The Geese and the Ghost
Encyclopedia
The Geese and the Ghost is the debut solo album from former Genesis
guitarist Anthony Phillips
Featuring Mike Rutherford
and Phil Collins
. It was released in 1977 on Passport Records in the US and Hit & Run Music in the UK.
wrote a good deal of music, committing the material to tape in order to preserve a record of the work. Among the tracks was a piece entitled "D Instrumental", a song that would eventually become the album's title track. Following his departure from Genesis in 1970, Phillips wrote many of the songs that would ultimately constitute the rest of the album. Phillips at this time became more interested in his musical studies and work on the material was put aside until 1973 when he re-connected with Rutherford to work on small projects including a prospective single release, "Silver Song"/"Only Your Love", that included Genesis drummer Phil Collins
on vocals. This material convinced Genesis label Charisma Records
to front the money for initial work on an album to begin.
Always intending the album project to be a collaboration with Rutherford, Phillips found it difficult to schedule time when the two could work together, as Rutherford's Genesis schedule was proving hectic during the recording of their double album The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway
. In 1974, an injury to Phillips' Genesis successor, Steve Hackett
, provided the opening Phillips and Rutherford needed and a great deal of work on the album was recorded in October of that year. While Rutherford rejoined Genesis, Phillips continued work on the album until another break allowed them to continue work on the album in the summer of 1975.
With the album in a nearly-finished state in 1976, Charisma Records ultimately decided against releasing it, leaving Phillips without the financing to complete recording. After meetings with Virgin, Phillips put the material aside and concentrated on his burgeoning career in library music and other projects. In October 1976, however, word came that US record label Passport Records was interested in releasing the album. This gave Phillips the impetus he needed to complete The Geese and the Ghost. Still unable to find a UK distributor, Phillips and Genesis manager Tony Smith
created the "Hit & Run" label in order to secure a UK release for the album.
Vinyl side two
The Lutes Chorus Reprise section of Henry (which was edited from the original release of the album) is only included on the 2 CD re-mastered edition.
The 1990 Virgin CD re-issue included the demo version of "Master of Time" (recorded in August 1973) as an extra track.
Genesis (band)
Genesis are an English rock band that formed in 1967. The band currently comprises the longest-tenured members Tony Banks , Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins . Past members Peter Gabriel , Steve Hackett and Anthony Phillips , also played major roles in the band in its early years...
guitarist Anthony Phillips
Anthony Phillips
Anthony Edwin "Ant" Phillips is an English multi instrumentalist, best known as a founding member of the band Genesis. He played guitar and sang backing vocals until leaving in 1970, following the recording of their second album, Trespass...
Featuring Mike Rutherford
Mike Rutherford
Michael John Cleote Crawford Rutherford is an English musician. He is a founding member of Genesis, initially as a bassist and backup vocalist. In later incarnations of Genesis, he assumed the role of lead guitarist. He is one of only two constant members in Genesis . He also fronts Mike + The...
and Phil Collins
Phil Collins
Philip David Charles "Phil" Collins, LVO is an English singer-songwriter, drummer, pianist and actor best known as a drummer and vocalist for British progressive rock group Genesis and as a solo artist....
. It was released in 1977 on Passport Records in the US and Hit & Run Music in the UK.
Production
In 1969, just prior to an extensive tour for Genesis, Phillips and bassist Mike RutherfordMike Rutherford
Michael John Cleote Crawford Rutherford is an English musician. He is a founding member of Genesis, initially as a bassist and backup vocalist. In later incarnations of Genesis, he assumed the role of lead guitarist. He is one of only two constant members in Genesis . He also fronts Mike + The...
wrote a good deal of music, committing the material to tape in order to preserve a record of the work. Among the tracks was a piece entitled "D Instrumental", a song that would eventually become the album's title track. Following his departure from Genesis in 1970, Phillips wrote many of the songs that would ultimately constitute the rest of the album. Phillips at this time became more interested in his musical studies and work on the material was put aside until 1973 when he re-connected with Rutherford to work on small projects including a prospective single release, "Silver Song"/"Only Your Love", that included Genesis drummer Phil Collins
Phil Collins
Philip David Charles "Phil" Collins, LVO is an English singer-songwriter, drummer, pianist and actor best known as a drummer and vocalist for British progressive rock group Genesis and as a solo artist....
on vocals. This material convinced Genesis label Charisma Records
Charisma Records
Charisma was a record label founded by former journalist Tony Stratton-Smith in 1969. Manager for The Nice, the Bonzo Dog Band and Van der Graaf Generator at the time, Stratton-Smith was unable to find a record company willing to release an album by one of his favourite groups so he founded his own...
to front the money for initial work on an album to begin.
