1976 Solo Keyboard Album - George Duke

Advantages: Another Classic Installment In The Genesis Story
Disadvantages: Their Last Great Album

...Released in 1976 this album was the straw that broke the camels back for guitarist Steve Hackett. He had released a solo album "Voyage of The Acolyte", but creative input to the band was being ignored for parts of this album. This was the last Genesis album before the start of the transition into the Phil Collins band, and their last as a four piece. Surprisingly, it is still a very strong album with lots to recommend it, although the signs of the softening that set in with the departure of Peter Gabriel are far more apparent on this outing that the previous album "A Trick Of The Tail", although that is not necessarily a bad thing. The band are in excellent for musically and there are some excellent songs in here. The cover features a single tree in a foggy landscape and is appropriate for the feel of the album. The album opens... Read review

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Advantages: A fantastic fusion of orginal Genesis and developing Collins.
Disadvantages: Only really remembered for one track.

...During the eighties, and after listening to most of Phil Collins' solo work, I realised that it would probably be a good time to check out some slightly earlier Genesis creations. Although being a rather religious follower of Phil Collins, I was dubious at the thought of forking out on a Genesis album that after a play or two I would end up binning. 'Duke', I had decided would be the best bet purchase. Released in 1980 with Collins fronting on vocals rather than sitting, hammering away at the back on his beloved drums to Peter Gabriel's weird and diverse voice. I had felt at the time of buying 'Duke' that it would sound more Collins than Genisis. There are a vast majority of die hard Genisis fans who would be spitting feathers whilst reading my review. These analytical listeners would argue that the worst day in musical history... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Some all time classics songs
Disadvantages: Format seems out of kilter to me

...'t understand a word of the lyrics, but they sure knew how to spin out a musical interlude. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~ THE LATE SEVENTIES/VERY EARLY EIGHTIES ~~~ 1975 saw the departure of Peter Gabriel (for personal reasons). Despite auditioning for a new lead singer, this was the point at which Phil Collins took over as lead vocalist, whilst continuing as the drummer. At this stage of their career, the band were over £150,000 in debt and still without much commercial success. However, the band now moved away from the art rock style songs and long rambling intervals and started to write and produce songs with catchier themes. Albums such as "A Trick of the Tail" (1976), "Wind and Wuthering" (1977), "And Then There Were Three" (1978) and "Duke" (1980) just got better and better and their sales increased with each... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful