ANTHONY PHILLIPS

Symphonic Prog • United Kingdom


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Anthony Phillips biography
MIX OF PROGRESSIVE CLASSICAL ROCK, NEW AGE & FOLK


Anthony PHILLIPS was one of the original founding members of GENESIS featuring Peter GABRIEL, Tony BANKS, and Michael RUTHERFORD. Following "Trespass", GENESIS' second album, PHILLIPS left (purportedly due to stage fright) and was replaced by Steve HACKETT. Nothing was heard again from Anthony until 1977, when he favored us with his first solo, "The Geese and the Ghost", although PHILLIPS wasn't the first member of the band to release a solo album (that honor goes to Steve HACKETT, by releasing "Voyage of the Acolyte", in 1975). A more commercial audience was courted on "Wise After The Event" and "Sides", to no avail, and PHILLIPS spent much of his time releasing instrumental pieces (both old and new) under the "Private Parts & Pieces" series. Steeped in classical, pre-Baroque, and folk influences, he was able to record entire albums featuring only his acoustic instrument. He is one of the world's masters on the twelve string guitar and piano compositions that hark back to GENESIS' original lost innocence. His studio recordings reveal a distinctive character to his compositions on those instruments as well.

Some of his albums are more "progessive" than others, especially "Sides" (INTERESTING CD), "Private Parts and Pieces II" (A MUST! for fans of early GENESIS), "PP&P IX", and "Wise After the Event" (A MASTERPIECE); others are more "classical" in style like "PP&P III", "PP&P V", "PP&P VI" or "poppy" like "Invisible Men" and a few tracks on "Sides". Anthony PHILLIPS' 1977 debut album is one of the best works, but all of them are excellent. This album (1977) by Ant is my second favorite PHILLIPS album after "Wise After the Event". Even more its a jewel for every Rock collection, but in its own particular genre (a mix of those quiet moments of "Trespass" of GENESIS+the medieval folkprog style by GRYPHON). As you well have gathered, "Anthology" (1995) is an album that has a compilation of tracks from his solo career. This album is the perfect introduction to the world of Anthony PHILLIPS.

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ANTHONY PHILLIPS Videos (YouTube and more)


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Buy ANTHONY PHILLIPS Music


The Geese & the GhostThe Geese & the Ghost Original recording remastered, Import
United States of Distribution (Audio CD 2008)
$12.86
$48.65 (used)
TarkaTarka Import
101 DISTRIBUTION (Audio CD 2005)
$2.99
$2.96 (used)
MassMass Box set
Sony (Audio CD 1997)
$11.87
$9.98 (used)
Wise After the EventWise After the Event Original recording remastered, Import
United States of Distribution (Audio CD 2008)
$13.37
$15.33 (used)
GraceGrace
Sony (Audio CD 1997)
$4.00
$2.26 (used)
The Legend of ZorroThe Legend of Zorro Soundtrack
Sony (Audio CD 2005)
$5.38
$2.19 (used)
Missing Links, Vol. 4: Pathways & PromenadesMissing Links, Vol. 4: Pathways & Promenades Import
Voiceprint (Audio CD 2009)
$17.95
Field DayField Day Import
Blueprint UK (Audio CD 2005)
$12.21
$15.98 (used)
The Radiant Voice of Barbara BonneyThe Radiant Voice of Barbara Bonney
Decca (Audio CD 2001)
$9.44
$6.32 (used)
King Kong: Original Motion Picture SoundtrackKing Kong: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Soundtrack
Decca (Audio CD 2005)
$8.94
$4.79 (used)

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ANTHONY PHILLIPS discography of albums and videos


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ANTHONY PHILLIPS Albums (CD, Vinyl/LP, Cassette)


