Quando si parla di Genesis e degli album storici che firmarono nella prima metà degli anni '70 bisogna sempre muoversi coi piedi di piombo, perchè gli esegeti della band ti aspettano al varco, pronti a mazziarti (o a cazziarti) se ogni dettaglio non quadra
Diciamo pure che "Foxtrot" da buona parte dei fans e dei cultori è considerato in assoluto il capolavoro della formazione storica di Gabriel e soci, anche se io in verità preferisco "The lamb" per svariate ragioni musicali e concettuali. Per cui vorrei evidenziare che la mia opnione, pur imparziale, resta un punto di vista. Non me ne vogliano i foxtrottiani se dico che "Foxtrot" ha ancora qualche acerbità di troppo per poter essere l'apice della loro creatività. Tuttavia rappresenta la chiave della loro maturità, che avrebbe perfezionato contenuti e stile nei successivi lavori "Selling England by The Pound" e "The Lamb Lies Down on Brodway", per l'appunto
"Foxtrot" evolve le tematiche dei lavori precedenti, peraltro, e ne contiene ancora tracce soprattutto nella evocazione metafisica di alcuni testi e nella stesura dei brani, che oscillano tra un consolidamento della forma-canzone più tipica e la struttura della suite in più movimenti. Tastiere omnipresenti, come si conviene ad un team che stava ai vertici della cultura prog-rock; chitarre mai realmente virtuose; voce al massimo dell'interpretazione, sebbene non ancora teatralizzata come nella tortuosa e onirica narrazione delle vicende di Rael. Ingredienti validi e finalmente dotati di identità sul piano strettamente sonoro, ma sofferenti di una certa piattezza sicuramente dovuta ai sistemi di registrazione e soprattutto alla qualità degli strumenti utilizzati. Questi ultimi, infatti, non godono di una post-produzione particolarmente ricercata e ciò che si troverà successivamente (fino all'intervento di Eno in "The Lamb" con conseguenti ripicche nella leadership della band) qui non ha ancora spessore.
La batteria, ad esempio, risulta meno efficace a causa di un'aura di riverberazione scarsa, quasi Collins avesse usato pelli scadenti. Idem nei sintetizzatori di Banks, ancora troppo esili e monofonici, ancora troppo poco corali. Andiamo a fare una macro sull'assolo di organo verso la fine di "Supper's Ready", dove il lungo fraseggio sulla tastiera sembra prodotto da un giocattolo; o sull'analogo organo che saltella nell'incipit di "Get'em out by Friday". Qui Tony Banks aspirava sofferente di certo alle ben più pasciute sonorità dei lavori del '73 e del '74, dove l'amalgama strumentale avrebbe goduto di rifiniture ad ampio spettro, con risultati realmente accattivanti. Meglio allora il sicuro rifugio del pianoforte tradizionale, che fa capolino in "Time Table" con un approccio realmente neo-romantico e finanche credibile.
Non per mettere sulle braci paragoni che potrebbero indurre un'ischemia a qualcuno... ma il coevo album dei Pink Floyd quanto a produzione del suono era sicuramente più avanti.
Ciò che invece dà già segni di lampante coronamento artistico è la scrittura di Gabriel: non certo gloriosa nel brano di apertura o nella vagheggiate reminiscenze cavalleresche di "Time Table" (pezzo peraltro delicatissimo e malinconico), bensì nel monumentale mosaico mistico-profetico di "Supper's Ready", che per quanto dilatato nella sua cripticità lirica e sonora risulta a tutt'oggi uno dei migliori titoli dell'intera discografia dei Genesis (per alcuni il migliore). E per quanto ci siano delle lacune anche qui dentro - vedi assolo di cui sopra sul piano timbrico - l'atmosfera è talmente coinvolgente e inquietante che viene spontaneo sognare una versione in studio rifatta due anni dopo alla maniera di "The Lamb"... una libidine assoluta.
"Supper's Ready" contiene in nuce tutto quanto Gabriel e soci avevano da dire e che avrebbero detto poi, dando un saggio di capacità più che tecniche direi intuitive. I 22 minuti e rotti si snodano senza soluzione di continuità lungo il percorso che diventò tipicamente Genesis: tra favola, evocazione, simbolismo e suggestione, con un alternarsi di emozioni rarissimo in dischi analoghi di quell'epoca.
In mezzo le divagazioni delle tracce 3 e 4, che pur non memorabili come la zuppa, offrono spunti più originali della successiva "More Fool Me" (sic!)... e poi la splendida perla di "Horizons", che resta quasi emarginata a far da apertura alla zuppa e pure ha una sua autonomia incantevole e rivela che qualcuno, rispetto alle prime prove live dove certo non si brillava per virtuosismo, era diventato bravo con le mani.
Ultima nota sulla copertina, che a me non è mai piaciuta nell'esecuzione, sebbene l'idea sia buona e tenga fede alla falsariga illustrativa di "Nursery Crime". Del resto i Genesis per le copertine non hanno mai fatto sfracelli. Ma questa è veramente un'opinione molto personale.
Elenco tracce testi samples e video
01 Watcher of the Skies (07:22)
Watcher of the skies watcher of all,
his is a world alone no world is his own.
