Phil Collins - a dilemma
Discussion
Do you like Phil Collins? I've been a big Genesis fan ever since the release of their 1980 album, Duke. Before that, I really didn't understand any of their work. Too artsy, too intellectual. It was on Duke where Phil Collins' presence became more apparent. I think Invisible Touch was the group's undisputed masterpiece. It's an epic meditation on intangibility. At the same time, it deepens and enriches the meaning of the preceding three albums. Listen to the brilliant ensemble playing of Banks, Collins and Rutherford. You can practically hear every nuance of every instrument. In terms of lyrical craftsmanship, the sheer songwriting, this album hits a new peak of professionalism. Take the lyrics to Land of Confusion. In this song, Phil Collins addresses the problems of abusive political authority. In Too Deep is the most moving pop song of the 1980s, about monogamy and commitment. The song is extremely uplifting. Their lyrics are as positive and affirmative as anything I've heard in rock. Phil Collins' solo career seems to be more commercial and therefore more satisfying, in a narrower way. Especially songs like In the Air Tonight and Against All Odds. But I also think Phil Collins works best within the confines of the group, than as a solo artist, and I stress the word artist.
hogfisch said:
Do you like Phil Collins? I've been a big Genesis fan ever since the release of their 1980 album, Duke. Before that, I really didn't understand any of their work. Too artsy, too intellectual. It was on Duke where Phil Collins' presence became more apparent. I think Invisible Touch was the group's undisputed masterpiece. It's an epic meditation on intangibility. At the same time, it deepens and enriches the meaning of the preceding three albums. Listen to the brilliant ensemble playing of Banks, Collins and Rutherford. You can practically hear every nuance of every instrument. In terms of lyrical craftsmanship, the sheer songwriting, this album hits a new peak of professionalism. Take the lyrics to Land of Confusion. In this song, Phil Collins addresses the problems of abusive political authority. In Too Deep is the most moving pop song of the 1980s, about monogamy and commitment. The song is extremely uplifting. Their lyrics are as positive and affirmative as anything I've heard in rock. Phil Collins' solo career seems to be more commercial and therefore more satisfying, in a narrower way. Especially songs like In the Air Tonight and Against All Odds. But I also think Phil Collins works best within the confines of the group, than as a solo artist, and I stress the word artist.
That didn't take long did it.I don't think Phil will give up drumming, it's in the blood, he won't be able to resist. I never met Phil or the others but I did work with Steve Hackett back in the early 90's I was in a band called Whirled as a guitarist and we did our demos at his house in Richmond, he produced and recorded them, nice chap with a huge guitar collection, inc a 1960’s Gibson LP worth around £30/40k by now.
OK, I like Phil Collins! 
But...
A few years ago I worked for Fairlight. We produced a digital audio editing system (for those who didn't know).
One day a beta test customer (a famous producer) called me up to ask how many edits could be stored on one hard drive. I told him and he said that he'd got about 30% more.
Intrigued, I went to visit him at his studio and looked at the work. The project was a drum kit with multi mic's on every drum, hi hat etc.
Looking at the work, he'd been time aligning virtually every beat on every track!
He played me the before and after results, the difference was amazing, the original was really sloppy.
I asked who the drummer was... Any guesses?
Must have been a bad day!
But...
A few years ago I worked for Fairlight. We produced a digital audio editing system (for those who didn't know).
One day a beta test customer (a famous producer) called me up to ask how many edits could be stored on one hard drive. I told him and he said that he'd got about 30% more.
Intrigued, I went to visit him at his studio and looked at the work. The project was a drum kit with multi mic's on every drum, hi hat etc.
Looking at the work, he'd been time aligning virtually every beat on every track!
He played me the before and after results, the difference was amazing, the original was really sloppy.
I asked who the drummer was... Any guesses?
Must have been a bad day!
Ozone said:
Poledriver said:
A few years ago I worked for Fairlight. We produced a digital audio editing system (for those who didn't know).
I didn't know. Got any more tales? How long ago did you work for them? Did you ever go Sarm East or West?
So many questions.......
Went to Sarm west a few times, but not with Fairlight. Visited it quite often when it was Basing Street Studios though.
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