4.07 | 57 ratings
The Geese and the Ghost
1977

4.08 | 29 ratings
Wise After the Event
1978

3.34 | 17 ratings
Sides
1979

3.65 | 18 ratings
Private Parts & Pieces
1979

4.20 | 14 ratings
Private Parts & Pieces II: Back to the Pavillion
1980

3.75 | 22 ratings
1984
1981

4.04 | 12 ratings
Private Parts & Pieces III: Antiques
1982

2.42 | 6 ratings
Invisible Men
1983

3.60 | 6 ratings
Private Parts & Pieces IV: A Catch At The Tables
1984

3.83 | 7 ratings
Private Parts & Pieces V: Twelve
1984

4.00 | 4 ratings
Private Parts & Pieces VI: Ivory Moon
1986

3.19 | 5 ratings
Private Parts & Pieces VII: Slow Waves, Soft Stars
1987

3.60 | 7 ratings
Tarka
1988

3.31 | 3 ratings
The Missing Links Volume 1 - Finger Painting
1989

4.47 | 28 ratings
Slow Dance
1990

4.23 | 5 ratings
Private Parts & Pieces VIII: New England
1992

3.00 | 1 ratings
Sail the World
1994

3.50 | 2 ratings
Missing Links Volume 2: the Sky Road
1994

4.00 | 1 ratings
Gypsy Suite
1995

3.50 | 2 ratings
Private Parts & Pieces IX: Dragonfly Dreams
1996

4.00 | 1 ratings
The Meadows of Englewood
1996

4.00 | 1 ratings
Missing Links Volume 3: Time & Tide
1997

4.00 | 3 ratings
Private Parts & Pieces X: Soirée
1999
not rated
Battle of the Birds - A Celtic Tale
2003

4.72 | 14 ratings
Field Day
2005
not rated
Wildlife
2007

4.50 | 2 ratings
Missing Links Volume Four: Pathways & Promenades
2009

ANTHONY PHILLIPS Live Albums (CD, Vinyl/LP, Cassette)


4.00 | 2 ratings
The "Living Room" Concert
1995

4.00 | 1 ratings
The Live Radio Sessions
1998

4.00 | 1 ratings
Radio Clyde 1978
2003

ANTHONY PHILLIPS Videos (DVD, Blu-ray and VHS)

ANTHONY PHILLIPS Boxset & Compilations (CD, Vinyl/LP, Cassette)


2.18 | 2 ratings
Harvest of the Heart
1985

3.00 | 4 ratings
Anthony Phillips - Anthology
1995
not rated
Legend (1997)
1997

2.67 | 2 ratings
The Archive Collection Volume One
1998
not rated
Legend
1999
not rated
Soft Vivace
2002
not rated
All Our Lives
2002

4.00 | 1 ratings
Soundscapes - An Anthology
2003

3.55 | 3 ratings
Archive Collection Vol II
2004

ANTHONY PHILLIPS Official Singles, EPs, Fan Club & Promo (CD, Vinyl/LP, Cassette, MP3, Digital Media Download)

ANTHONY PHILLIPS Music Reviews


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 The Geese and the Ghost by PHILLIPS, ANTHONY album cover Studio Album, 1977
4.07 | 57 ratings

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The Geese and the Ghost
Anthony Phillips Symphonic Prog

Review by fuxi
Prog Reviewer

3 stars Essential listening for all Genesis fans! An object lesson in acoustic twelve-string playing, often by Anthony Phillips and Mike Rutherford together, and adorned with many other delightful features.

To be honest I'm not too enamoured of the original A-side. The fake mediaevalism of the fourteen- minute "Henry: Portraits from Tudor Times" (an instrumental piece) is sandwiched between two briefer songs with lead vocals by Phil Collins. The songs themselves (strongly reminiscent of acoustic early Genesis) are pleasant enough, although they verge on the sentimental. But "Henry" can only be called fifty percent succesful. Although its more lyrical passages, with loads of twelve string, are charming, its opening fanfare and closing hymn sound terribly naive and its battle scene fails to pack a punch. I can't get rid of the impression Steve Hackett is better at expressing real drama in music.

The B-side, on the other hand, is a different story. If the entire album were like this, I'd gladly award it four or perhaps even five stars. The title track is another extended piece, nearly sixteen minutes, and this time there's never a dull moment. Phillips does what he's really good at: creating dreamlike, mainly acoustic, neo-impressionist music, and as he doesn't try to force a narrative on us this time, the music simply flows and carries the listener along. The contributions by oboe, cor anglais and cello players are delightful. I also love the brief song "Collections", with vocal by Phillips himself, and "Sleepfall", the utterly romantic instrumental that concludes the album.

