SHIPWRECKED

"Shipwrecked" marked the second single to be taken from the "Calling all stations" album with Ray Wilson on lead vocals. It is undoubtedly a far more satisfactory offering than the first single "Congo", indeed I rate it as one of the best tracks on the album (along with "Uncertain weather" and the title track). The keyboard orchestrations by Tony Banks provide a lush symphonic basis for Wilson's admirably emotional vocal. As a single though, this was perhaps an overly optimistic selection, and the song failed to reach even the top 50 in the UK.

The oddly named "Phret" sound as if it is an unfinished backing track. Tony Banks dominates the piece, which has gentle plinking sections alternating with louder rhythmic passages. The even more curiously named "7/8", presumably a reference to the time signature might be the theme tune to a mid 90's TV movie. Its basic riff flows effortlessly as Banks and Rutherford engage cruise control. Only in the later stages do the duo (Wilson is apparently completely absent from the recordings) start to inject some desperately needed vitality into the piece.

The second version of the CD single contains an identical version the title track. This time however it is accompanied by three live renditions of older Genesis songs. "No son of mine" is an abridged and slightly softer version of the "We can't dance" song, which otherwise sticks faithfully to the original. Wilson offers a competent vocal performance in a slightly lower key to Phil Collins, the sparser backing affording him the space to display the strength of his voice.

On "Lover's leap" (from "Supper's ready"), Wilson's voice is surprisingly similar to that of Peter Gabriel. Rutherford provides an accomplished rendition of Steve Hackett's acoustic guitar accompaniment. The final track is a brief run through of "Turn it on again", of which the less said the better.

The two versions of the single both offer interesting and otherwise unavailable tracks for those who crave all things Genesis. Those who abandoned the band after the departure of key members may however safely pass by.

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