Gabriel or Collins?

[mr sneff]

There's been a debate in another thread http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?29638-generally-why-are-most-Audiophiles-Prog-quot-nuts-quot about who was the best vocalist with Genesis. My own feeling is that Phil Collins is the better singer, but that's just my opinion. As far as these things go I'm with Harry Partch who said something along the lines of the only 'absolutes' in music are the fact that sound causes, or is a movement of air which can be detected by the ears. Everything happens between the ears and is a product of neurology. But feel free to agree/disagree if your neurology moves you to do so :)

[Tim]

I really don't think you can compare the two, as they are so different and two very different bands, so I'm taking the fifth ;)
However, if you want to know which Genesis I prefer, Gabriel era, but its got more to do with the music rather than 'who is the better vocalist'

[archiesdad]

Each brought a different sound to the band as did Ray Wilson who was around for a couple of years, none detracted from Genesis's general sound just made it their own.? I like Genesis regardless of who does the vocals.

[keiths]

Never got on with post-Gabriel Genesis, so it's got to be Gabriel for me.

[The Barbarian]

For one i don't like vocals in music too much, i'm a music man foremost.. Being a progger im obviously going to sing the praises of Gabriel era Genesis.. However i believe that Phil was a very very good & obvious replacement.

If a progger approached me & said he did not have 'A Trick Of The Tail' & 'Wind & Wuthering' in their Genesis collection, i'd be very hard pressed to believe them. However good those two albums are i feel they are no way near as technical as Gabriel era, within prog one of the most stand out aspects is constant drumming time changes {odd one's aswell}. Those two albums are a bit too straight forward imho, so i can't really see them in the same prog light as earlier offerings..You know it aint no good taking the piss out of Phil he don't deserve it.. If you listern to something like 'Selling England' or 'Lambs' there is some mighty fine drumming going on in these chaps..

For the record i do own the first two Phil/Genesis LP's & if ever re-issued again they would be on my list..

[mr sneff]

For one i don't like vocals in music too much, i'm a music man foremost.. Being a progger im obviously going to sing the praises of Gabriel era Genesis.. However i believe that Phil was a very very good & obvious replacement.

+1 First time I hear Wind and Wuthering I was impressed with how well Phil Collins voice suited the band. Who would you pick out as good vocalists, given that you aren't that keen on vocals?

[Floyddroid]

This is an endless debate and one full of personal preferance. The band survived different era's and i really think it comes down to which one you prefer. Like many others i think that Genesis were a great Prog band and even without Peter Gabriel recorded prog how we came to know it up until the fore mentioned Wind And Wuthering. After Steve Hackett left the band a transition began from Prog to a more pop sounding genre. This seemed to suit Phil Collins who soon after recorded his first solo album Face Value.
If i was pressed i would say Peter Gabriel for me.

[Gordon Steadman]

Gabriel for me. Phil Collins is a fairly good pop star. I liked all of Gabriel's solo stuff too. Inventive use of sounds and always well crafted.

I have two of Mr Collins' solo tunes in my collection!!

[synsei]

Either/or for me as they both have their good points, however Phil can sound very Gabriel-esque when he puts his mind to it. I am not a huge fan of their more poppy material btw...

[RobbieGong]

Being primerily a 70's - early 80's souls and reggae head I dont really know Genesis stuf. That said I obviously know some of Collins and Gabriels solo / pop chart outtings. I loved 'Sledgehammer' superb! the music, vocals, the lot, just couldnt ignore it. Play it and try not to move with that groove ! So based on that it's Gabriel for me :)

[chelsea]

Neither for me.

[Thing Fish]

Just wondering why you didn't make this a poll?

[mr sneff]

Just wondering why you didn't make this a poll?
I didn't know how to :lol:

[The Barbarian]

Well i can't answer the poll.. for the record the first Steve Hackett LP {'Voyage Of The Acolyte'} has phil singing & drumming on it, another good album i again own..

[sparrow]

Cant vote as I like em both..

[mr sneff]

Cant vote as I like em both..
+1 Too simplistic, there are things I like about both of them.

[Alex_UK]

Well for me, and I think I started the rumble on the other thread... :o when I said "Genesis only became any good once Phil Collins became lead singer..." what I was really meaning was that I disliked the "proggy" Genesis (and believe me I've tried! I have every Genesis album on both analogue and digital) but loved the "rock/pop" Genesis - (probably due to my age - 1983's Genesis was my first exposure to them when I was 14 and losing my musical virginity - their previous material was all sampled retrospectively) but if I had to vote on who's solo work I prefer it would be Gabriel...

[mr sneff]

Well for me, and I think I started the rumble on the other thread... :o when I said "Genesis only became any good once Phil Collins became lead singer..." what I was really meaning was that I disliked the "proggy" Genesis (and believe me I've tried! I have every Genesis album on both analogue and digital) but loved the "rock/pop" Genesis - (probably due to my age - 1983's Genesis was my first exposure to them when I was 14 and losing my musical virginity - their previous material was all sampled retrospectively) but if I had to vote on who's solo work I prefer it would be Gabriel...