Don't hesitate to get a copy of the two-disc Voiceprint re-release from 2008. This comes with a highly informative, well-designed twenty page booklet, and the original album sounds clearer than ever: those gorgeous twelve string guitars really pour out of the speakers! The second disc is filled mainly with demos and basic tracks, but all Genesis fans will be cheered by the four minute "Silver Song", written in 1969 as a farewell to John Silver (Genesis' original drummer) but not recorded until 1973. It features Anthony Phillips, Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins, and believe me - it's a thing of great beauty. Sort of like an honorary Genesis song!

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 The Geese and the Ghost by PHILLIPS, ANTHONY album cover Studio Album, 1977
4.07 | 57 ratings

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The Geese and the Ghost
Anthony Phillips Symphonic Prog

Review by Bilkaim

2 stars The Geese and the Ghost definitely has its moments which prove the artistic potential and subtlety of the author. But when I first got in touch with the album, its pictorial expression, its reflective and past revoking titles, with a bunch of talented musicians and instruments, I was expecting something close to Genesis' Trespass, Nursery Cryme, even Foxtrot. Unfortunately, instead of a masterpiece, I experienced a big disappointment. This album is more like a working material, as a musical framework for a good symphonic prog rock album (with more vocals, keyboards and drums of course) than an album with its own direction and identity. The biggest paradox is the fact that probably the most impressive track on the album (Virgin edition) is the bonus Master of Time. Good as dispensable background music.

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 The Geese and the Ghost by PHILLIPS, ANTHONY album cover Studio Album, 1977
4.07 | 57 ratings

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The Geese and the Ghost
Anthony Phillips Symphonic Prog

Review by Finnforest
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator / RPI Specialist

4 stars As good as the lovely artwork anticipates...

Trespass is my favorite Genesis album in large part due to the spirit Ant Phillips brought to the band. It was as much about the friendships of these young men and their coming of age as it was about his musical accomplishment, which was of course formidable. As great as Genesis was, they lost something when Ant stepped away for health reasons. I can sympathize completely as I've always been uncomfortable playing even the small gigs we used to get, I can't imagine the pressure of a touring group---takes a special kind of constitution. Many feel the resulting replacement by Steve Hackett made Genesis better but I've never bought that---it made them different but I'm not sure it made them better. I would have loved to hear what Nursery Cryme would have sounded like with Phillips. In any case, the material on Geese began around and shortly after the time Ant left Genesis in 1970. The years in between were spent writing, recording, taking classes, and getting in as much time with partner Mike Rutherford as he could...obviously Mike was a busy guy. Then, after finishing this project over years of painstaking work, the record company decided it was not commercial enough and refused to release it. Another year passed without a suitor and Ant was already moving on to other things when American label Passport agreed to release it, and so the project became reality in the spring of 1977.

The Geese and the Ghost is not however Trespass-part 2 as it lacks the great voice of Peter Gabriel and the rock power of Genesis. Then again it isn't trying to compete, this is not a rock album by any stretch. The album is built around two 15-minute suites with a few shorter tracks and interludes surrounding them. As mentioned the music is the near literal translation of the fantastic artwork featuring stories and imagery of castles, maidens, and period countrysides. There are few examples of bucolic themed acoustic bliss that quite match what Phillips has done here, but the famous "Principe di un Giorno" album by the Italian band Celeste may come the closest in some ways. Perhaps the English artist Willowglass' first album is another although that one does rock a bit more as I recall. Here soft, incredibly sharp and clean acoustic guitars are layered and adorned with other stringed instruments along with all manner of lush adornments: flutes, recorders, bells, glocks, oboe, cellos, and of course keyboards. Often the mellotrons will be rising and floating in the background with strummed acoustic guitar in one track and lead acoustic in another, occasionally there will be some piano or organ. All of the tracks concentrate on pleasing melody and mostly a soothing experience, even if some of the themes deal with pain. Phil Collins contributes some vocals as does the late Viv McCauliffe who has the voice of an angel. But I most appreciate Ant's modest vocals on the closing track "Collections" as it brings his essence to the work more than Collins voice which one associates with Genesis hits. This is a gorgeous pastoral near-masterpiece that will thrill anyone who loves that kind of mellow prog with acoustic guitars and mellotron. It's an album I appreciate much more than "Voyage of the Acolyte" and much more than post-Gabriel Genesis, with the exception perhaps of Wind and Wuthering.

