Premetto che "Foxtrot" è a mio avviso il miglior album di tutti i tempi, ma andiamo per passi.
La Carriera dei Genesis nasce quando le ricche famiglie di Peter Gabriel e soci li mandano a studiare in un istituto privato londinese, dove si conoscono e formano i Genesis, i cui primi componenti sono: Peter Gabriel, Tony Banks, Mike Rutheford e Antony Phillips. Il primo cd, causa l'influenza del produttore Jonathan King, è piuttosto commerciale, nonostante l'imponenza dell'idea: un concept album sull'antico testamento. Il risultato è un cd molto altalenante, che alterna, nelle sue brevissime composizioni, momenti pop e momenti fin troppo pomposi causa di un grosso utilizzo dei fiati (strumenti che i Genesis impareranno ad usare molto meglio in seguito).
Il secondo album, "Trespass", mostra un netto miglioramento, con canzoni molto belle come "Looking for Someone", "Stagnation", e ovviamente "The Knife", che, oltre che diventare uno dei brani di maggior successo della band, diventerà la canzone di chiusura di tutti i concerti, almeno fino all'addio di Gabriel. Subito dopo arriva alla batteria Phil Collins e alla chitarra Steve Hackett ed esce un album ancora migliore: "Nursery Crime", nel quale i Genesis piazzano 7 ottime canzoni, tra le quali spiccano "The Musical Box", "Seven Stones" e "The Fountain of Salmacis".
Come migliorare un cd già così bello? I Genesis ci riescono con il successivo "Foxtrot", geniale già dalla copertina, non priva di sottili riferimenti al vero senso (a dir poco amoroso) delle composizioni dell'album. La prima canzone è "Watcher of the Skies", una canzone molto variegata che dopo un ottimo inizio musicale sfocia in un altrettanto piacevole rock, prima di chiudersi con un nuovo crescendo strumentale, forse la parte più bella della canzone. Segue una corta ma straordinaria canzone: "Time Table", anch'esso con un meraviglioso crescendo d'intensità al suo interno. Dopo arriva la parte meno perfetta dell Lp, con due, seppur ottime, canzoni che non riescono (almeno secondo la mia opinione) a raggiungere il livello delle altre: la rockeggiante "Get 'Em out by Friday" e la più elegante "Can utility and the Coastliners" che può ricordare i brani dell'album precedente, e ci regala un meraviglioso Mellotron. La seconda facciata si apre con la brevissima (1:38) ma piacevole "Horizons" brano suonato solo dalla chitarra di Hackett, ispirato ad una suite per violoncello di Johann Sebastian Bach.
Il cd si chiude con una canzone, o per meglio dire, una suite, che da sola potrebbe conferire le 5 stellette all'album: "Supper's Ready", la canzone per eccellenza dei Genesis. Il brano (ispirato ad un evento realmente successo a casa di Gabriel e la sua allora moglie) si apre con una parte quasi parlata di Peter Gabriel con la moglie, e l'avventura inizia con la frase "I Swear i Saw Your Face Change" (Io giuro di aver visto il tuo volto cambiare) e ci spedisce in un viaggio mitologico religioso, attraverso le sette parti del brano. Nella seconda, "The Guaranteed Eternal Sanctuary Man" (l'uomo che garantiva il santuario eterno), che parla dell'antipatico capo di una religione scientifica (una sorta di antagonista di Gesù Cristo, afferma Gabriel) che riteneva di conoscere il segreto di domare il fuoco. Dopo un breve coro di ragazzi si apre la terza parte, "Ikhnaton e Itsacon and their Band of Marry Man" riferito a due uomini, ancora una volta figure negative, che "ammazzavano per la pace" (killing for peace). La parte quarta, "How I Dare I Be So Beautiful?" (Come Oso Essere Così Bello?) è riferito al mito di Ermafrodito (ancora ambiguità) e, con la sua ultima frase, anzi, parola, "A Flower", ci introduce in quello che è forse la parte, musicalmente parlando, più bella dell'album (e di conseguenza della musica stessa), la parte 5, "Willow Farm" (La Fattoria di Willow) nella sua prima parte, la più frenetica, difficile da classificare in un genere preciso, ma si può dire con certezza che presenta la perfezione assoluta di chitarra e batteria. Più pop, ma non per questo meno bella, la seconda parte, separate da un "All Change!" (Tutto cambia!). In questa parte i due innamorati della parte 1 vengono risucchiati nella stesso lago in cui fu risucchiato Narciso, e si ritrovano in un mondo folle e surreale. Il tutto ci porta alla parte più intensa della suite: "Apocalypse in 9/8" (Apocalisse il 9/8) che fa appunto riferimento al racconto biblico dell'apostolo Giovanni. Si tratta di un brano (come dice anche il titolo) strutturato su tempi dispari, che provoca una tensione enorme: il mondo è in pericolo "Dragons coming out of the sea" (Draghi escono fuori dal mare) e il diavolo sta giungendo "666, is no longer alone" (666 non sarà più solo a lungo). Tuttavia l'irruzione del demonio è effimera: viene sconfitto e, nella settima e ultima parte, "As Sure as Egg is Egg" "Tanto Sicuro Come un Uovo è un Uovo" la canzone lascia intendere la morale: il bene è la via da seguire.
A Conti fatti, questo album rappresenta la piena maturità artistica del gruppo inglese, "Foxtrot" è un capolavoro assoluto che solo "Selling England by the Pound" riuscirà ad avvicinare.
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 Breus
"Foxtrot rappresenta la chiave della loro maturità, che avrebbe perfezionato contenuti e stile nei successivi lavori."
"Il monumentale mosaico mistico-profetico di 'Supper's Ready' resta uno dei migliori titoli dell’intera discografia dei Genesis."
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.
