•
Rating: In 2004, the Genesis, or rather their management, came out with this Platinum Collection on three discs, succeeding the pointless and blatant Turn It On Again - The Hits by five years. It is a journey back in time to discover (or rediscover) the story of this great band, starting from their major, ephemeral chart successes to their earliest, unforgettable classics; a definitely commercial operation but one that presents some interest, especially for newcomers. I must say that I own an original copy of the Platinum (which I find very sober and elegant in its vast graphic), bought in Livigno for eleven Euros, even though I already owned all the band's albums: I use it successfully to make converts and educate friends. The main point of interest for Genesis fans is that half of the tracks (precisely 22 out of 40) have been remixed and skillfully restored by the talented Nick Davis: this allows us to rediscover, for instance, the magic of The Musical Box and The Knife as never heard before, and it also adds considerable impact to impressive tracks of the new era such as the powerful Abacab, the romantic Undertow, or the catchy Turn It On Again, making them much more appealing.
The first disc is dedicated to the soft underbelly of Genesis, the painful side, characterized by a dry creative vein and excessive care for chart results. The worst of this phase is present, and the few good things can be found in the first track, the beautiful No Son Of Mine, and in the longer tracks from the ’83 album. There are two "intruders": the mediocre Paperlate from the EP 3x3 and the title track of the much-hated Calling All Stations. Few have bothered to listen to this album without dismissing it outright, and I find that it is a historically unfortunate but well-made work and not entirely detestable. I think it is worth remembering.
The second CD gathers material from Three and Four-wheel Genesis; it captures the shift towards more direct forms, but it is still noticeable that the quality is sufficiently high. There are many notable omissions, for example, Dodo, Dance On A Volcano, or the magnificent One For The Vine, and despite significant drops in tone (Misunderstanding and Keep It Dark), the selection works quite well. Furthermore, here you begin to admire the good restructuring work of the sound that brings new energy to many forgotten tracks, like the gentle Duchess shining with piano, or the stunning Afterglow, with its perfect and crystal-clear guitar, and even the jaunty Follow You Follow Me, light but always enjoyable (I will never forget it because it was the first Genesis song I heard), shows new brilliance.
The third disc hosts the true masterpieces, those with Gabriel on vocals, an exciting collection opened by the title track from The Lamb. The pieces have been adjusted and cleaned up in the studio, and they have never sounded better, especially in the set from Selling England. and the two aforementioned final tracks. Not everything is here, the major absences being Watcher Of The Skies, The Fountain Of Salmacis, and Stagnation, but for those approaching this band, it's an excellent starting point to discover what Genesis was capable of in its youth. A valid incentive, as I've witnessed on several occasions, to seek out the actual records: if you start with The Musical Box, who knows what the rest of the album holds...
This is an opportunity to clarify a point I hold dear and which is too often overlooked. Who composed these wonderful songs? As is known, they are accredited to the whole group, but distinctions are useful. One thing needs to be said immediately: these are not Peter Gabriel's songs. For instance, take Genesis's manifesto of the era, The Musical Box; the lyrics are Gabriel's, but the core of the song was composed by Rutherford and Phillips, later enriched first by Mick Barnard, who briefly replaced Ant, then by Steve Hackett. Many tracks, Supper's Ready being exemplary, were musically composed by Banks with Collins, Hackett, and Rutherford supporting, and Gabriel to a lesser extent; many lyrics sung by Gabriel were actually written by Tony or Mike (Cinema Show, Firth Of Fifth, but also Fountain Of Salmacis). So the great Peter was the principal and inimitable poet of the group, a skilful storyteller with infinite creativity and unparalleled stage presence, but he was not a true composer, and did not personally weave the magical atmospheres upon which his stories were based; it should be said, however, that he is the author of the group's strong pieces like Dancing With The Moonlit Knight and a good part of The Knife, but also, for example, a work like The Lamb, conceptually and lyrically (but not entirely?) Peter’s child, is from a musical standpoint almost entirely the result of the creativity of the great catalysts, Tony and Mike. Note that I say this not to undervalue the enormous capabilities of a whirlwind like Gabriel, but to clarify how the Genesis of the golden period worked; it has often happened to me to hear that Peter was a genius who wrote immense masterpieces, which were then arranged by the rest of the band, and that he was therefore not only the charismatic leader but also the artistic leader of the band. This is not true at all, and it rather undeservedly diminishes the skill of all the musicians, also because, in many cases, it was the music that carried the lyrics, and not vice versa; so Genesis does not mean Peter Gabriel and does not mean Phil Collins either. Beyond these sterile syllogisms, I believe it is right to give all the members of this great band the honor and merits they deserve beyond the subsequent questionable devolutions.
