The Musical Box - December 2nd 2006
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URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=31808
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Topic: The Musical Box - December 2nd 2006
Posted By: mattmacneil
Subject: The Musical Box - December 2nd 2006
Date Posted: December 03 2006 at 00:31
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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. ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/mattmacneil/?chartstyle=red"> 
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Replies:
Posted By: Bastille Dude
Date Posted: December 03 2006 at 00:36
Sounds like an incredible show, Oh how I would have loved to have been there. 
------------- DEATH TO FALSE PROG! |
Posted By: mattmacneil
Date Posted: December 03 2006 at 00:37
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It was quite incredible, where do you live, have you missed them? ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/mattmacneil/?chartstyle=red">
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Posted By: Bastille Dude
Date Posted: December 03 2006 at 00:41
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I live in southern California and as far as I know, The Musical Box have never been here. There is a band called Gabble Ratchet from LA that plays every once in awhile, But I have missed them everytime. Seems as though I don't find out about their shows until weeks after they happened. ------------- DEATH TO FALSE PROG! |
Posted By: Bastille Dude
Date Posted: December 03 2006 at 00:44
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Gabble Ratchet has nothing on The Musical Box. From what I've read and heard about The Musical Box before, they're like the real thing.
------------- DEATH TO FALSE PROG! |
Posted By: mattmacneil
Date Posted: December 03 2006 at 00:51
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Hey, to all of you interested, check out this footage I took. Listen to the music, it's almost identical.
It includes, watcher of the skies, dancing with the moonlit knight, i know what I like, firth of fifth, and musical box. http://youtube.com/watch?v=8V7LYKIpiWE - The Musical Box ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/mattmacneil/?chartstyle=red">
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Posted By: Garion81
Date Posted: December 28 2006 at 14:58
They played Whittier California in Dec 2004 for the Lamb tour. Same place as where Calprog is held every year.
http://www.Calprog.Com - WWW.Calprog.Com
 ------------- 
"What are you going to do when that damn thing rusts?" |
Bastille Dude wrote:Posted By: red.sector_a
Date Posted: January 04 2007 at 18:02
| i saw them early in november. had my mind blown by them. truly amazing. i thought Watcher of the Skies was great, but one he started Dancing....i was sold. amazing band. |
Posted By: Bastille Dude
Date Posted: January 04 2007 at 18:22
Whoa! Thanks for the info Garion81, I'll have to check it out since I live near OC/LA/IE area. ------------- DEATH TO FALSE PROG! |
Posted By: Tommy
Date Posted: January 09 2007 at 12:42
| Can't wait to see this amazing band in March when they tour the UK! |
Posted By: Firepuck
Date Posted: January 09 2007 at 13:00
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I have seen them perform the SEBTP tour three times and TLLDOB tour once. All four concerts were amazing but the SEBTP was the best in my view simply because of the songs played and the numerous costume changes that occurred.
By the way, they perform two different versions of Supper's Ready and I have been fortunate to see both, although the 'white version' with Gabriel being lifted into the air at the conclusion of the song was unbelievable.
------------- Kryten : "'Pub'? Ah yes, A meeting place where humans attempt to achieve advanced states of mental incompetence by the repeated consumption of fermented vegetable drinks." |
Posted By: erik neuteboom
Date Posted: January 09 2007 at 14:36
Did you know that in those days when Peter Gabriel performed the 'white version', he was almost strangled by the wire  ? A roadie realised what was happening and acted very quickly to save Peter Gabriel 
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Posted By: Firepuck
Date Posted: January 09 2007 at 14:38
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^ nope, that's a bit of trivia I won't soon forget. ------------- Kryten : "'Pub'? Ah yes, A meeting place where humans attempt to achieve advanced states of mental incompetence by the repeated consumption of fermented vegetable drinks." |
Posted By: Alibongo
Date Posted: January 12 2007 at 05:46
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I would love to go and see this band...and i might! Checked "their" website and their coming to Liverpool, England, which is about 1/2 an hour away from me on the train!!