He whom life can no longer surprise,
raising his eyes beholds a planet unknown.
Creatures shaped this planet's soil,
now their reign has come to an end.
Has life again destroyed life,
do they play elsewhere, do they know
more than their childhood games?
Maybe the lizard's shed its tail,
this is the end of man's long union with Earth.
Judge not this race by empty remains.
Do you judge God by his creatures when they are dead?
For now, the lizard's shed it's tail,
this is the end of man's long union with Earth.
From life alone to life as one,
think not your journey's done.
For though your ship be sturdy,
no mercy has the sea.
Will you survive on the ocean of being?
Come ancient children hear what I say,
this is my parting council for you on your way.
Sadly now your thoughts turn to the stars.
Where we have gone you know you never can go.
Watcher of the skies watcher of all,
this is your fate alone, this fate is your own.
03 Get 'em Out by Friday (08:36)
JOHN PEBBLE OF STYX ENTERPRISES
"Get `em out by Friday!
You don`t get paid till the last one`s well on his way.
Get `em out by Friday!
It`s important that we keep to schedule, there must be no delay."
MARK HALL OF STYX ENTERPRISES (OTHERWISE KNOWN
AS "THE WINKLER")
"I represent a firm of gentlemen who recently purchased this
house and all the others in the road.
In the interest of humanity we`ve found a better place for you to
go-go-go-go-go."
MRS BARROW (a tenant)
"Oh no, this I can`t believe,
Oh Mary, they`re asking us to leave."
MR PEBBLE
"Get `em out by Friday!
I`ve told you before`s good many gone, if we let them stay.
And if it isn`t easy,
You can squeeze a little grease and our troubles will soon run away."
MRS BARROW
"After all this time they ask us to leave,
And I told them we could pay double the rent.
I don`t know why it seemed so funny,
Seeing ashow they`d take our money.
The winkler called again, he came here this morning,
With four houndred pounds and a photograph of the place that he has
found.
A block of flats with central heating.
I think we`re gonna find it hard."
MR PEBBLE
"Now we`ve got them!
I`ve always said that cash cash cash can do anything well.
Work can be rewarding
When a flash of intuition is a gift that helps you excel-sell-sell-sell."
MR HALL
"Here we are in Harlow New Town, did you recognice your
block across the square, over there,
Sadly since last time we spoke, we`ve found we`ve had to raise
the rent again, just a bit."
MRS BARROW
"Oh no, this I can`t believe
Oh Mary, and we agreed to leave."
.....
18/9/2012 TV FLASH ON ALL DIAL-A-PROGRAM SERVICES
This is an announcement from Genetic Control:
"It is my sad duty to inform you of a 4ft restriction
on humanoid height."
EXTRACT FROM CONVERSATION OF JOE ORDINARY IN LOCAL
PUBORAMA
"I hear the directors of Genetic Control have been buying all the
properties that have recently been sold, taking risks oh so bold.
It is said now that people will be shorter in height, they can fit
twice as many in the same building site
(they say it`s alright),
Beginning with the tenants of the town of Harlow,
In the interest of humanity they`ve been told they must go,
Told they must go-go-go-go."
SIR JOHN DE PEBBLE OF UNITED BLACKSPRINGS INTERNATIONAL
"I think they`ve reached a new deal
A dozen properties - we`ll buy at five and sell at thirty-four,
Some are still inhabited,
It`s time to send the winkler to see them, he`ll have to work
some more."
MEMO FROM SATIN PETER OF ROCK DEVELOPMENTS LTD
Land in your hand you`ll be happy on earth
Then invest in the Church for your heaven.
06 Supper's Ready (22:50)
"LOVER'S LEAP"
Walking across the sitting-room, I turn the television off.
Sitting beside you, I look into your eyes.
As the sound of motor cars fades in the night time,
I swear I saw your face change, it didn't seem quite right.
...And it's hello babe with your guardian eyes so blue
Hey my baby don't you know our love is true.
Coming closer with our eyes, a distance falls around our bodies.
Out in the garden, the moon seems very bright,
Six saintly shrouded men move across the lawn slowly.
The seventh walks in front with a cross held high in hand.
...And it's hey babe your supper's waiting for you.
Hey my baby, don't you know our love is true.
I've been so far from here,
Far from your warm arms.
It's good to feel you again,
It's been a long long time. Hasn't it?
"THE GUARANTEED ETERNAL SANCTUARY MAN"
I know a farmer who looks after the farm.
With water clear, he cares for all his harvest.
I know a fireman who looks after the fire.
You, can't you see he's fooled you all.
Yes, he's here again, can't you see he's fooled you all.
Share his peace,
Sign the lease.
He's a supersonic scientist,
He's the guaranteed eternal sanctuary man.
Look, look into my mouth he cries,
And all the children lost down many paths,
I bet my life you'll walk inside
Hand in hand,
gland in gland
With a spoonful of miracle,
He's the guaranteed eternal sanctuary.
We will rock you, rock you little snake,
We will keep you snug and warm.
