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Versione 1
Rating:
Ok, someone has already written about this album... but I would still like to offer my thoughts, perhaps a slightly more technical one (I've been playing piano and keyboards for many years).
NURSERY CRYME
In general
The first true prog album of our heroes ("Trespass" contained the seeds, but was still very much characterized by soul and folk). Finally, Banks approaches the mellotron, and the entire album is characterized by this instrument as well as the classic Hammond organ. "Nursery" also marks the advent of two great instrumentalists: Phil Collins on drums (and backing vocals) and Steve Hackett on guitars. Phil is a great drummer, imaginative, rich in technique, with a special touch that supports the pieces throughout the album (excluding the lead vocal on For Absent Friends). Steve brings electric innovation, exploration, a particular and personal use of the instrument. Ant is a great acoustic guitarist, Steve is more electric and exploratory. Moreover, he introduces the Genesis "system" of compositions, meaning he mediates a lot between Tony, Peter, and Mike, and even if he doesn't sign much, he puts his style into all the tracks. The best lineup ever, the most balanced and the... most quarrelsome... Fun fact: this album was the first to open the doors of Italy to Genesis, placing in the Italian top ten for many weeks.
Recording
Mid-low quality. Finally, the stereophonic perspective is respected without exaggerations. Bass fairly present, trebles not particularly bright, compressed drums with sounds too dull compared to what Phil would like and what the pieces deserve.
Tracks
"The Musical Box"
An immense suite, with all the Genesis ingredients perfectly mixed in a textbook general balance. Acoustic, electric, lyrical, angry, melancholic, explosive.... all this is "The Musical Box". A dramatic story rendered in an almost playful way, with the adorable Cinthya gracefully removing the head of her peer... It should be noted that one of the composers was still Ant... Rating 9.5
"For Absent Friends"
Delicate acoustic vignette, it tells of two widows in front of the cemetery gates remembering their late husbands. Phil's voice suits the sad and melancholic atmosphere of the track, all acoustic and played on a beautiful interweaving of arpeggiated 12-strings. Rating 7
"The Return of the Giant Hogweed"
Another substantial suite, with a stunning opening of electric guitar and organ in unison welcoming the rhythmic base and subsequently the voice of a Gabriel in a state of grace. A rather "hard" track, with a notably dreamy acoustic interlude where the piano arpeggio forms the base on which Steve's electric guitar grows. Then there is also space for a classical section where Bach-like arpeggios then let the hardness of the intro return. Rating 9
"Seven Stones"
It's the piece that convinces me the least, perhaps a bit too fussy and classical, the organ still very prominent (maybe a bit too much). The influence of the more classic King Crimson is very much felt. Beautiful melody, complex, and Gabriel's voice is exceptional in vocal range (he was very young...). Use of choirs a little too massive. Rating 7.5
"Harold the Barrel"
Fun, bubbly, with music blatantly contrasting with the story (a rather sad and hectic eviction). It’s Genesis' most British style, revisited in future tracks including "A Trick of the Tail", with beautiful choirs ("We can help you... We can help you...") and crossing voices, excellent musical base and a truly effective and fun rhythm. Rating 8
"Harlequin"
A small acoustic jewel, with the 12-strings weaving a melody and splendid harmony, delicate, unmistakably Genesis. Beautiful the voices of Peter and Phil who "play" at chasing each other in a beautiful effect of modulated counterpoint. A small masterpiece. Rating 8.5
"The Fountain of Salmacis"
Long track that closes the album, with a beautiful beginning of arpeggio on the flanged Hammond and Mellotron base, which in crescendo leads to the sung section with a beautiful drum base of almost epic flavor. Evocative melody sung by Gabriel with his usual very personal voice. The central riff with supporting choirs also leaves room for a beautiful electric guitar by Steve. Beautiful guitar explosion with a suggestive and rather hard riff that introduces the instrumental section with great work by Phil and Mike. Then comes Tony's organ solo alternating and serving as a base for Steve's solo. Reprise of the organ riff and the initial melody to then leave room for the epic finale among voice, instruments, choirs, and a beautiful solo by Steve that ends the track. Rating 8.5
Tracklist Lyrics Samples and Videos
01 The Musical Box (10:28)
Play me "Old King Cole"
that I may join with you,
all your hearts now seem so far from me
it hardly seems to matter now.
And the nurse will tell you lies
of a Kingdom beyond the skies.
But I'm lost within this half-world,
it hardly seems to matter now.
Play me my song,
here it comes again.
Play me my song,
here it comes again.
Just a little bit,
just a little bit more time,
time left to live out my life.
Play me my song,
here it comes again.
Play me my song,
here it comes again.
Old King Cole was a merry old soul,
and a merry old soul was he.