One last note on the tumultuous divorce between the singer and the band: many take for granted that the musicians, resentful of the growing popularity of the great personality, maliciously isolated and then excluded him, or put him in a position where he could no longer work. This is also a historical misconception: the first break was provoked by Peter himself. How many know, or have chosen to forget, the phone call made to young Gabriel by William Friedkin? I won’t elaborate further, let those with ears to understand hear...
P. S. I have also seen flying around the internet a version with a different cover; in this one, the figurines are: the human shadow on Calling All Stations, the little angel inside the cover of Nursery Cryme, a colorful silhouette from The Way We Walk, Jacob sleeping on the bench, the little devil from A Trick Of The Tail and the thoughtful Rael.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 No Son of Mine (06:35)
Well the key to my survival
Was never in much doubt
The question was how I could keep sane
Trying to find the way out
Things were never easy for me
Peace of mind was hard to find
And I needed a place where I could hide
Somewhere I could call mine
I didn't think much about it
'Til it started happening all the time
Soon I was living with the fear every day
Of what might happen that night
I couldn't stand to hear the crying
Of my mother, and I remember when
I swore that, that would be the last they'd see of me
And I never went home again
They say that time is a healer
And now my wounds are not the same
I rang the bell with my heart in my mouth
I had to hear what he'd say
Well, he sat me down to talk to me
He looked me straight in the eyes
He said, you're no son, you're no son of mine
You're no son, you're no son of mine
You walked out, you left us behind
And you're no son, you're no son of mine
Oh, his words how they hurt, I'll never forget it
And as the time, it went by, I lived to regret it
You're no son, you're no son of mine
But where should I go, and what should I do
You're no son, you're no son of mine
But I came here for help, oh I came here for you
Well the years, they passed so slowly
I thought about him every day
What would I do if we passed on the street
Would I keep running away
In and out of hiding places
Soon I'd have to face the facts
We'd have to sit down and talk it over
And that would mean going back
They say that time is a healer
And now my wounds are not the same
But I rang the bell with my heart in my mouth
I had to hear what he'd say
He sat me down to talk to me
And he looked me straight in the eyes
He said, you're no son, you're no son of mine
You're no son, you're no son of mine
When you walked out, you left us behind
And you're no son, you're no son of mine
Oh, his words how they hurt, I'll never forget it
And as the time, it went by, I lived to regret it
You're no son, you're no son of mine
But where should I go, and what should I do
You're no son, you're no son of mine
But I came here for help, oh I was looking for you
You're no son, you're no son of mine, no
02 I Can't Dance (04:00)
hot sun beating down
burning my feet just walking around
hot sun making me sweat
gators getting close, hasn't got me yet
I can't dance, I can't talk.
only thing about me is the way I walk
I can't dance, I can't sing
I m just standing here selling
everything.
blue jeans sitting on the beach,
her dogs talking to me, but she's
out of reach.
she's got a body under that shirt,
but all she wants to do is rub my face in the dirt.
'cos, I can't dance, I can't talk,
only thing about me is the way I walk.
