Pre-Nursery Cryme - The Musical Box

[firth5th]

Here is an early version of the Musical Box, several months prior to the recording of it on Nursery Cryme. It's a work-in-progress. Some of the lyrics haven't been written. There are parts in the final version that are not in this one.

The particulars:

Recorded in the BBC on May 10, 1971. http://bbchron.blogspot.com/2013/05/...-sessions.html

Nursery Cryme was recorded in August 1971 and released in November 1971. So this was three months before the recording on the studio version



What is most interesting is Steve Hackett's parts. Hackett joined around Christmas 1970, so he was in the band around five months at this point. His guitar tone was different, sounding very fuzz boxy. The lead guitar around the 4:00 mark sounds 1960-ish to me. He changed a lot in the three months from this recording to the Nursery Cryme recording.I don't think he was tapping yet.


Interesting evolution of this song. Of course, parts of the song were started in the 60s.

[JJ88]

As I said on the Canterbury thread, these BBC sessions of the 70s have so much historical value. In the case of Genesis, the most interesting BBC material is their first session, as it had all those songs which never made it into the studio at all.

This 'Musical Box' is from their second BBC session and is essentially a first draft of the track with Gabriel singing dummy lyrics in part. The Nursery Cryme arrangement is undoubtedly tighter and superior, but it's interesting to hear. A pity they didn't do unrecorded things like 'The Light', 'Wooden Mask' (nobody has ever heard this!) and the rock arrangement of 'Going Out To Get You' for the BBC. (PS;Seven Stones' is a marvellous track that they should have played more often. I think Steve Hackett should do that one.)

Genesis have issued very few of their BBC sessions...basically only what's on the first Archive box. Probably the BBC holy grail for me would be the full Wembley '75 which the BBC broadcast in part.

[GuitarGeek]

I think Tony Banks said that Ant and Mick Barnard (the temporary guitarist who played with them briefly after it was decided the quartet experiment wasn't going to work) should have been listed in the byline, because apparently both of contributed to the final result.

[wilcox660]

Hackett & Banks have told me that The Wooden Mask was recorded. No one can find it, evidently.

[wilcox660]

I have heard horrid quality live versions of both The Light & the rock version of Going Out To Get You. I wish I could find where I have them!

[dpt3]

I have heard horrid quality live versions of both The Light & the rock version of Going Out To Get You. I wish I could find where I have them!

Both are on Youtube.

[yesstiles]

Even though the audio quality is terrible, what we have of "The Light" is incredible. A classic sub-epic (8 1/2 minutes) song with all the parts needed to fill out Nursery Cryme to a length similar to all their other albums. A great loss for sure. I love that song. Thank you random guy in Belgium 1971!

[GuitarGeek]

Even though the audio quality is terrible, what we have of "The Light" is incredible. A classic sub-epic (8 1/2 minutes) song with all the parts needed to fill out Nursery Cryme to a length similar to all their other albums. A great loss for sure. I love that song. Thank you random guy in Belgium 1971!

Yeah, but if they had actually used it, we wouldn't have had Lilywhite Lilith.

[Moribund]

Thanks for posting this. The Musical Box remains my favorite song for all these years. I find it perfect. It's interesting to see how it progressed (no pun intended) to perfection.

[undergroundrailroad]

Here is an early version of the Musical Box, several months prior to the recording of it on Nursery Cryme. It's a work-in-progress. Some of the lyrics haven't been written. There are parts in the final version that are not in this one.

The particulars:

Recorded in the BBC on May 10, 1971. http://bbchron.blogspot.com/2013/05/...-sessions.html

Nursery Cryme was recorded in August 1971 and released in November 1971. So this was three months before the recording on the studio version

What is most interesting is Steve Hackett's parts. Hackett joined around Christmas 1970, so he was in the band around five months at this point. His guitar tone was different, sounding very fuzz boxy. The lead guitar around the 4:00 mark sounds 1960-ish to me. He changed a lot in the three months from this recording to the Nursery Cryme recording.I don't think he was tapping yet.


Interesting evolution of this song. Of course, parts of the song were started in the 60s.

Also, "Manipulation" from Genesis Plays Jackson (dated 9 Jan 1970 on the tape box) is another step in between Ant's demo and the BBC recording.

