***The Bard, the water spirit and the volcano would be a better title IMHO.***

Greetings listeners and welcome to our review of Anthony Phillips’ The Geese & the Ghost. This first solo album, by everyone’s second favourite Genesis guitarist, was released in March 1977 after a nearly 7 year gestation. Like Steve’s first solo effort, it features both Phil and Mike, as well as John Hackett on the flute.

This album shows Ant’s sensitive side, with pastoral songs about beautiful ladies, Henry V (or maybe VIII, who knows?), Geese flying west and err…(checks notes) chinese mushroom clouds. This album was not well received by the record company, but many fans see it as a continuation of the Genesis sound laid out on Trespass.

Cowering under the battlements as protection against the wind, Simon & Gary pick over the album that Allmusic would describe as “gorgeous, luscious, languid and utterly pointless” and “very arty in an early 70’s manner” in their review. Is that fair? You either already know what you think, or are eager to find out. Either way click play and discover what two tracks Simon thinks are great, what chart position it got to and what surprising track Gary says is the best on the album. This episode also features a rare abandoned BBC radio documentary on the making of the album. Presented here in three parts for the first time since, I don’t know, 1978 probably.

NEXT EPISODE: Please Don’t Touch by Steve Hackett

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For 10 weeks up until the end of January, we will be releasing an exclusive minisode each Monday. These are only available for people who have donated the price of a coffee to the podcast by clicking on this link. All donations will go towards the running cost of the website and recording equipment, and you’ll get to listen to me talking to myself about records. Also a win/win!

If you’d like to share your thoughts about this album or your opinions of the episode, you can email us at revelationstationpodcast@gmail.com, leave a comment below or join our Facebook group. We would love to hear from you.