I can't dance, I can't sing,
I'm just standing here selling.
oh i'm checking everything is in place,
you never know who's looking on.
young punk spilling beer on my shoes,
fat guy's talking to me trying to steal my blues.
thick smoke, see her smiling through;
I never thought so much could happen just shooting pool.
but I can't dance, I can't talk
the only thing about me is the way that I walk
I can't dance, I can't sing
I'm just standing here selling,
oh i'm checking everything is in place
you never know who's looking on
the perfect body with a perfect face
no, I can't dance, I can't talk
the only thing about me is the way I walk
no, I can't dance, I can't sing
I'm just standing here selling everything
but i can walk
no, I can't dance
no, no, no I can't dance
no, I said I can't sing
but i... (fades)
03 Jesus He Knows Me (04:17)
D'you see the face on the TV screen
Coming at you every Sunday
See the face on the billboard
That man is me
On the cover of the magazine
There's no question why I'm smiling
You buy a piece of paradise
You buy a piece of me
I'll get you everything you wanted
I'll get you everything you need
You don't need to believe in hereafter
Just believe in me
Cause Jesus, he knows me
And he knows I'm right
I've been talking to Jesus all my life
Oh yes, he knows me
And he knows I'm right
And he's been telling me
Everything is alright
I believe in the family
With my ever loving wife beside me
But she don't know about my girlfriend
Or the man I met last night
Do you believe in God
Cause that is what I'm selling
And if you wanna get to heaven
I'll see you right
You won't even have to leave your house
Or get out of your chair
You don't even have to touch that dial
Cause I'm everywhere
And Jesus he knows me
And he knows I'm right
I've been talking to Jesus all my life
Oh yes, he knows me
And he knows I'm right
Well, he's been telling me
Everything's gonna be alright
Won't find me practising what I'm preaching
Won't find me making no sacrifice
But I can get you a pocketful of miracles
If you promise to be good, try to be nice
God will take good care of you
Just do as I say, don't do as I do
I'm counting my blessings,
Cause I've found true happiness
Cause I'm getting richer, day by day
You can find me in the phone book
Just call my toll-free number
You can do it anyway you want
Just do it right away
There'll be no doubt in your mind
You'll believe everything I'm saying
If wanna get closer to Him
Get on your knees and start paying
Cause Jesus, he knows me
And he knows I'm right
I've been talking to Jesus all my life
Oh yes, he knows me
And he knows I'm right
Well, he's been telling me
Everything's gonna be alright
Cause Jesus
And he knows I'm right
Ooh yes, he knows me
And he knows I'm right
I've been talking to Jesus all my life
And he's been telling me
Everything's gonna be alright
04 Hold on My Heart (04:37)
Hold on my heart
Just hold on to that feeling
We both know we've been here before
We both know what can happen
Hold on my heart
'Cause I'm looking over your shoulder
Ooh please don't rush in this time
Don't show her how you feel
Hold on my heart
Throw me a lifeline
I'll keep a place for you
Somewhere deep inside
So hold on my heart
Please tell her to be patient
'Cause there has never been a time
That I wanted something more
If I can recall this feeling
And I know there's a chance
Oh I will be there
Yes I will be there
Be there for you
Whenever you want me to
Whenever you call
Oh I will be there
Yes I will be there
Hold on my heart
Don't let her see you crying
No matter where I go
She'll always be with me
So hold on my heart
Just hold on to that feeling
We both know we've been here before
We both know what can happen
So hold on my heart
Just hold on my heart
Hold on my heart...
