THE GEESE AND THE GHOST

Maybe I'd see things differently if I were more than a casual fan of Gabriel, Collins, and company, but The Geese and the Ghost sure sounds like a Lost Genesis Album to me. Others have pointed out that Anthony Phillips's debut is missing several of the characteristics of a Genesis record: the trademark soaring guitar of Steve Hackett, for example, and Tony Banks's virtuoso keyboard work. There's also the fact that only three of the songs have vocals, that the lyrics don't really sound too much like Genesis, and that there's very little percussion, never mind Phil-Collins-strength drumming.

But I view this as a Lost Genesis Album anyway, for two distinct reasons. First, serious Genesis fans seem to really like this record even though Collins is the primary vocalist and Peter Gabriel is absent completely. That says something to me: despite all that's missing, there's some other element or elements that attract those fans. Secondly, this record sounds like Gabriel-era Genesis - - not just someone mimicking or saluting Gabriel-era Genesis - - all without Gabriel, Banks, Hackett, or producer John Burns.

Of course the fact that Collins sings two songs makes a big difference, but the most significant element is the synergy between Phillips and Genesis bassist-guitarist Mike Rutherford. This pair, who co-wrote the two main pieces here, also perform the guitar duets that dominate The Geese and the Ghost. It may be these largely acoustic guitar orchestrations, which echo parts of "Supper's Ready," "The Cinema Show," and other Genesis songs, that so endear Genesis fans to this album.

Or perhaps it's these pastoral arrangements of serene but pleasant melodies, which, while lilting, never deteriorate into elevator music. Indeed, Phillips neglects to smooth over the occasional melodic edge - - to good effect. Nonetheless, the album has none of the edginess of a Genesis album. Among its other qualities is the superb audio mixing of the instruments, including flutes, oboes, and strings.

The Geese and the Ghost sounds like an album which was made to satisfy the artist, not the audience. It's kind of appropriate that it failed to chart in the UK and just barely nicked the US top 200 album listings. Others have pointed out that the hybrid of progressive folk and symphonic rock offered by Phillips wasn't selling in 1977, but I can't think of any particular time when it would've been a smash hit. The Geese and the Ghost is a Lost Genesis Album almost on purpose.

In summary - - and I don't mean this as faint praise - - What a nice album.