Genesis "The Light"

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"The Light" is this semi-legendary track from the early days of Genesis, like from before or around the time they put out "Nursery Cryme". According to the sleevenotes from that Peter Gabriel era Genesis 4CD set from a few years ago, it was one of a number of pieces they wrote, and performed live regularly, but never recorded, or in some cases did record, but the tapes are lost. No doubt bits from some of these pieces were recycled into other pieces - "The Light" itself got drastically shortened and became "Lillywhite Lillith", from "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway". I remember getting this 12" vinyl boot of a Genesis gig in IIRC France from '71 or '72 that had "The Light" on it in at the record shop, but the quality of it was incredibly poor.

Given that between "Trespass" and "Nursery Cryme", the band used to play shitloads of gigs all over the place, it's kind of surprising that one never hears of any live tapes from this period, during which time I think they really were fucking on one. To the best of my knowledge, the poor-quality boot I heard is the only recording of Genesis playing "The Light" Does anyone have any live recordings of genesis from this time they can gmail or ysi? I must admit the whole approach and sound of the band at that time is something I find completely fascinating and captivating - the mixture of the band's sound - this kind of fucked-up mix of csny, the anglican hymn-book, and kind of stop/start semi rock (ish), w/gabriel's attempts at being a soul-singer mixed w/this unbelievable lyrical perversity stuck over the top. Really, I think "Nursery Cryme" was the band's peak, and I really wish they'd recorded an album between that and "Trespass" as well.

Pashmina (Pashmina), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 07:41 (twenty years ago)

I used to have a really poor quality boot from somewhere in Italy that had The Light on it, but it was really quite unlistenable. I recently dl'd some early live Italian gigs but they are on my laptop at home and I haven't looked too closely at tracklists/dates, I will check tonight. Other than that the earliest gig I have is Reading Festival 72 I think.

mzui (mzui), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 08:09 (twenty years ago)

That boot I was talking about is called 'Besides The Silent Mirror', in case you are interested.

mzui (mzui), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 08:16 (twenty years ago)

From what I can vaguely remember reading (maybe from Armando Gallo's book?) I got the impression that Tony Banks had recordings from this and the Cottage period, including the whole of a 45 minute piece called 'The Movement', which they were still digging into during the Trick of the Tail sessions.

I was quite surprised when nothing surfaced on the archive set.

Guilty Boksen (Bro_Danielson), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 10:41 (twenty years ago)

OK i found details of a series of "fan releases" called the "h0gw33ds", or, er something like that, heh, which includes a '71 belgian recording (probably the same as the "silent mirror" one you refer to, mzui), incl "the light" which apparently also includes part of "the raven" as well. Sounds like they did more recycling than pink floyd, even. Someone has had a go @ cleaning the recording up. Does anyone know of a way to obtain these? There was a link to a ftp site, and they had a password next to the link, but no username! This is paining me, can anyone help a feller out here?

Pashmina (Pashmina), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 13:08 (twenty years ago)

Pash, have you ever looked at easytr33.0rg they have a lot of Genesis stuff as b1t-t@rrent uploads.

Like I said, I think I may have this somewhere on me laptop, I have a few of the HW remaster projects.

mzui (mzui), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 13:51 (twenty years ago)

oh bloody hell, it's not easytr33 now, that site got shut down it's now d1m3ad0z3n.org sorry mate.

mzui (mzui), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 13:53 (twenty years ago)

I found a torrent on DAD, a 4 cd compilation of rare songs with these tracks among others. If you'd like I can grab it for you.

Genesis Rare Tapes
CD1

Looking For Someone (February 22, 1970)

An early classic of the band, this song was never performed live after the
Trespass tour. Taken from a BBC "live in the studio" recording, this is one
of the earliest live Genesis recordings in known existance. Recorded in
London, UK.


The Light (March 7, 1971)

The only known recording of this song, "The Light" would eventually develop
into "Lillywhite Lilith," as well as parts of "The Colony of Slippermen" from
"The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway." This song was perhaps the first Genesis
song to have lyrics written by Phil Collins. Recorded at the Woluve in
LaFerme, Belgium.


Twilight Alehouse (February 26, 1972)

A early classic that was was written before Trespass (actually, a small bit
can be heard on "From Genesis To Revelation") this song was never officially
released until the "Selling England By The Pound" period, despite being a
staple of the early live set. Recorded at the Civic Hall in Dunstable, UK.


Harlequin (March 4, 1972)

Although not performed often, "Harlequin" was sometimes used to open Nursery
Cryme tour shows (when "Happy The Man" was not). Recorded at the Technical
College in Watford, UK.