05 Invisible Touch (03:28)
Well I've been waiting, waiting here so long
But thinking nothing, nothing could go wrong
Well now I know
She has a built-in ability
To take everything she sees
And now it seems I'm falling, falling for her
She seems to have an invisible touch, yeah
She reaches in and grabs right hold of your heart
She seems to have an invisible touch, yeah
It takes control and slowly tears you apart
Well I don't really know her, I only know her name
But she crawls under your skin, you're never quite the same
And now I know
She's got something you just can't trust
And it's something mysterious
And now it seems I'm falling, falling for her
She seems to have an invisible touch, yeah
She reaches in and grabs right hold of your heart
She seems to have an invisible touch, yeah
It takes control and slowly tears you apart
She seems to have an invisible touch, yeah
She reaches in and grabs right hold of your heart
She seems to have an invisible touch, yeah
It takes control and slowly tears you apart
Well she don't like losing, to her it's still a game
And though she will mess up your life, you'll want her just the same
And now I know
She has a built-in ability
To take everything she sees
And now it seems I've fallen, fallen for her
She seems to have an invisible touch, yeah
She reaches in and grabs right hold of your heart
She seems to have an invisible touch, yeah
It takes control and slowly tears you apart
She seems to have an invisible touch, yeah
She seems to have an invisible touch, oh
She seems to have an invisible touch, yeah
She seems to have an invisible touch, oh
She seems to have an invisible touch, yeah
She seems to have an invisible touch, oh
She seems to have an invisible touch, yeah
She seems to have an invisible touch
06 Throwing It All Away (03:50)
Need I say I love you?
Need I say I care?
Need I say that emotions,
Are something we don't share?
I don't want to be sitting here,
Trying to deceive you
Cuz you know I know baby
That I don't wanna go
We can not live together
We can not live apart
And that's the situation
We've known it from the start
Every time that I look at you,
I can see the future
Cuz you know I know baby
That I don't wanna go
Just throwing it all away
Throwing it all away
Is there nothing that I can say,
To make you change your mind?
I watch the world go round & round
And see mine turnin' upside down
Throwing it all away
Now who will light up your darkness?
And who will hold your hand?
Who will find you the answers,
When you don't understand?
Why should I have to be the one,
Who has to convince you?
Cuz you know I know baby,
That I don't wanna go
Then some day you'll be sorry
Some day when you're free
Memories will remind you,
That our love was meant to be
But late at night when you call my name,
The only sound you'll hear
Is the sound of your voice calling,
Calling out to me
Just throwing it all away
Throwing it all away
And there's nothing that I can say
Hey......
We're throwing it all away
Just a throwing it all away
Just a throwing it all away
08 Land of Confusion (04:46)
I must've dreamed a thousand dreams,
Been haunted by a million screams.
But I can hear the marching feet,
They're moving into the street.
Now did you read the news today?
They say the danger's gone away.
But I can see the fire's still alight,
Burning into the night.
There's too many men, too many people,
Making too many problems,
And not much love to go round,
Can't you see this is the land of confusion.
This is the world we live in,
And these are the hands we're given.
Use them and let's start trying,
To make it a place worth living in.
Oh Superman where are you now?
Everything's gone wrong somehow.
The men of steel, men of power,
Are losing, control by the hour.
This is the time, this is the place,
So we look for the future,
But there's not much love to go round.
Tell me why this is the land of confusion?
This is the world we live in,
And these are the hands we're given.
Use them and let's start trying,
To make it a place worth living in.
I remember long ago,
Oh when the sun was shining,
And the stars were bright, all through the night,
And the sound of your laughter, as I held you tight.
So long ago.
I won't be coming home tonight,
My generation, will put it right.
We're not just making promises,
That we know, we'll never keep
There's too many men, there's too many people,
Making too many problems,
And not much love to go round.
Can't you see this is the land of confusion?
This is the world we live in,
And these are the hands we're given.
Use them and let's start trying,
To make it a place worth fighting for.
This is the world we live in,
And these are the names we're given.
Stand up and let's start showing,
Just where our lives are going to.
09 In Too Deep (04:56)
All the time I was searching
Nowhere to run to
It started me thinking
Wondering what I could make of my life
And who'd be waiting
Asking all kinds of questions to myself
But never finding the answers
Crying at the top of my lungs
But no-one listening
All this time
I still remember everything you said
There's so much you promised
How could I ever forget
Listen
You know I love you but I just can't take this
You know I love you but I'm playing for keeps
Although I need you I'm not gonna make this
You know I want to but I'm in too deep
So listen, listen to me
Oh you must believe me
I can feel your eyes go thru me
But I don't know why
Oh I know you're going
But I can't believe
It's the way that you're leaving
It's like we never knew each other at all
It may be my fault
I gave you too many reasons for being alone
When I didn't want to
I thought you'd always be there
I almost believed you
All this time
I still remember everything you said
There's so much you promised
How could I ever forget
Listen
You know I love you...