Always intending the album project to be a collaboration with Rutherford, Phillips found it difficult to schedule time when the two could work together, as Rutherford's Genesis schedule was proving hectic during the recording of their double album The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway
The Lamb Lies down on Broadway
The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway is a double concept album recorded and released in 1974 by the British rock band Genesis. It was their sixth studio album and the last album by the group to feature the involvement of lead singer Peter Gabriel.-Premise:...
. In 1974, an injury to Phillips' Genesis successor, Steve Hackett
Steve Hackett
Stephen Richard Hackett is a British singer-songwriter and guitarist. He gained prominence as a member of the British progressive rock group Genesis, which he joined in 1970 and left in 1977 to pursue a solo career...
, provided the opening Phillips and Rutherford needed and a great deal of work on the album was recorded in October of that year. While Rutherford rejoined Genesis, Phillips continued work on the album until another break allowed them to continue work on the album in the summer of 1975.
With the album in a nearly-finished state in 1976, Charisma Records ultimately decided against releasing it, leaving Phillips without the financing to complete recording. After meetings with Virgin, Phillips put the material aside and concentrated on his burgeoning career in library music and other projects. In October 1976, however, word came that US record label Passport Records was interested in releasing the album. This gave Phillips the impetus he needed to complete The Geese and the Ghost. Still unable to find a UK distributor, Phillips and Genesis manager Tony Smith
Tony Smith (manager)
Tony Smith is best known as talent manager for Genesis since 1973 and for the solo careers of Phil Collins, Mike Rutherford and Anthony Banks. He is also, as of 2007, co-manager of Pink Floyd along with Paul Loasby....
created the "Hit & Run" label in order to secure a UK release for the album.
Track listing
All songs Phillips (Virgin Music Ltd.) except * Phillips / Rutherford (Virgin Music Ltd./Michael Rutherford Ltd./Hit And Run Music Publishing Ltd.)Original vinyl album & CD releases / Disc One of double CD re-issue
Vinyl side one- Wind-Tales - 1:02
- Which Way The Wind Blows - 5:51
- Henry: Portraits From Tudor Times* - 14:02
- Fanfare - 0:26
- Lute’s Chorus - 2:00
- Misty Battlements - 1:15 / Lute's Chorus Reprise - 0:52
- Henry Goes To War - 3:35
- Death of A Knight - 2:33
- Triumphant Return - 1:46
- God If I Saw Her Now - 4:09
Vinyl side two
- Chinese Mushroom Cloud* - 0:46
- The Geese And The Ghost* - 15:40
- Part I - 8:01
- Part II - 7:39
- Collections - 3:07
- Sleepfall: The Geese Fly West - 4:33
Disc Two of double CD re-issue
- Master of Time (demo) - 7:37
- Title Inspiration - 0:31
- The Geese & The Ghost - Part One* (basic track) (7:46)
- Collections link (0:39)
- Which Way The Wind Blows (basic track) (6:25)
- Silver Song (Geese sessions) (4:22)
- Henry: Portraits From Tudor Times* (basic track) (5:37)
- Fanfare
- Lute's Chorus
- Lute's Chorus Reprise
- Misty Battlements
- Collections (demo) (4:14)
- The Geese & The Ghost - Part Two* (basic track) (7:30)
- God If I Saw Her Now (basic track) (4:15)
- Sleepfall (basic track) (4:22)
- Silver Song (unreleased single version, 1973) (4:14)
The Lutes Chorus Reprise section of Henry (which was edited from the original release of the album) is only included on the 2 CD re-mastered edition.
The 1990 Virgin CD re-issue included the demo version of "Master of Time" (recorded in August 1973) as an extra track.
