The Geese & The Ghost

Anthony Phillips first appeared in the timeline as the original guitarist for Genesis. Unable to make the commitment to life in a rock band, he left in 1970 and returned to formal music studies at Guildhall School of Music & Drama. His friendship with Mike Rutherford never wavered-in fact, with Phil Collins, they recorded the unreleased single "Silver Song" b/w "Only Your Love" in 1973 for Charisma Records, during a lull in Genesis' activity. In 1974, he and Rutherford began a collaboration on what would later become his debut solo album; but the latter's commitments to Genesis would prolong the process by years. True to form, Phillips never left his musical connection to Genesis too far behind. Released in 1977, The Geese & The Ghost is a strong testament to that association. The gentle 12-string number "Which Way the Wind Blows" wouldn't sound out of place on a current Genesis album, or Trespass, for that matter; Collins even provides most of the vocals here. But it's the baroque styling of "Henry: Portraits from Tudor Times" that both dominates the album and reveals Phillips's art. With guitars fluttering away, he and Rutherford paint gentle, acoustic landscapes, not unlike the Peter Cross-penned art that also graces the album's cover. The arrangements are lyrical and exquisite, with flute, oboe and cello all adding color. Phillips takes a vocal (and piano) break on the terribly romantic "Collections," while only the second half of the title track provides any electricity to this otherwise pastoral album. Phillips would stick to the formula implemented here with his "library" series of instrumental releases, all bearing the cheeky subtitle Private Parts and Pieces. Though anachronistic with contemporary musical trends, the album was a genuine success, reputedly selling tens of thousands of copies. It also earned Phillips a contract with Arista, and a shot at a few albums that would be larger in both scope and budget.