The Silent Sun, a 1980 Decca compilation of Genesis tracks.
This is not an original Genesis album, but a German compilation released by Decca, featuring tracks from the band's early years (the Peter Gabriel era), a reissue of previously released material, a reissue of their 1969 debut, From Genesis To Revelation (stereo), missing tracks 1, 2, 5, 7, 9, and 10 and adding some rare singles, and additional tracks from the singles "The Silent Sun" (tracks A1 and A2, mono) and "A Winter's Tale" (tracks B5 and B6, mono).
The album collects tracks recorded between 1967 and 1969.
At the time, Genesis were teenagers, and their style was far removed from the progressive rock that would make them famous. It's one of Decca's many attempts to exploit the Genesis catalog (to which it holds the rights, unlike the band itself) after the group had become a global superstar in the '70s and '80s.
The audio quality is compressed and, with excessive use of strings and brass added by producer Jonathan King without the band's consent, reflects the band's "baroque pop" period, influenced by the Bee Gees and orchestral instruments imposed by the producer.
- "The Silent Sun" is a string-heavy acoustic ballad, written specifically to appeal to Jonathan King (a huge Bee Gees fan), and Peter Gabriel sings it with a shy tone, far removed from the charisma he would display in later years.
- "That's Me" was the B-side of the first single, slightly more rock and psychedelic, with a beautiful guitar riff by Anthony Phillips that hints at what would become the band's more aggressive style.
- Fireside Song is a pastoral and melancholic piece featuring Tony Banks's grand piano. It's one of the sweetest and most "naive" songs on the album.
- The Serpent is a song with a dark and "hypnotic" atmosphere, almost proto-prog, with a beautiful bass line by Mike Rutherford.
- In the Wilderness has a beautiful, very catchy chorus, and despite the invasive strings, it's one of the album's most beautiful songs.
- The Conqueror has a tight rhythm that vaguely anticipates The Knife.
- In Hiding / In Limbo are songs that blend pop with light experimentation.
- A Place to Call My Own is a short ballad centered on Gabriel's raw voice.
- A Winter's Tale / One Eyed Hound are singles from 1968, added to this edition. A Winter's Tale is an atmospheric piece with beautiful organ, very intense.
The Silent Sun was a commercial venture that revisited the band's pop origins. An "immature" but precious document for listening to Peter Gabriel's young voice. A compilation for collectors and those who want to explore Genesis's more "vintage" sound before they became global superstars.
Note: All links to the musicians' works are in the TAGS under the article title or on the "Artists" page.
Tracklist
A1 The Silent Sun 2:13
A2 That's Me 2:38
A3 Fireside Song 4:15
A4 The Serpent 4:32
A5 In The Wilderness 3:20
B1 In Hiding 3:35
B2 In Limbo 3:25
B3 Silent Sun 2:07
B4 A Place To Call My Own 1:54
B5 A Winter's Tale 3:29
B6 One Eyed Hound 2:30
LineUp
- Peter Gabriel - lead vocals, flute, tambourine
- Anthony Phillips - acoustic and electric guitar, backing vocals
- Tony Banks - piano, organ, backing vocals
- Mike Rutherford - bass, acoustic guitar, backing vocals
- Jonathan Silver - drums and percussion
Featuring:
- Arthur Greenslade - string and brass arrangements, musical director
- Lou Warburton - string and brass arrangements
- David Thomas - vocal harmonies
.jpeg "From Genesis to Revelation (Box Set) by Genesis")
