Nel 2004 i Genesis, o piuttosto il loro management, se ne escono con questa Platinum Collection in tre dischi che succede di cinque anni l'inutile e sfacciato Turn It On Again - The Hits. E' un viaggio all'indietro nel tempo per scoprire (o riscoprire) la storia di questa grande band, partendo dai grandi e friabili successi di classifica fino ai primi, indimenticabili classici; un'operazione sicuramente commerciale ma che si presenta di un qualche interesse, soprattutto per i neofiti. C'è da dire che io possiedo una copia originale della Platinum (tra l'altro secondo me molto sobria ed elegante nella vaste grafica), comprata a Livigno per undici Euro quando possedevo già tutti i dischi della band: la impiego con un certo successo per fare proseliti ed erudire gli amici. Il principale motivo di interesse per i genesiani è che la metà dei brani (precisamente 22 su 40) sono stati remixati e restaurati con sapienza dal bravo Nick Davis: questo ci premette di riscoprire, per esempio, la magia di The Musical Box e The Knife come mai le avevamo sentite prima, ma ridona anche un considerevole impatto a brani del nuovo corso di buona caratura come la potente Abacab, la romantica Undertow o la trascinante Turn It On Again, resi molto più accattivanti.
Il primo disco consacra il ventre molle dei Genesis, il lato dolente, contraddistinto da un'arida vena creativa e da un'eccessiva cura per i risultati di classifica. E' presente il peggio di questa fase, e le poche cose buone si posso trovare nel primo brano, la bella No Son Of Mine, e nei pezzi più lunghi del lavoro dell'83. Ci sono due "intrusi", ossia la mediocre Paperlate dall'EP 3x3 e la title-track del tanto odiato Calling All Station; pochi si sono degnati di ascoltare quest'album senza stroncarlo a priori, e io trovo che tutto sommato si tratta di un lavoro storicamente poco felice ma ben fatto e non del tutto detestabile. Credo sia giusto ricordarlo.
Il secondo cd riunisce materiale dei Genesis a Tre e Quattro ruote; si fotografa la svolta verso forme più dirette, ma si nota comunque che la qualità è sufficientemente alta. Ci sono molte assenze eccellenti, per esempio Dodo, Dance On A Volcano oppure la magnifica One For The Vine, e nonostante gravi cadute di tono (Misunderstanding e Keep It Dark) la scelta funziona piuttosto bene. Peraltro qui si comincia ad ammirare il buon lavoro di ristrutturazione del suono che porta nuova linfa a molti brani dimenticati, come la gentile Duchess sfolgorante di pianoforte, o la stupenda Afterglow, dalla chitarra perfetta e limpidissima e anche la frizzantina Follow You Follow Me, leggera ma sempre gradevole (non la scorderò mai perché è la prima canzone dei Genesis che ho ascoltato) mostra nuovo lustro.
E' il terzo dischetto ad ospitare i veri capolavori, quelli con Gabriel alla voce, una summa emozionante aperta dalla title-track di The Lamb. I pezzi sono stati aggiustati e ripuliti in studio, e si mostrano più in forma che mai, soprattutto nel set di Selling Enlgand. . e nelle già citate due tracce finali. Non c'è proprio tutto, le grandi assenti sono per esempio Watcher Of The Skies, The Fountain Of Salmacis e Stagnation, ma comunque per chi si avvicina a questa band si tratta di un ottimo inizio per conoscere ciò che i Genesis erano capaci di fare in gioventù. Un valido incentivo, come ho potuto constatare in diversi casi, per spingere alla ricerca dei dischi veri e propri: se si inizia con The Musical Box, chissà il resto dell'album...
Ne approfitto per chiarire un aspetto a cui tengo molto e che è invece, dai più, poco considerato. Chi ha composto questi brani meravigliosi? Come si sa essi sono accreditati a tutto il gruppo, ma in realtà è utile fare dei distinguo. Una cosa va detta subito: non sono canzoni di Peter Gabriel. Prendiamo per esempio il manifesto dei Genesis del periodo, The Musical Box; le liriche sono di Gabriel, ma il nucleo del brano è stato composto da Rutherford e Phillips, successivamente è stato arricchito prima da Mick Barnard, che ha sostituito Ant per un brevissimo periodo, poi da Steve Hackett. Molti brani, uno su tutti Supper's Ready, sono stati composti musicalmente da Banks con Collins, Hackett e Rutherford di supporto, e Gabriel in minor misura; e anche molti testi, cantati da Gabriel, sono stati in realtà scritti da Tony o Mike (Cinema Show, Firth Of Fifth, ma anche Fountain Of Salmacis). Dunque Il grande Peter era il principale e inimitabile poeta del gruppo, un abilissimo cantastorie dall'estro infinito e dall'impareggiabile abilità sul palco, ma non era un vero compositore, e non tesseva personalmente le magiche atmosfere su cui le sue storie si reggevano; va detto comunque che è lui l'autore di pezzi forti del gruppo come per esempio Dancing With The Moonlit Knight e buona parte di The Knife, ma anche per esempio un'opera come The Lamb, concettualmente e liricamente (ma non del tutto?) figlia di Peter, dal punto di vista musicale è frutto pressoché totale della creatività dei grandi catalizzatori, Tony e Mike. Attenzione, dico questo non per svalutare le enormi capacità di un vulcano come Gabriel, ma per chiarire come lavoravano i Genesis del periodo d'oro; mi è capitato di sentire parecchie volte che Peter era un genio che scriveva immensi capolavori che venivano poi arrangiati dal resto del gruppo, e che quindi era il leader non solo carismatico ma anche artistico della band. Questo non è affatto vero, e sminuisce in maniera indecorosa l'abilità di tutti i musicisti, anche perché in molti casi era la musica a veicolare i testi, e non viceversa; dunque Genesis non vuol dire Peter Gabriel e non vuol dire neanche Phil Collins. Al di là di questi sterili sillogismi, credo sia giusto restituire a TUTTI i componenti di questa grande band l'onore e i meriti che gli competono al di là delle criticabili devoluzioni successive.
Un ultimo appunto sul tumultuoso divorzio tra il cantante e la band: moltissimi danno per scontato che i musicisti, risentiti per la crescente popolarità del grande personaggio, l'abbiano maliziosamente isolato e poi estromesso, o messo in condizioni di non poter più lavorare. Anche questo è un falso storico: la prima rottura fu proprio Peter a provocarla. Quanti sanno, o quanti hanno scelto di dimenticare la telefonata fatta al giovane Gabriel da William Friedkin? Non mi dilungo, chi ha orecchie per intendere intenda...
P. S. Ho visto in giro per internet anche una versione con una diversa copertina; in questa le figurine sono: l'ombra umana su Calling All Stations, l'angioletto nell'interno copertina di Nursery Cryme, una sagoma colorata da The Way We Walk, Jacob che dorme sulla panchina, il diavoletto di A Trick Of The Tail e il pensoso Rael.
Elenco tracce testi e video
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...
Carico i commenti... con calma
Altre recensioni
Di Old King Cole
Per i Genesis è quanto di più assurdo, inutile ed infamante si possa pensare.
Se avete 30 euro da spendere non li sputtanate in questa stronzata.