So he called for his pipe,
and he called for his bowl,
and he called for his fiddlers three.
And the clock, tick tock,
on the mantlepiece,
and I want,
and I feel,
and I know,
and I touch the wall.
She's a lady, she's got time.
Brush back you hair, and let me get to know your face.
She's a lady, she's mine.
Brush back you hair, and let me get to know your flesh.
I've been waiting here so long
and all this time has passed me by.
It doesn't seem to matter now.
You stand there with your fixed expression
casting doubt on all I have to say.
Why don't you touch me, touch me?
Why don't you touch me, touch me?
Touch me now, now now, now, now ...
The musical box:
While Henry Hamilton-Smythe minor (8) was playing croquet with Cynthia Jane De Blaise-William (9), sweet smiling Cynthia
raised her mallet high and gracefully removed Henry's head. Two weeks later, in Henry's nursery, she discovered his treasured
musical box. Eagerly she opened it and as "Old King Cole" began to play, a small spirit-figure appeared. Henry had returned -
but not for long, for as he stood in the room his body began ageing rapidly, leaving a child's mind inside. A lifetime's desires
surged through him. Unfortunately the attempt to persuade Cynthia Jane to fulfill his romantic desire led his nurse to the
nursery to investigate the noise. Instinctively she hurled the musical box at the bearded child, destroying both.
02 For Absent Friends (01:46)
Sunday at six when they close both the gates
A widowed pair, still sitting there
Wonder if they're late for church
And it's cold so they fasten their coats
And cross the grass, they're always last
Passing by the padlocked swings
The roundabout still turning
Ahead they see a small girl
On her way home with a pram
Inside the archway
The priest greets them with a courteous nod
He's close to God
Looking back at days of four instead of two
Years seem so few
Heads bent in prayer
For friends not there
Leaving twopence on the plate
They hurry down the path and through the gate
And wait to board the bus
That ambles down the street
03 The Return of the Giant Hogweed (08:12)
Turn and run
Nothing can stop them
Around every river and canal their
Power is growing
Stamp them out
We must destroy them
They infiltrate each city with their thick dark warning odour
They are invincible
They seem immune to all our herbicidal battering
Long ago in the Russian hills
A Victorian explorer found the regal Hogweed by a marsh
He captured it and brought it home
Botanical creature stirs, seeking revenge
Royal beast did not forget
He came home to London
And made a present of the Hogweed to the Royal Gardens at Kew
Waste no time
They are approaching
Hurry now, we must protect ourselves and find some shelter
Strike by night
They are defenceless
They all need the sun to photosensitize their venom
Still they're invincible
Still they're immune to all our herbicidal battering
Fashionable country gentlemen had some cultivated wild gardens
In which they innocently planted the Giant Hogweed throughout the land
Botanical creature stirs, seeking revenge
Royal beast did not forget
Soon they escaped, spreading their seed
Preparing for an onslaught
Threatening the human race
Mighty Hogweed is avenged
Human bodies soon will know anger
Kill them with your Hogweed hairs
04 Seven Stones (05:10)
I heard the old man tell his tale:
Tinker, alone within a storm
And losing hope he clears the leaves beneath a tree
Seven stones
Lay on the ground
Within the seventh house a friend was found
And the changes of no consequence
Will pick up the reins from nowhere
Sailors, in peril on the sea
Amongst the waves a rock looms nearer not yet seen
They see a gull
Flying by
The captain turns the boat and he asks not why
And the changes of no consequence
Will pick up the reins from nowhere
Nowhere...
Despair that tires the world
Brings the old man laughter
The laughter of the world only grieves him, believes him
The old man's guide is chance
I heard the old man tell his tale:
Farmer, who knows not when to sow
Consults the old man clutching money in his hand
With a shrug
The old man smiled
Took the money, left the farmer wild
And the changes of no consequence
Will pick up the reins from nowhere
Nowhere...
Despair that tires the world
Brings the old man laughter
The laughter of the world only grieves him, believes him
The old man's guide is chance...
05 Harold the Barrel (02:59)
News:
A well-known Bognor restaurant-owner disappeared
early this morning.
Last seen in a mouse-brown overcoat,
suitably camouflaged,
they saw him catch a train.
Man-in-the-street:
"Father of three its disgusting"
"Such a horrible thing to do"
Harold the Barrel cut off his toes and he served them all for tea
"Can't go far", "He can't go far".
"Hasn't got a leg to stand on"
"He can't go far".
Man-on-the-spot:
I'm standing in a doorway on the main square
tension is mounting
There's a restless crowd of angry people
Man-on-the-council:
"More than we've ever seen.