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 The Missing Links Volume 1 - Finger Painting  by PHILLIPS, ANTHONY album cover Studio Album, 1989
3.31 | 3 ratings

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The Missing Links Volume 1 - Finger Painting
Anthony Phillips Symphonic Prog

Review by snelling

4 stars This is an album that could almost be divided into 2 sections. The first, is mostly ambient electronic pieces, more about mood than form, and although interesting, not particularly brilliant with some exceptions. The 2nd half is largely wonderful, with more emphasis on form and melody. 'Tropical Moon Over Dorking Suite' is tremendous, as are the albums poignant closer, 'Paradise Found', and the haunting 'Boulevard of Fallen Leaves'. 'Three Piece Suite' is another interesting track with some rich chords. So overall, not the classic that Slow Dance or Soiree is, but certainly worth buying for the gems that are there, especially as the following cds in the Missing Links series do not have pieces of quite the feeling of these four tracks.

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 Private Parts & Pieces X: Soirée by PHILLIPS, ANTHONY album cover Studio Album, 1999
4.00 | 3 ratings

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Private Parts & Pieces X: Soirée
Anthony Phillips Symphonic Prog

Review by snelling

5 stars Although Anthony Phillips' first love is the guitar, particularly acoustic guitar, this is surprisingly very fine piano music here, and like his guitar music, is made special by the feelings he generates, employing beautiful minor chords, most effective when one is alone or feeling introspective with one or two others, the album has a late autumn feel, pastoral at times, lively at others, but all capturing the poignant mood only Anthony Phillips seems to be capable of. Of modern solo piano music, this is not at all reminiscient of George Winston or Suzanne Ciani. This is much more Debussy in style and form, although I wonder how amazing it would have been if some of these pieces would have been developed with additional keyboards and/or orchestration. There are many special tracks here, 'Passepied' on the livelier side, and 'After You Left' or 'Fallen Flower' on the quieter. 'Creation' is part of an old Genesis piece, unreleased, and quite magnificient, while the rest is more recently written. Comositionally, this is as fine as any of Ant's cds and that is saying a lot. Of his two all piano offerings this is the one to get and if you love this, then you will likely also enjoy 'Ivory Moon'.

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 Slow Dance by PHILLIPS, ANTHONY album cover Studio Album, 1990
4.47 | 28 ratings

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Slow Dance
Anthony Phillips Symphonic Prog

Review by Anteater

5 stars A rare example of perfection within the confines of an album suite, 'Slow Dance' is the 'Thick As A Brick" of ambient-oriented progressive music, a must own pair of movements that touches everything from pastoral classicism to infectious worldly beat to electronics and back again, creating a feeling of transcendence that only grows more and more prevalent as the minutes pass and leaving you breathless by the end.

If you don't own this album, you ARE doing yourself a grave disservice, as this is the closest to perfection that New Age ever got in terms of musical engagement...and furthermore the best thing that Anthony Phillips has done since the late 70's. Get this!

5 stars.

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 Slow Dance by PHILLIPS, ANTHONY album cover Studio Album, 1990
4.47 | 28 ratings

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Slow Dance
Anthony Phillips Symphonic Prog

Review by Jadittir

5 stars Sublime quality in every way, Slowdance is phonically superior over almost 90% of all music in the history of mankind. Being ultra romantic without being lame, Ant Phillips created this piece of art that flows effortlessly over 50 minutes and after listening session, it only leaves a huge impression over our mind. It changes my perception over music for the rest of my life.

Contemporary, easily digest without having to sacrifice the complexity, modern form of classical music disguised in a prog suit, this album makes all wannabe-s look stupid. The arrangement, dynamic, melody and musicianship is so good without having to show off. This album shows us that in music world, mental ability is far more powerful and could create more impact over one's mind than physical ability.

5 stars, no less. Essential piece for all music lover.

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 1984 by PHILLIPS, ANTHONY album cover Studio Album, 1981
3.75 | 22 ratings

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1984
Anthony Phillips Symphonic Prog

Review by SonicDeath10

4 stars After a series of albums that combined differing approaches with similar instruments, Anthony Phillips decided to try something different. His albums, The Geese and the Ghost, Wise After the Event, Sides, and Private Parts and Pieces were mostly guitar based, mostly acoustic, well respected, yet commercially irrelvent. 1984 rolled around, and Anthony tried what Rick Wakeman did with his 1984 album: doing a tribute to George Orwell's classic tome 1984. It's comparable to Wakeman's because Anthony used mostly electronic keyboards, synthesizers, and percussion to create his work. While Rick's was succesful, I prefer Phillip's album as it's instrumental nature allows you to make the associations with the book in your mind, instead of having them dictated to you by lyrics. Plus, it's a one of a kind work for Phillips: almost every other release after this was acoustic and guitar based, or piano based.

