I was at a loose end last night. It was raining out. It's always raining out these days it seems. Something was happening in Iran. But I couldn't face that. So I did something I've never done. In all my sixty years so it's probably about time. I put on The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway and listened to all four sides of it. All ninety minutes.
It's an old brother's record. My older brother Michael to be precise. I inherited a pile of them from him. Led Zep. Black Sabbath. Springsteen and Genesis. I turned down the chance of Jethro Tull and Queen.
But I like Genesis partuclarly Gabriel era Genesis. And I enjoyed The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway a lot. In fact it was a revelation.
It's too long I'd say. Would anyone disagree . But it's a narrative about essential things. Identity. The creative instinct. Surveillance. Control. You can follow the lyrics if you want. Genesis is made up of a group of extraordinary musicians. But I found myself most impressed and astonished by Tony Banks bank of organs and keyboards which made a claim to be lead instruments for much of the record.
Spellbound by the journer I did some research afterwards Fascinating. It wasn't a road to Damascus experience I'd maintain.. I'll return to my meat and potatoes. My Velvet Underground and Marvin Gaye. My R.E.M. and Smiths. But I'll pit on The Lamb at least once a year I expect, I've got an enormous amoynt of respect for it and where it came from now.
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