Tag: Duke

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Duke (1980) – Genesis

On 28 March 1980, Duke* was released. On this album, Genesis went back to jamming together instead of bringing in individual songs. Let’s take a look back on the album that produced the instant classic ‘Turn It On Again’.

Phil Collins became a songwriter

Genesis’ tour in 1978 had lasted almost a year and in consequence, Phil Collins’ marriage had fallen apart. Phil asked for a break to save his marriage. Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford agreed and both of them released their first solo records. Going to Canada, where his wife had moved to with their children, Phil Collins tried to save his marriage. He could not and came back to England, sitting alone in his home in Surrey and spending his time writing songs, something he had never done before.

The band started jamming again

In 1979, Genesis came together to write a new album. Tony and Mike came to Phil’s house and were surprised to find that Phil had become a songwriter. They all brought in songs individually into the jam sessions, but more importantly, they went back to just rehearsing and improvising, something they had stopped doing since Peter Gabriel’s departure. The new songs were very strong. They were modern and still typically Genesis.

Turn It On Again

Fans could get a taste when ‘Turn It on Again’ was released as a single in early March 1980. The song became a classic Genesis song. ‘Turn It On Again’ is central to Genesis’ history. It shows how good the three were getting at incorporating complex and challenging musical ideas into pop songs that would be played on the radio. Based on a riff of Mike’s, the song has an odd 13/8 time signature, but listeners do not realize until they start to clap along or tap their toes to it.

The song was played on every tour since its release. It was mostly played as an encore and from 1983 onwards, the band turned it into a medley that incorporated various rock and roll cover songs. They also named a a hit collection after the song (Turn it on again: The Hits*) and when they announced their reunion tour in 2007 they titled it Turn It on Again – The Tour.*

On an album with outstanding songs, this weird, driving number had a special place. The single reached #8 in the U.K. charts and allowed the group to perform on Top of the Pops in person for the first time. The album itself was called Duke. It was released in late March 1980 and it was the band’s first number one album in the U.K.

‘This is the story of Albert’

There is a story behind the album, the main protagonist being Albert, the character on the album cover. The album opens with ‘Behind The Lines’, a grand musical odyssey that starts with an euphoric instrumental passage and then turns into a soulful song. With an opener like this, Genesis proudly demonstrated who they were in 1980. The trio showed again that they were (and are) the musical core of Genesis. They were the ones who had created the most important passages of ‘Supper’s Ready’, the closing section of ‘The Cinema Show’ and the main bulk of the album The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway.*

‘Misunderstanding’ was a hit in the US

But as mentioned, the three of them did also bring in individual songs on Duke. Phil’s songs were the very personal ‘Please don’t ask’ and ‘Misunderstanding’, which was one of the first songs he had ever written all alone for Genesis. It is a sophisitcated pop song with direct, simple lyrics and a great swinging groove. The band sound like they enjoy the new influence. Funnily enough it was this song that became a Top Twenty hit in the US – a hint at Phil’s solo success in the future.

Tony Banks often named Duke one of his favourite Genesis albums and points out the song ‘Duchess’, which for him combines all the best elements of modern Genesis. It was their first song to feature a drum machine (many more would follow) and the song’s story can be seen similar to the band’s own story. It is one of Tony’s favourite Genesis songs and although it sounds very simple, for him it has as much emotion as ‘Supper’s Ready’.

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Listen to brilliant live versions from the Lyceum gigs of the 1980 Duke-tour on “Genesis – BBC Broadcasts” – Get it here!*

Genesis Music on Amazon*

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Face Value (1981) – Phil Collins

In February 1981, Phil Collins unveiled his debut solo album, Face Value, marking a significant departure from his role as Genesis’s frontman. The album not only showcased Collins’s personal and musical evolution but also cemented his status as a prominent solo artist in the 1980s.

Genesis and Personal Turmoil

By 1978, Collins had transitioned from Genesis’s drummer to its lead vocalist. The band’s 1978 album, …And Then There Were Three…, featured the hit “Follow You Follow Me,” signaling a shift towards more concise and direct songs. During this period, Collins faced personal challenges; his wife, Andrea, threatened to leave due to his extensive touring commitments. Upon returning from a tour, Collins discovered that Andrea had moved to Canada with their children. Despite efforts to reconcile, including a move to Vancouver, the marriage ended in divorce.

Creation of Face Value

In the aftermath of his divorce, Collins channeled his emotions into music. He set up a home studio in Surrey, equipped with a piano, drum machine, and an 8-track tape recorder. Here, he began crafting demos that delved into his personal experiences. When Genesis regrouped to work on their 1980 album, Duke, Collins presented some of these demos. Two tracks, “Misunderstanding” and “Please Don’t Ask,” were included in the album. Encouraged by the positive reception, Collins decided to pursue a solo project, collaborating with producer Hugh Padgham to develop his demos into a full-length album.

Musical Diversity and Notable Tracks

Face Value is a tapestry of various musical styles, reflecting Collins’s diverse influences. The opening track, “In the Air Tonight,” is renowned for its haunting atmosphere and the iconic drum break that has since become legendary. The song’s lyrics were largely improvised, capturing the raw emotion of the moment.

Another standout track, “I Missed Again,” introduces a brass section featuring the Phenix Horns, known for their work with Earth, Wind & Fire. This collaboration infused the song with a vibrant, funky energy, a sound that would become a hallmark of Collins’s future solo endeavors.

The album also explores a range of genres:

“The Roof Is Leaking”: A track with Delta blues and country influences, adding to the album’s eclectic nature.

“You Know What I Mean”: A poignant ballad showcasing Collins’s vulnerability, accompanied solely by piano and vocals.

“Hand in Hand”: An instrumental piece blending jazz and world music elements, highlighting the talents of the assembled musicians.

Commercial Success and Legacy

Upon its release, Face Value received critical acclaim and achieved significant commercial success. The album topped the UK Albums Chart for three weeks and reached No. 7 on the US Billboard 200. It has since sold over 5 million copies in the US and over 1.5 million in the UK. The success of Face Value not only established Collins as a solo artist but also set the stage for a series of successful albums throughout the 1980s.

In retrospect, Face Value stands as a testament to Phil Collins’s ability to translate personal adversity into a universally relatable and sonically diverse album. Its enduring appeal lies in its raw emotion, innovative production, and the seamless fusion of various musical styles.