Bye Bye Johnny (April 14, 1972)

One of the rare examples of Genesis performing songs before released on an
album, "Bye Bye Johnny" is acutally an early version of the "Foxtrot" song
"Can-Utility And The Coastliners." Recorded at the Palasport in Pavia, Italy.


Happy The Man (April 18, 1972)

"Happy The Man" was another often-performed song that was never released on
an album. This recording is one of the better quality recordings of Nursery
Cryme tour shows. Recorded at the Piper Club in Rome, Italy.


Going Out To Get You (April 18, 1972)

Cut from "Trespass" to make room for "The Knife," "Going Out To Get You" is
another song written possibly as early as the "From Genesis To Revelation"
period. However, unlike "Twilight Alehouse," "Going Out To Get You" was only
sparingly performed live by the band. Recorded at the Piper Club in Rome,
Italy.


One-Handed Drum Solo (June 28, 1972)

Serving the same function as Peter's now-famous stories, the One-Handed Drum
Solo was a time-filler when instruments required tuning or repair. "...Phil
Collins went to Russia to study under a famous spastic..." Recorded at the
Town Hall in Watford, UK.


Can-Utility And The Coastliners (August 20, 1972)

"Can-Utility" was originally in the standard Foxtrot tour setlist, but it was
dropped relatively early in the tour. Recorded at the Piper 2000 Club in Via
Reggio, Italy.


Seven Stones (August 22, 1972)

During the band's early years, one of the only areas that actually liked
Genesis was Italy. Because of their loyalty to the band, Genesis often
rewarded the Italian fans with some rare songs; this performance of "Seven
Stones" is an example of this. This recently-uncovered recording (the
complete song) was recorded at the Teatro Alcione in Genova, Italy.


Hope this helps everyone understand why tracks are noteworthy!

-Glenn Radecki

--

Genesis Rare Tapes
CD 2

Supper's Ready (November 18, 1972)

"Supper's Ready" was and is perhaps the definitive early-Genesis classic.
This is the earliest known live recording of the song. Recorded at Imperial
College in London, UK.


Harold The Barrel (January 20, 1974)

"Harold The Barrel" was only occassionally performed on the Selling England
By The Pound Tour (and not very often at all!) This recording is from the
Palasport in Reggio Emilia, Italy.


Horizons (May 4, 1974)

Only occasionally performed live by the band as an intro to "Supper's Ready,"
"Horizons" was perhaps the only Genesis song entirely composed by Steve
Hackett. Recorded at the Academy of Music in New York City, USA, at the
second to last show of the Selling England By The Pound Tour.


Watcher Of The Skies (January 24, 1975)

While every Lamb tour show had "The Musical Box" as an encore, second encores
were much rarer. "Watcher Of The Skies" was only occassionally performed as
a second encore on the Lamb Tour. Recorded at the Shrine Auditorium in Los
Angeles, USA. This song and the next two are the only tracks from the
January 24, 1975 Lamb show that were not released on the official box set
"Genesis Archives Vol. 1: 1967-1975."


It (January 24, 1975)

This track was apparently, according to the band, was "left off" their tapes
of the Shrine show. In its place on the box set, a new studio recording of
the song was included. Recorded at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, USA.


The Musical Box (January 24, 1975)

The third track from the Shrine show that was not released on the boxset.
"The Musical Box" was performed at every Lamb show as an encore. Recorded at
the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, USA.


The Waiting Room (May 2, 1975)

During the final leg of the Lamb tour in Europe, Genesis would often perform
rather long versions of "The Waiting Room." Perhaps the best example of a
Genesis song comprised of jamming, this track was recorded at the Hippodrome
in Birmingham, UK.

mzui (mzui), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 14:03 (twenty years ago)

Holy fuck. If you can grab that one, I'd be forever indebted. a live version of "Seven Stones"!

Pashmina (Pashmina), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 14:12 (twenty years ago)

It may take a wee while as it is 1.4g but I'll kick it off tonight.

mzui (mzui), Tuesday, 14 June 2005 14:17 (twenty years ago)

I can't seem to find this on that particular site... is it under a different name? mzui, did you snag it?

kyle (akmonday), Sunday, 26 June 2005 22:55 (twenty years ago)

I did indeed, I mailed Pash but he/she didn't answer, I have the 4 CD set on my computer at work waiting to be burned off.

mzui (mzui), Monday, 27 June 2005 06:22 (twenty years ago)

I thought I had answered, mzui! My apologies!