Yes, it might depend on when you first heard Genesis. My first exposure was hearing them live when they were support act for Hawkwind in 1972 (if I remember correctly). Having said that I prefer Phil Collins as lead singer.

[kenworthy100]

I have a marginal preference for Gabriel but enjoy both in slightly different ways.

[AlanS]

+1 Too simplistic, there are things I like about both of them.

Yup kiddies

[RichB]

I have a marginal preference for Gabriel but enjoy both in slightly different ways.
+1 spot on

[Bazil]

Well if you have seen Steve Hackett recently then Nad Sylvan is your man as he can sing the songs from both eras of Genesis brilliantly.
Phil has sung Peters songs but not visa versa, Phil doesn't get the atmosphere right with the prog numbers but comes into his own from And Then There Were Three onwards.
Could Peter have sung the poppy songs as good, I don't know.
As said early two different bands, or maybe three with Peter gone for two albums but Hackett remaining.

Oh btw guess who I voted for ;)

[Spectral Morn]

There was a concert that was played on BBC Radio one years ago, not sure from where, but it was perhaps around Wind and Wuthering period and frankly Collins vocals on all the older Gabriel period songs is in my view fabulous. He is the better vocalist by far. However re the actual music, compositions etc then Gabriel period is better overall though my fave Genesis album is Trick of the Tail, with Foxtrot and Selling England by the Pound close seconds.

I won't vote as I think the degree of difference is not as large as the words used suggest

Regards Neil

[DanJennings]

Well I'm too young to have heard either in their prime (I was born in 83)

I personally can't stand Phil Collins as a solo artist, and most of the stuff he did with Genesis, too cheesy, too obvious. (I still like Trick of the Tail though, who doesn't?)

So Gabriel for me. I could happily listen to him sing the phone book as far as I am concerned, he has a lovely voice and I love his stuff with Genesis, especially Trespass, Nursery Cryme and Foxtrot. I also like most of his solo stuff, especially the third one.

I will however happily admit I respect Collins as a drummer, in Brand X in particular, and I also love his work on John Martyn's Grace And Danger, the backing vocals on 'Sweet Little Mystery' are gorgeous.

[Jerry B]

No contest. Peter Gabriel...

[MartinT]

Gabriel is a great singer and Collins is not far behind, so I won't vote as the two options don't apply. If anyone thinks that Genesis were done after Gabriel, they should listen to Seconds Out, a superb live performance featuring Collins.

As for Genesis' best years, I agree with Andr'e that the Selling England... period was technically superb with lots of timing changes a la Yes, great singing by Gabriel and excellent drumming from Collins.

[walpurgis]

Well I put my vote in. The results speak for themselves really. :eyebrows:

Am I surprised? Maybe, seems AOS members are fairly discriminating. All credit to them.

[Haselsh1]

I honestly think that Gabriel's lyrics were pure genius especially on 'Selling England' but my favourite album by them is 'Trick of the Tail' as I think Steve Hackett is an even better genius.

[Audioman]

I won't vote on the basis of the options. Technically Phil Collins is a better vocalist and I rate 'A Trick Of The Tail' as one of their best - made after Gabriel's departure. Anything with Hackett was still up to the earlier high standards and the later stuff is so different it has to be judged on it's own merits. There is still some great proggy tracks on 'We Can't Dance'.

[costerdock]

Peter Gabriel - however Patrick Batemen - puts up a good argument - :lol::lol:

American Psycho
written by Mary Harron & Guinevere Turner, from the novel by Bret Easton Ellis

Patrick Bateman: Do you like Phil Collins? I've been a big Genesis fan ever since the release of their 1980 album, Duke. Before that, I really didn't understand any of their work. Too artsy, too intellectual. It was on Duke where, uh, Phil Collins' presence became more apparent. I think Invisible Touch was the group's undisputed masterpiece. It's an epic meditation on intangibility. At the same time, it deepens and enriches the meaning of the preceding three albums. Christy, take off your robe. Listen to the brilliant ensemble playing of Banks, Collins and Rutherford. You can practically hear every nuance of every instrument. Sabrina, remove your dress. In terms of lyrical craftsmanship, the sheer songwriting, this album hits a new peak of professionalism. Sabrina, why don't you, uh, dance a little. Take the lyrics to Land of Confusion. In this song, Phil Collins addresses the problems of abusive political authority. In Too Deep is the most moving pop song of the 1980s, about monogamy and commitment. The song is extremely uplifting. Their lyrics are as positive and affirmative as, uh, anything I've heard in rock. Christy, get down on your knees so Sabrina can see your ass. Phil Collins' solo career seems to be more commercial and therefore more satisfying, in a narrower way. Especially songs like In the Air Tonight and, uh, Against All Odds. Sabrina, don't just stare at it, eat it. But I also think Phil Collins works best within the confines of the group, than as a solo artist, and I stress the word artist. This is Sussudio, a great, great song, a personal favorite.

[slowmotion]

I prefer Peter Gabriel. But I also think "A Trick of the Tail" was Genesis' last album .... :)

[Haselsh1]

Yeah, I tend to agree that 'Trick of the Tail' is something very special and was the last true Genesis album before all of that dire eighties drivel. I also think that when Hackett left, Genesis left with him.