real thing, they have amazed me in everyway possible. The Musical Box never fails to amaze their audience. If these guys stop by your city, I strongly urge you to see them. You won't be disappointed.


Edited by mattmacneil - December 03 2006 at 13:23