"IKHNATON AND ITSACON AND THEIR BAND OF MERRY MEN"
Wearing feelings on our faces while our faces took a rest,
We walked across the fields to see the children of the West,
But we saw a host of dark skinned warriors
standing still below the ground,
Waiting for battle.
The fight's begun, they've been released.
Killing foe for peace...bang, bang, bang. Bang, bang, bang...
And they're giving me a wonderful potion,
'Cos I cannot contain my emotion.
And even though I'm feeling good,
Something tells me I'd better activate my prayer capsule.
Today's a day to celebrate, the foe have met their fate.
The order for rejoicing and dancing has come from our warlord.
"HOW DARE I BE SO BEAUTIFUL?"
Wandering through the chaos the battle has left,
We climb up a mountain of human flesh,
To a plateau of green grass, and green trees full of life.
A young figure sits still by a pool,
He's been stamped "Human Bacon" by some butchery tool.
(He is you)
Social Security took care of this lad.
We watch in reverence, as Narcissus is turned to a flower.
A flower?
"WILLOW FARM"
If you go down to Willow Farm,
to look for butterflies, flutterbyes, gutterflies
Open your eyes, it's full of surprise, everyone lies,
like the fox on the rocks,
and the musical box.
Oh, there's Mum & Dad, and good and bad,
and everyone's happy to be here.
There's Winston Churchill dressed in drag,
he used to be a British flag, plastic bag, what a drag.
The frog was a prince, the prince was a brick, the brick was an egg,
the egg was a bird.
(Fly away you sweet little thing, they're hard on your tail)
Hadn't you heard?
(They're going to change you into a human being!)
Yes, we're happy as fish and gorgeous as geese,
and wonderfully clean in the morning.
We've got everything, we're growing everything,
We've got some in
We've got some out
We've got some wild things floating about
Everyone, we're changing everyone,
you name them all,
We've had them here,
And the real stars are still to appear.
ALL CHANGE!
Feel your body melt;
Mum to mud to mad to dad
Dad diddley office, Dad diddley office,
You're all full of ball.
Dad to dam to dum to mum
Mum diddley washing, Mum diddley washing,
You're all full of ball.
Let me hear you lies, we're living this up to the eyes.
Ooee-ooee-ooee-oowaa
Momma I want you now.
And as you listen to my voice
To look for hidden doors, tidy floors, more applause.
You've been here all the time,
Like it or not, like what you got,
You're under the soil (the soil, the soil),
Yes, deep in the soil (the soil, the soil, the soil, the soil!).
So we'll end with a whistle and end with a bang
and all of us fit in our places.
"APOCALYPSE IN 9/8 (Co-Starring the delicious talents of Gabble Ratchet)"
With the guards of Magog, swarming around,
The Pied Piper takes his children underground.
Dragons coming out of the sea,
Shimmering silver head of wisdom looking at me.
He brings down the fire from the skies,
You can tell he's doing well by the look in human eyes.
Better not compromise.
It won't be easy.
666 is no longer alone,
He's getting out the marrow in your back bone,
And the seven trumpets blowing sweet rock and roll,
Gonna blow right down inside your soul.
Pythagoras with the looking glass reflects the full moon,
In blood, he's writing the lyrics of a brand new tune.
And it's hey babe, with your guardian eyes so blue,
Hey my baby, don't you know our love is true,
I've been so far from here,
Far from your loving arms,
Now I'm back again, and babe it's gonna work out fine.
"AS SURE AS EGGS IS EGGS (Aching Men's Feet)"
Can't you feel our souls ignite
Shedding ever changing colours, in the darkness of the fading night,
Like the river joins the ocean, as the germ in a seed grows
We have finally been freed to get back home.
There's an angel standing in the sun, and he's crying with a loud voice,
"This is the supper of the mighty one",
Lord of Lords,
King of Kings,
Has returned to lead his children home,
To take them to the new Jerusalem.
Carico i commenti... con calma
Altre recensioni
Di Peppe Weapon
"Supper's Ready è forse la massima espressione della creatività Genesisiana, con una suite che rientra tra le leggende dell'epoca."
"Se amate i Genesis e non avete questo album, compratelo immediatamente."
Di joe strummer
Foxtrot è la bibbia del progressive insieme a pochi altri dischi.
Supper’s Ready è la canzone più bella mai fatta dai Genesis, così intensa, coerente ed immensa da emozionare.
Di theJOKES
Stendete un telone da mare sulla spiaggia, guardate il cielo, e premete PLAY... le note del disco faranno il resto!!!
'Supper’s Ready' conferma la capacità della band di impressionare gli ascoltatori con cambi di ritmo e combinazioni di strumenti a livelli magistrali.
Di STIPE
Mi addentrai all’improvviso in un tempo lontano ma molto affascinante.
Ora i cani non tentavano nemmeno di andare a catturare la volpe. Lei stava sopra il pezzo di ghiaccio tranquilla, e iniziò a danzare in maniera molto dolce e soave.
Di Intermdiario
"Personalmente considero 'Watcher of the skies' la canzone più bella che sia mai stata scritta."
"'Supper's ready' è un vero film da vedere ad occhi chiusi, grazie alla potenza e versatilità delle invenzioni sonore."