So listen, listen to me
I can feel your eyes go thru me
It seems I've spent too long
Only thinking about myself
Now I want to spend my life
Just caring bout somebody else
Listen
You know I love you...
10 Mama (06:48)
I can't see you mama
But I can hardly wait
Oh to touch and to feel you mama
Oh I just can't keep away
In the heat and the steam of the city
Oh its got me running and I just can't brake
So say you'll help me mama
'Cause its getting so hard - oh
Now I can't keep you mama
But I know you're always there
You listen, you teach me mama
And I know inside you care
So get down, down here beside me
Oh you ain't going nowhere
No I won't hurt you mama
But its getting so hard - oh
Ha ha, ha, ha ha, ha, argh
Ha ha, ha, ha ha, ha, argh
Can't you see me here mama
Mama mama mama please
Can't you feel my heart
Can't you feel my heart
Can't you feel my heart oh
Now listen to me mama
Mama mama
You're taking away my last chance
Don't take it away
Can't you feel my heart?
Ha ha, ha, ha ha, ha, argh
It's hot, too hot for me mama
But I can hardly wait
My eyes they're burning mama
And I can feel my body shake
Don't stop, don't stop me mama
Oh make the pain, make it go away - hey
No I won't hurt you mama
But its getting so hard - oh
Now I can't see you mama
But I know you're always there
You taunt, you tease me mama
But I never never can keep away
It's the heat and the steam of the city
Oh got me running and I just can't brake
So stay don't leave me mama
'Cause its getting so hard - oh
Don't go no no, don't go
No no no, don't go...
11 That's All (04:25)
Just as I thought it was going alright
I find out I'm wrong, when I thought I was right
S'always the same, it's just a shame, that's all
I could say day, and you'd say night
Tell me it's black when I know that it's white
Always the same, it's just a shame, that's all
I could leave but I won't go
Though my heart might tell me so
I can't feel a thing from my head down to my toes
But why does it always seem to be
Me looking at you, you looking at me
It's always the same, it's just a shame, that's all
Turning me on, turning me off,
Making me feel like I want too much
Living with you's just putting me through it all of the time
Running around, staying out all night
Taking it all instead of taking one bite
Living with you's just putting me through it all of the time
I could leave but I won't go
Well it'd be easier I know
I can't feel a thing from my head down to my toes
Why does it always seem to be
Me looking at you, you looking at me
It's always the same, it's just a shame, that's all
Truth is I love you
More than I wanted to
There's no point in trying to pretend
There's been no-one who
Makes me feel like you do
Say we'll be together 'till the end
I could leave but I won't go
It'd be easier I know
I can't feel a thing from my head down to my toes
So why does it always seem to be
Me looking at you, you looking at me
It's always the same, it's just a shame, that's all
But I love you
More than I wanted to
There's no point in trying to pretend
There's been no-one who
Makes me feel like you do
Say we'll be together 'till the end
But just as I thought it was going alright
I find out I'm wrong when I thought I was right
It's always the same, it's just a shame, that's all
Well I could say day, and you'd say night
Tell me it's black when I know that it's white
It's always the same, it's just a shame, that's all
That's all
12 Home by the Sea (05:07)
Creeping up the blind side, shinning up the wall
stealing through the dark of night
Climbing through a window, stepping to the floor
checking to the left and the right
Picking up the pieces, putting them away
something doesn't feel quite right
Help me someone, let me out of here
then out of the dark was suddenly heard
"Welcome to the Home by the Sea"
Coming out the woodwork, through the open door
pushing from above and below
Shadows with no substance, in the shape of men
round and down and sideways they go
Adrift without direction, eyes that hold despair
then as one they sigh and they moan
Help us someone, let us out of here
Living here so long undisturbed
dreaming of the time we were free