Pashmina (Pashmina), Monday, 27 June 2005 07:52 (twenty years ago)

you big girl

mark s (mark s), Monday, 27 June 2005 09:26 (twenty years ago)

ptthhhhrrrpppppt.

Pashmina (Pashmina), Monday, 27 June 2005 09:30 (twenty years ago)

one month passes...
Did you get a copy of "The Light", Pashmina?

Pangolino 2, Monday, 15 August 2005 14:48 (twenty years ago)

one month passes...
I did! I got the 4 CDs from MZUI, (for which many thanx), and I got the remastered version of the Belgian gig - "La Ferme", March 7th 1971, apparently the first tour they did with Phil Collins and Steve Hackett, and the only tour where they played "The Light". This is the only recording of it available, perhaps some of the band members have recordings of it which have not been released, I don't know.

Even in remastered form, the recording is borderline listenable. It actually sounds OK-ish on the crappy tiny little speakers on the side of the computer monitor, but on my home setup, I had to turn the treble all the way up, and mentally tune out the tape hiss.

The set is: happy the man/stagnation/the light/twilight alehouse/musical box/the knife/going out to get you

The shit sound quality is frustrating, because the band sound good & gnarly, especially on "musical box". Gabriel is a bit all over the place. The version of "musical box" is slightly different to the one on "nursery cryme", it starts from later on, and has a few short extra bits here & there.

"the light" is parts of "lillywhite lillith" from "the lamb lies down on broadway", as is well known ("well" known, ha ha ha ha) A couple of verses/choruses, with the little high guitar break coming before the "the chamber was in confusion" verse, and the "lilltwhithe lillith, she's going to..." chorus missing. The chorus on "the light" seems to start with the same organ chords that bring in "watcher of the skies". Masters of recycling, I think. There's a long instrumental break, organ/flute mainly. It sounds a bit thrown together and unfocussed, but there are good bits as well. There's a couple of seconds in the middle where it sounds like it's going to go all philip glass on us.

Even as it is, I like it better than "happy the man" or "twilight alehouse" "Lillywhite lillith" is much better, really. Still, I'd like a good recording of it.

This quixotic part of me is tempted to rip it as a .wav, import it into "cubase" and try and work it all out. It would be phun to play it live to the right sort of audience (mentalists, probably)

I note this, as well:

Watford Town Hall, 26th January 1971 (supporting Johnny Winter)
Billy Walker, Sounds, 10th February 1971

Genesis did the first half of the show and never really took off. They built up their songs but seemed to let them go flat again. the musicianship is there but the blend of humour between - songs and their inability to really get hold of the audience let them down. A nice band who did some nice numbers including "Moss", 'Twilight Ale House" and "Light".

"Moss"? What is "Moss"? Argh.

Pashmina (Pashmina), Tuesday, 11 October 2005 11:48 (twenty years ago)

I was able to get a copy of the La Ferme show, but haven't played it yet as it's part of a heaping backlog. I read this not long ago - it's pretty interesting:

Genesis Plays Jackson - "The Jackson Tapes"

Long believed totally lost or at least unobtainable, it now seems that Genesis have regained control of these previously unheard sessions and are planning to make them available through this website.

The following quote from Tony Banks is reproduced courtesy of the Waiting Room (www.twronline.net) :

Quote:
T B: Talking about Musical Box the thing that has emerged which has emerged quite recently is this thing we did with Paul Samwell-Smith …the Jackson Tape which this guy has finally tracked down and I have got it actually… I have got a copy of it and we are going to get hold of the original... to be honest the copy is probably as good as the original because it is just mono… I don't think it is a stereo mix. The thing I have got is not bad; its just a copy. Paul Samwell -Smith was the producer and the other guy was probably the TV producer and the guy who has got the tape is the son. And having got this thing because it has got the early versions of things that we used in things like Fountain Of Salmacis, Anyway … most of Anyway is in there and Musical Box and stuff… you have probably heard it, haven't you?

TWR: NO! I wish I had…

T B: That is something that isn't out there which is quite interesting and so we are going to get hold of it and pay the guy for this stuff and we probably will do something with that through the web site because there is about fifteen minutes of music there and it is very… it comes and goes a bit (laughs) and the first three pieces we have pillaged pretty extensively... lots of bits of Looking For Someone and stuff like that but the fourth piece we didn’t really pillage at all and it is actually rather nice it is a much softer piece and it has a loud bit in it…


Pangolino 2, Tuesday, 11 October 2005 18:01 (twenty years ago)


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