The rhythms and melodies are somewhat simple on this album but Phillips does produce melodies. Some keyboardists would be content to simply churn out nothing but electronic noise, but being a gifted melodician, Phillips churns out great electronic melodies. In fact, being relatively limited on the keyboards compared to his guitar abilities almost forces him to focus on strong melodies as opposed to flashy work. The result is an endlessly listenable, almost always enjoyable electronic feast for the ears. The re-release has a second disc of related material.

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 Private Parts & Pieces by PHILLIPS, ANTHONY album cover Studio Album, 1979
3.65 | 18 ratings

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Private Parts & Pieces
Anthony Phillips Symphonic Prog

Review by SonicDeath10

4 stars And with this album an artist finds his niche. Earlier works by Anthony were excellent explorations of acoustic soundscaping, clever and intricate songwriting, and more simplistic and to the point pop songwriting. Phillips did excell in all three albums before this, but he just couldn't seem to find a mass audience. I believe that after the commercial failure of Sides, he simply gave up trying to be a big pop star. Except for a transparent 80's pop album with Invisible Men, Anthony stuck to his own insular, individualistic instrumental work. And that started with this album, a collection of demos, leftovers, experiments, and work recorded simply for his own entertainment. It was a bold album to release: an artist who had cult success, at best, releasing a collection of stuff he had only intended for his own listening experience. It's kind of like the Scoop series by Pete Townshend, but by a much less established artist. However, the Private Parts and Pieces is a lot like Scoop in that it doesn't represent bad work at all: in fact, both series often represent the best work of both artists. By releasing work that Anthony had done for himself, he inadavertanly releases an album that shows off the true ranges of his talent.

On most of this album, Anthony plays the instruments. He varies between guitar and piano, mostly. He plays a wide variety of styles: there are short Chopin sound-alikes and wild flaminco guitar epics. Throughout the album, one really starts to understand where Phillip's muse really lies. It's hard to describe the music on an album like this. It's pretty, memorable, and occasionally even beautiful.

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 Sides by PHILLIPS, ANTHONY album cover Studio Album, 1979
3.34 | 17 ratings

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Sides
Anthony Phillips Symphonic Prog

Review by SonicDeath10

3 stars *I'd give this album 3.5 but I can't*

After further commercial indifference folowing his second album, Anthony Phillips decided to try a different approach. He decided it was time to simplify and to toughen up his approach. He ditched the intricate arrangements of Wise After the Event. He sat down and wrote a few harder songs that emphasized his electric guitar playing, a few simple ballads, and then wrote a series of more intricate and detailed songs for the second side. Some habits die old. The result was Sides an album that may be Anthony's hardest sounding album. It is one of his last fully song oriented albums and one of his last albums that could be classified as rock. After this album, Anthony would mostly stick to instrumental work.

It's not hard to see why. Though I thinks this album is good and enjoy most of it, it feels like Anthony was a bit lost here. The songs, while still catchy, seem poorer, less intricate, less thought over. It seems like he was rushing things a bit here and not spending a lot of time on some of the songs. The ballads, which you'd think would be a high point given Anthony's softer nature, tend to wisp away into the wind. Um and Aagh is an interesting song, as it's definitely harder edged for Anthony. The harder edged songs seem like a last gasp towards rock and roll for a musician who, despite his talent, never seemed destined to be a rock and roller or a rock and roll star. They're good and interesting, especially existing as they do as the last glimmers of rock and roll in Anthony's music.

The instrumentals on the second half show that Anthony's heart still lay in intricate composed pieces as opposed to pure songwriting. The balance between great songwriting and intricate arrangements was achieved on Wise After the Event but for some reason Anthony was either unwilling or unable to combine the two with this album. So we have one side of an album that's filled with catchy, but simple tunes and another side that's filled with intricate, but slightly unmemorable tunes. Strange album, but fascinating because of that.

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