[Rufus]

Interesting demo but Collin's 'crash bang whallop' approach when let loose is very prominent here during the instrumental section!

[moecurlythanu]

Interesting demo but Collin's 'crash bang whallop' approach when let loose is very prominent here during the instrumental section!

All the articles in drummer/musicians' magazines about Phil Collins that I've read emphasize how "musical" his drumming is. Direct quote, over and over. "Crash, bang, whallop?" Once again, you show yourself to be the singularly most unknowledgeable person on the board. The wearer of the surgically attached dunce cap. The fool. The moron.

[Scott Bails]

All the articles in drummer/musicians' magazines about Phil Collins that I've read emphasize how "musical" his drumming is. Direct quote, over and over. "Crash, bang, whallop?" One again, you show yourself to be the singularly most unknowledgeable person on the board. The wearer of the surgically attached dunce cap. The fool. The moron.

[ca1ore]

As I said on the Canterbury thread, these BBC sessions of the 70s have so much historical value. In the case of Genesis, the most interesting BBC material is their first session, as it had all those songs which never made it into the studio at all.

This 'Musical Box' is from their second BBC session and is essentially a first draft of the track with Gabriel singing dummy lyrics in part. The Nursery Cryme arrangement is undoubtedly tighter and superior, but it's interesting to hear. A pity they didn't do unrecorded things like 'The Light', 'Wooden Mask' (nobody has ever heard this!) and the rock arrangement of 'Going Out To Get You' for the BBC.

Genesis have issued very few of their BBC sessions...basically only what's on the first Archive box. Probably the BBC holy grail for me would be the full Wembley '75 which the BBC broadcast in part.

The complete BBC sessions are always an enjoyable listen to me. I particularly enjoy the versions of Hogweed - one with very prominent vocals from PC.

You sure the Wembley '75 show was a BBC recording? I was under the impression G had the masters in their possession.

[JJ88]

^It was broadcast by the BBC at the time, I didn't say they recorded it as I don't know who did what. Around that time they also broadcast Pink Floyd playing live at the same place (Wembley Empire Pool), which I gather is the only multi-track live recording of that whole period.

There has indeed been speculation that the band have the complete show. They are sitting on some really great stuff.

[Progatron]

The complete BBC sessions are always an enjoyable listen to me.

Yep, one of my favourites! For starters, it's the only other recording of Harlequin we have.

[dpt3]

I actually prefer the first version of Stagnation!

[Progatron]

^I only recently discovered 'Seven Stones' was played live.

Yes, the August '72 gig from Genoa, Italy is the only known live recording. As far as I'm aware, it was only brought out for that short tour and never played again. Fortunately someone taped that show, at least. It's long been a top five Genesis show for me because of that significant rarity! There are one or two other major rarities from those early days of course, but I happen to love that song.

[squonkduke]

Yep, one of my favourites! For starters, it's the only other recording of Harlequin we have.

Actually, there's another Harlequin from Watford, Technical College, 04-Mar-1972, but it's an appalling sound quality audience source.

[Trane]

wholllley shit!!

I had no idea this had been put on YT (not even aware it existed)



There is a version of The Light, too!!

[Progatron]

Actually, there's another Harlequin from Watford, Technical College, 04-Mar-1972, but it's an appalling sound quality audience source.

Ahh, of course! And I have that too, on an old Highland label boot.

[Rufus]

All the articles in drummer/musicians' magazines about Phil Collins that I've read emphasize how "musical" his drumming is. Direct quote, over and over. "Crash, bang, whallop?" Once again, you show yourself to be the singularly most unknowledgeable person on the board. The wearer of the surgically attached dunce cap. The fool. The moron.

Put his trophy's on the table....zilch

Collins is known as a 'good drummer' in the industry, nothing more and nothing less.

[ca1ore]

Ah, OK, that wasn't clear to me. The PF BBC recording was mostly released in their recent box set versions - all except Echoes.

[Progatron]

'Seven Stones' is a marvellous track that they should have played more often. I think Steve Hackett should do that one.

Agreed, and I'm surprised he hasn't dusted it off for the GR tours. I know he's fond of it, as he told me himself!

[ca1ore]

'Echoes' is just recently also out...but, alas, buried within the exclusive disc of the expensive Early Years box.

Is it, missed that. Not worth $470 though Will have to live with my acceptable boot version.