CONGO

I might be one of the few people who actually like the song Congo. To my ears this is actually one of the best "hit" songs by Genesis. It has strong vocals by Ray Wilson and a powerful melody; I even like the lyrics which have a special meaning to me. However, this single version is an edited one and the album version is strongly preferable. This single version runs for only 3:15 while the album version runs for 4:53. I hate it when a song is butchered like that!

Like the other two singles released from the Calling All Stations album, the present one also holds b-sides that are not available elsewhere (with the exception of three tracks that ended up on the extra disc in the recent remasters box set). Sadly, these b-sides are very far below the material that actually made in onto the album. Both Papa He Said and Banjo Man are disposable and are not worthy of serious investigation by anyone other than the most devoted fan and even a fan like myself who actually enjoyed Calling All Stations is bound to be disappointed by these feeble songs. Needless to say there is not a trace of Prog in these songs, but even as Pop/Rock songs they do not hold up well.

Of the three Calling All Stations singles, this is the least interesting one. Go for the album instead!

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