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Phil Collins Face Value - Listen Again!

Posted about 4 years ago
Lately, when you hear the name Phil Collins, you may immediately think about his more recent, and, uh.. commercial works (Sussidio?) - but I recommend to all another listen of his seminal first solo album, "Face Value". While the most obvious song associated with this album is the iconic "In the Air Tonight", I'm recommending a re-listen to "The Roof is Leaking".It sort of stands out - a story song of pioneers struggling to make it through the winter.. in the midst of a lot of self-examination and lost love songs in the rest of the album. However, if you think about it, the isolation, the cold and the fear of the subject of "The Roof is Leaking" is perhaps the perfect allegory for someone struggling to overcome a lost love:The roof is leaking and the wind is howlingKids are crying 'cos the sheets are so coldWoke this morning found my hands were frozenI've tried to fix the fire, but you know the damn thing's too old The overall album reminds me in some respects of "Pet Sounds" by the Beach Boys - it's deceptively simple and easy on the ears, but if you listen again, you can pick up some great arrangements, including some truly gifted contributions by Eric Clapton, bassist Alphonso Johnson, killer horn tracks from Tom Tom Washington.. and even violin from L. Shankar.This is not an album to download or to listen to with earbuds. Get the cd, turn the lights low, pour a glass of your favorite drink, and enjoy, again.
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Comments (7)

  1. mister gary at work again
    mister gary at work again says I'm always up for ALMOST any and all Phil Collins - he lost me when he started churning out covers of Lauper-famous tunes alongside Disney soundtrack fare. Still, the man was a fine songwriter and performer for many, many years.
    Permalink posted 01/30/2008
  2. kat3260
    kat3260 says _Get the cd, turn the lights low, pour a glass of your favorite drink, and enjoy, again._ You had me at "favorite drink" hehe. I may be wrong, but I don't think I've ever listened to this album from start to finish. I definitely don't have it in my collection, which is surprising considering my love for "In The Air Tonight".
    Permalink posted 01/30/2008
  3. wdog
    wdog says There was a post some time ago about your favorite music to drink to.. for me, "Face Value" was a dangerous partner to a bottle of Jack Daniels on the heals of my divorce many years ago.. something about the line in "The Air Tonight", "if you told me you were drowning, I would not lend a hand" that appeals to the broken-hearted.. ..but even in the happy days of a wonderful second marriage, the album still comes highly recommended.. and is really one of those you can sit in a dimly-lit room by yourself and listen to.. and if you're not drowning sorrow, I would forego the Jack Daniels in favor of a Chilian cabernet.. cheers!
    Permalink posted 01/30/2008
  4. kat3260
    kat3260 says Mmm Jack Daniels. He's my best buddy when times get rough...I know, first sign that I have a "problem" but whatever :) "In The Air Tonight" is a good for break-ups or any time that you've been done wrong. I've definitely belted out "It's all been a pack-a lies" at the top of my lungs with a specific someone in mind... Those Chilean Cabs are all the rage these days...I just had a client recommend the "Concha y Toro":http://www.conchaytoro.com/PLT_loadflash.asp?NamePage=NuestrosVinos&SessionId=&Language=1&Modality=0&Section=1&Content=23253&DateView=&Style=-1 wines. I haven't gotten a hold of any yet...what's your recommendation? I love talking vino
    Permalink posted 01/30/2008
  5. wdog
    wdog says Well, I'd hate to be pretending to have too much of a clue - I have had the Concha y Toro which I really enjoyed, and I also really enjoy the Santa Rita Cabernet - very nice for a relatively inexpensive wine.. but then, I'm also a big fan of Gallo Rhine Wine.. so take my thoughts for what they're worth :)
    Permalink posted 01/30/2008
  6. mitchy
    mitchy says Phil and a nice Aussie red- A pretty good combo. This album is a classic
    Permalink posted 01/31/2008
  7. wdog
    wdog says ..yes.. well, of course, the Aussie's have created some good wines.. not like the old days.. "Of the sparkling wines, the most famous is Perth Pink. This is a bottle with a message in, and the message is 'beware'. This is not a wine for drinking, this is a wine for laying down and avoiding. Another good fighting wine is Melbourne Old-and-Yellow, which is particularly heavy and should be used only for hand-to-hand combat." ..sorry Mitchie.. but as a confirmed Pythonist.. I couldn't resist.. lol
    Permalink posted 01/31/2008

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