WIND & WUTHERING

Late 1975 I became a Genesis fan, after listening to Genesis Live, soon I bought all the gems between 1970 and 1975. Looking back I consider Foxtrot as their most captivating album but I am also very much into The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway (apart from the lacklustre side 4). In 1976 'new' Genesis stunned the musical world with Phil Collins as the lead singer on their first non-Peter Gabriel album. I was pleased with A Trick Of The Tail, no more or less. For me Wind & Wuthering, the second non-Peter Gabriel album, is the best Genesis album with Phil Collins as the lead singer. Although it contains less rock and less adventurous musical ideas than my Genesis #1 album Foxtrot, it is such a 24- carat symphonic rock beauty, for me way more captivating than ATOTT, that sounds like the precursor of ATTWT, both obviously embracing a more song-oriented musical approach.

The elements that make W&W such a symphonic rock masterpiece are many, from the variety, tension and dynamics to the lush instrumentation and elaborate construction of the compositions.

Eleventh Earl Of Mar : Intro with moving electric guitar and majestic Mellotron layers, than a catchy beat with strong Collins vocals, accompanied by the distinctive Hammond organ. This is the 'new' Genesis, between sumptuous symphonic rock and lush melodic rock, embellished with wonderful work on guitar (Hackett solo is already shaping) and keyboards, fuelled by a dynamic rhythm-section, and topped with Phil Collins his strong vocals. Halfway a beautiful mellow interlude, then a bombastic eruption and finally again that catchy beat in the second part, it emphasizes the strong dynamics on this album.

One For The Vine : First a mellow atmosphere with dreamy vocals, Mellotron and piano, gradually more intense vocals by Phil, and inventive keyboard work. It's a prelude to a sensational break, with propulsive drums and sparkling piano runs, culminating into a compelling and bombastic symphonic rock sound, wow. The conclusion delivers strong interplay between Hackett and Banks, top notch 'new' Genesis!

Your Own Special Way : A ballad with emotional vocals, twanging guitars and subtle keyboard work.

Wot Gorilla : "And now for something completely different", an instrumental featuring fiery guitar, bass pedals, spectacular synthesizer flights, subtle conga beats, and an excellent rhythm-section. The interplay is awesome and the dynamics great, what a contrast with the former mellow track.

All In A Mouse's Night : Another composition that alternates between sumptuous symphonic rock and elaborate melodic rock. The funny lyrics are sung very well, and lots of shifting moods, in the end first Mellotron choirs and then sensitive guitar runs with volume pedal, Hackett trademark.

Blood On The Rooftops : One of my favorite songs, also because I love the warm classical guitar sound, what a beautiful intro, goose bumps. Tender vocals and inventive keyboard work join, in a melancholical climate. Then the music alternates between dreamy and bombastic outbursts, coloured with the unsurpassed Mellotron, twanging guitar and emotional vocals.

Unquiet Slumbers For The Sleepers : A hypnotizing instrumental with spacy synthesizer flights.

... In That Quiet Earth : Bombastic symphonic rock with fiery guitar leads by an unleashed Hackett, accompanied by deep bass runs and powerful drum beats. In the second part the spacy synthesizer flights from Unquiet Slumbers For The Sleepers return, turning into flashy synthesizer soli, fuelled by fat rock guitar riffs, Hackett and Banks shine, wow!

Afterglow : After all those bombastic and spectacular moments in track #7 and 8, this album concludes with a compelling ballad featuring wonderful vocals, lush Mellotron and twanging guitars. The build-up is great, and Phil Collins delivers another strong vocal contribution on this album, very inspired, topped with majestic Mellotron choirs.

It's a pity that on the legendary double live LP Seconds Out the emphasis is on ATOTT (4 songs, only 1 from W&W), I miss a serie of wonderful tracks from W&W. But Hackett told the band before Seconds Out that he was leaving so we have to rely on bootlegs, like from the BBC Radio1977. But early July 2024 Steve Hackett will deliver a serie of 3 gigs in the Dutch prog venue De Boerderij (sold out within 2 months), I am looking forward to see him. Like all those progheads who left Genesis since 1978 and embraced Steve Hackett as a solo artist. He will play the best compositions from 70-77 Genesis, and his solo work, I am sure these concerts will be superior to Seconds Out, a big hand for Steve!

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