Roll on March the 3rd ------------- 
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Posted By: tillerman
Date Posted: January 12 2007 at 05:51
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I saw 'em do the Lamb in L.A.Staggering.I hope they come back.
------------- [email protected]Blue Font |
Posted By: erik neuteboom
Date Posted: January 12 2007 at 06:15
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January 29th they will perform the SEBTP tour in my hometown The Hague (Holland), I am looking forward to it every day, still 17 days to go Check out their website: http://www.themusicalbox.net/ - http://www.themusicalbox.net/
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Posted By: ilegalimigrant
Date Posted: January 23 2007 at 18:49
| Yeah i saw them in Montreeal december 16th ( or 15th ) and it was GREAT too, even the Peter Gabriel move with hsi hands, they re-took exactly, me and my friends were doing it to them, ''Peter Gabriel'' smiled seeing us. Some person in the audience started whislting or somehting at teh benignn or a song and ''Peter', said something like '' discipline please'' i may be wrong here was a month ago, can't remmeber what was said exactly. |
Posted By: ZowieZiggy
Date Posted: February 07 2007 at 11:42
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I am quite happy to see good reviews for this fantastic Canadian band.
I've seen four times "The Lamb Lies Down" and I must say that it was an exact replica of the original concert (which I was lucky to see back in ...1975).
The Selling England tour show is impressive as well. But there is a great description of it already so I can only recommend you to go to see this show.
The very bad news about "The Musical Box" is that this is apparently their last tour (they started about fifteen years ago). So, after that, we will be again orphans.
I feel very sad about this.
Cheers. ------------- ZowieZiggy |
Posted By: tillerman
Date Posted: February 08 2007 at 04:00
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Hellay,
This is an announcement from genetic control that your favorite Genesis tribute band GABBLE RATCHET needs your support for one night in the month of February. But first we want to thank everyone who attended the January 20th show at Martini Blues. It was a great crowd and a great night of music. Now about February.......... Because of you folks, our shows are continually becoming more successful which is allowing us to expand to different and more exciting venues. On Saturday February 17th we will be appearing at one of the finest venues in Southern California, the Orange County Pavilion Performing Arts Center. The OC Pavilion is a beautiful 500 seat theater with state of the art sound and lighting. You can even enjoy watching the show on the 2 side stage jumbotrons showing multi media entertainment and up close shots of the performance. If you were ever wanting to come see GABBLE RATCHET, this would be the one. So please come support Gabble Ratchet at one of our most important shows to date and help support the music of Genesis. This is an early show as we go on at 8:00 and perform 1 set. There will be an after show party at the on site bar - hanging out in a room full of genesis fans should be a lot of fun! We highly recommend purchasing tickets by calling the OC Pavilion box office. Please see info below. Thanks and we hope to see you there, Gabble Ratchet ------------- [email protected]Blue Font |
Posted By: Neil
Date Posted: March 10 2007 at 03:02
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Saw the Musical Box last night at the Colston Hall in Bristol. They were fantastic and I would recommend anyone who likes Gabriel era Genesis to see them on what is reportedly their last tour. Apart from some keyboard problems delaying the start of the show they were superb throughout, sounding probably better and more polished than Genesis did at that time. They played the whole of SEBT apart from Aisle of Plenty and After the Ordeal. I'd never seen or heard Battle of Epping Forest performed live before then and they did it justice. My only regret is that they didn't play Twilight Alehouse, a personal favourite and a regular Genesis finale back in the day.
Go and see them while you still can.  ------------- When people get lost in thought it's often because it's unfamiliar territory. |
Posted By: Hacketeer
Date Posted: March 18 2007 at 19:20
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I've just returned from The Musical Box gig in Glasgow. Stunning is the only way to describe the performance! Several times I had to remind myself that this was NOT Genesis. They're touring again in the autumn, so, don't waste money on the re-union tour, wait for The Musical Box! ------------- "Just keep me nose clean, egg, chips & beans, I'm always full of steam" |