so many years ago
before the time when we first heard
"Welcome to the Home by the Sea"
Sit down...Sit down
As we relive our lives in what we tell you
Images of sorrow, pictures of delight
things that go to make up a life
Endless days of summer, longer nights of gloom
waiting for the morning light
Scenes of unimportance, photos in a frame
things that go to make up a life
Help us someone, let us out of here
Living here so long undisturbed
dreaming of the time we were free
so many years ago
before the time when we first heard
"Welcome to the Home by the Sea"
Sit down...Sit down
as we relive our lives in what we tell you
let us relive our lives in what we tell you
Sit down...Sit down
Cause you won't get away
no with us you will stay
for the rest of your days. So sit down
As we relive our lives in what we tell you
Let us relive our lives in what we tell you
14 Illegal Alien (05:17)
Woke up in the morning staggered out of bed
Thought about getting back again, but went downstairs instead
Read the daily paper have to know the truth
Slammed the door as I ran outside, looked at my watch and cried
Gotta get to work on time
Gotta get to work on time
Then the sky turned a deeper blue
Not a cloud as the sun shone through
But all around rain kept falling to the ground
The wind was blowing but the trees didn't make a sound
Just another alien afternoon
Just another alien afternoon
Time that I was leaving while there's still a chance
Before I start believing in what I see or hear
Nothing here to keep me, nothing anywhere
Gotta get out pack my bags before I go insane
Gotta get away in time
Gotta get away in time
Then the sky turned from blue to green
Took on colours I have never seen
Then a sound started ringing in my ears
I heard voices but in truth there's nobody there
Just another alien afternoon
Just another alien afternoon
To be there back where I belong
To feel again the wind upon my face
To see again all that I took for granted
All that I left and everything I knew
We are home
We are your home
We are all your home
Not another alien afternoon
Never more to go wandering
Never leaving my world behind
There was never a reason
To leave my heart and my home behind
Where I was born is where I should be now
I would never be lonely
I would never be sad again
I wanted to go anywhere
I wanted to see how strange it all could be
Nothing would ever take me away again
Never more to go wandering
Never leaving my world behind
No, no, no, no
Nothing will ever take me away again, away again
No, no, no, no
15 Paperlate (03:23)
Paperlate paperlate
Paperlate paperlate
Paperlate, oh I'm sorry but there is no one on the line
Paperlate, oh I'm sorry but rest easy no news is good news
Ooh it's too easy to live like clockwork
Tick tock watching the world go by
Any change would take too long
So dry your eyes
Ooh it's too easy to live in a cold sweat
Just sitting dripping in pools below
You can wipe your face
Kill the pain
But the fever won't go, no no
Paperlate
Pull it together now
Put your feet back on the ground
Paperlate
Ooh don't worry now
You're not alone
Look around you
Paperlate
Ooh I'm sorry but there's no one on the line
Paperlate
Ooh I'm sorry but rest easy no news is good news
Ooh it's too easy to compute your future
Taking no risks and playing too safe
Any change would take too long
So dry your eyes
Ooh it's too easy to talk about rocking the boat
Making changes and changing track
But you'd better not lock that door
Cos you'll be coming back
Ah you're breathing faster
Silence the only sound
There's no need to be nice on the way up
Cos you're not coming down
Paperlate paperlate
Paperlate paperlate
Paperlate paperlate
Paperlate paperlate
Paperlate
Ooh I'm sorry but there's no one on the line
Paperlate
Oh I'm sorry but rest easy no news is good news...
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By Old King Cole
For the Genesis, it is as absurd, useless, and insulting as one can imagine.
Every Genesis song (those with Peter) makes sense when listened to in a well-determined concept... They are songs that have no meaning stuck inside a 'The Best Of'.