- had to tighten up security"
Over to the scene at the town hall
The Lord Mayor's ready to speak
Lord Mayor:
"Man of suspicion, you can't last long, the British Public is on our side"
British Public:
"Can't last long", "You can't last long".
"Said you couldn't trust him, his brother was just the same"
"You can't last long".
Harold:
If I was many miles from here,
I'd be sailing in an open boat on the sea
Instead I'm on this window ledge,
With the whole world below
Up at the window
Look at the window...
Mr.Plod:
"We can help you"
Plod's Chorus:
"We can help you"
Mr. Plod:
"We're all your friends, if you come on down and talk to us son"
Harold:
You must be joking
Take a running jump
The crowd was getting stronger and our Harold getting weaker;
Forwards, backwards, swaying side to side
Fearing the very worst
They called his mother to the sight
Upon the ledge beside him
His mother made a last request.
67-yr-old Mrs Barrel:
"Come off the ledge if your father were alive he'd be very, very, very upset.
"Just can't jump, you just can't jump"
"Your shirt's all dirty, there's a man here from the B.B.C."
"You just can't jump"
Mr. Plod:
"We can help you"
Plod's Chorus:
"We can help you"
Mr. Plod:
"We're all your friends, if you come on down and talk to us Harry"
Harold:
You must be joking.
Take a running jump......
06 Harlequin (02:56)
Came the night a mist dissolved the trees
And in the broken light colours fly, fading by.
Pale and cold as figures fill the glade
Grey is the web they spin, on and on, and on and on.
Through the flame still summer lingers on
Though her pictures soon shatter.
All, always the same.
But there appears in the shades of dawning,
Though your eyes are dim,
All of the pieces in the sky.
There was once a harvest in this land.
Reap from the turquoise sky, harlequin, harlequin,
Dancing round, three children fill the glade,
Theirs was the laughter in the winding stream, and in between.
Close your door, the picture fades again
From the flames in the firelight.
All, always the same,
But there appears in the shades of dawning,
Though your eyes are dim,
All of the pieces in the sky.
All, all is not lost,
And light appears in the shades of dawning
When your eyes can see
Order the pieces, put them back, put them back.
07 The Fountain of Salmacis (07:55)
From a dense forest of tall dark pinewood
Mount Ida rises like an island.
Within a hidden cave, nymphs had kept a child:
Hermaphroditus, son of gods, so afraid of their love.
As the dawn creeps up the sky,
The hunter caught sight of a doe.
In desire for conquest,
He found himself within a glade he'd not beheld before.
Where are you, my father?
Give wisdom to your son.
And as his strength began to fail,
He saw a shimmering lake.
a shadow in the dark green depths
Disturbed the strange tranquility.
The waters are disturbed.
Some creature has been stirred.
As he rushed to quench his thirst,
A fountain spring appeared before him.
And as his heated breath brushed through the cool mist
A liquid voice called, "Son of gods, drink from my spring."
The water tasted strangely sweet.
Behind him the voice called again.
He turned and saw her, in a cloak of mist alone,
And as he gazed, her eyes were filled with the darkness of the lake.
We shall be one.
We shall be joined as one.
Away from me, cold-blooded woman.
Your thirst is not mine.
Nothing will cause us to part.
Hear me, O Gods!
Unearthly calm ascended from the sky
And then their flesh and bones were strangely merged.
Forever to be joined as one.
The creature crawled into the lake.
A fading voice was heard:
"And I beg, yes I beg, that all who touch this spring
May share my fate."
We are the one.
We are the one.
Both had given everything they had.
A lover's dream had been fulfilled at last.
Forever still beneath the lake.
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Other reviews
By Pagliarulo
"The Musical Box... starts with dreamlike, fairy-tale atmospheres that at times almost become a horror story."
"The Fountain Of Salmacis... probably the peak of the album, triumphant and majestic, yet not pompous."
By rebel1
The Musical Box shifts from fairy-tale to mystery, to terror, transforming into pure rock with an overwhelming attack of guitars.
The Fountain of Salmacis ends with a rapid drum break followed by a breathtaking guitar and bass solo.
By Torre Ste
"The Musical Box is a ten-minute piece... capable of moving listeners from the very first listen and engaging anyone in their music."
"Serious lyrics and high-quality music make up a wonderful and complete album, passing into music history through the main door."
By STIPE
What makes this album great is the aura of mystery and fairy tale it exudes.
The ending is hair-raising, with Gabriel's voice first hoarse and hypnotic, and then imperious in a powerful and unstoppable crescendo of incomparable intensity!
By SydBarrett96
Petger Gabriel was a genius, and with Phil Collins and Steve Hackett, they turned progressive rock into a work of art.
"The Musical Box" is one of the most influential rock tracks, blending Victorian storytelling with powerful melodies and dramatic vocals.