Personnel
- Anthony PhillipsAnthony PhillipsAnthony Edwin "Ant" Phillips is an English multi instrumentalist, best known as a founding member of the band Genesis. He played guitar and sang backing vocals until leaving in 1970, following the recording of their second album, Trespass...
; Guitars, Bass, Dulcimer, Bouzouki, Synthesizer, Mellotron, Keyboards, Piano, Celesta, Drums, Percussion - Mike RutherfordMike RutherfordMichael John Cleote Crawford Rutherford is an English musician. He is a founding member of Genesis, initially as a bassist and backup vocalist. In later incarnations of Genesis, he assumed the role of lead guitarist. He is one of only two constant members in Genesis . He also fronts Mike + The...
; Guitars (Electric, Acoustic, Classical & 12-String), Bass, Keyboards, Synthesizers, Drums, Percussion - Phil CollinsPhil CollinsPhilip David Charles "Phil" Collins, LVO is an English singer-songwriter, drummer, pianist and actor best known as a drummer and vocalist for British progressive rock group Genesis and as a solo artist....
; vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
(2, 4) - Rob Phillips; Oboes (11, 12, 14)
- Lazo Momulovich; Oboes, Cor AnglaisCor anglaisThe cor anglais , or English horn , is a double-reed woodwind instrument in the oboe family....
(3, 11), OrganOrgan (music)The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with... - John HackettJohn Hackett (musician)John Hackett is a British flautist, the younger brother of guitarist Steve Hackett. Although his primary instrument is the flute, he also plays guitar, bass and keyboards...
; Flutes (9, 13, 14) - Wil Sleath; Flute, BaroqueBaroqueThe Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
flute, recorderRecorderThe recorder is a woodwind musical instrument of the family known as fipple flutes or internal duct flutes—whistle-like instruments which include the tin whistle. The recorder is end-blown and the mouth of the instrument is constricted by a wooden plug, known as a block or fipple...
, piccoloPiccoloThe piccolo is a half-size flute, and a member of the woodwind family of musical instruments. The piccolo has the same fingerings as its larger sibling, the standard transverse flute, but the sound it produces is an octave higher than written...
(3) - Jack LancasterJack LancasterJack Lancaster is a British composer, record producer and musician.In the late 1960s, Lancaster co-founded the British rock group Blodwyn Pig with Jethro Tull guitarist Mick Abrahams...
; Flutes, LyriconLyriconThe Lyricon is an electronic wind instrument, the first wind controller to be constructed.Invented by Bill Bernardi , it was manufactured by a company called Computone Inc in Massachusetts...
(14) - Charlie Martin; CelloCelloThe cello is a bowed string instrument with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is a member of the violin family of musical instruments, which also includes the violin, viola, and double bass. Old forms of the instrument in the Baroque era are baryton and viol .A person who plays a cello is...
(10-12) - Kirk Trevor; Cello (10-12)
- Nick Hayley; Violins (11, 12)
- Martin Westlake; TimpaniTimpaniTimpani, or kettledrums, are musical instruments in the percussion family. A type of drum, they consist of a skin called a head stretched over a large bowl traditionally made of copper. They are played by striking the head with a specialized drum stick called a timpani stick or timpani mallet...
(3, 10-12) - Tom Newman; Hecklephone and bulk eraser
- Viv McCauliffe; Vocals (4)
- Send Barns Orchestra and Barge Rabble conducted by Jeremy Gilbert
- Ralph Bernascone; SoloistSolo (music)In music, a solo is a piece or a section of a piece played or sung by a single performer...
- David Thomas: Classical guitar (15)
- Ronnie Gunn: Harmonium (15)
Production
- Produced By Anthony Phillips, Mike Rutherford & Simon Heyworth
- Engineers: Simon Heyworth, Anthony Phillips, Mike Rutherford
- Mixing: Anton Matthews
- Mastering: Greg Calbi
Charts
Album| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1977 | US Album Chart | 191 |
External links
- "The Geese And The Ghost" at discogs: link (Note: Discogs has the album listed as "Anthony Phillips with Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins".)
- "The Geese And The Ghost" at Voiceprint Records: link