Spot the Pigeon [Import]

Genesis | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 21, 1996)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Phantom Sound & Vision
• ASIN: B000009FOV
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #146,261 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Genesis fans MUST HAVE THIS!!!!!!@#, May 26, 2006

By 

R. Recchia "reck" (blodgett mills, ny) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Spot the Pigeon (Audio CD)

I'm very surprised and disappointed that this EP is not available on Amazon right now or that nobody else has reviewed this yet, for this is a must have if you are a fan of Genesis during their earlier progressive years. The three songs on this were recorded by Genesis during the sessions for Wind and Wuthering. I'm not sure why they were left off that album and it's a shame that they were left off, for I think all three songs on this are better than half the songs that made Wind and Wuthering. Spot the Pigeon was released in 1978 but was not available in the U.S. Two of these songs, 'Pigeons' and 'Inside and Out' would eventually surface on the Genesis Archives, Vol 2 boxed set, though I'm baffled why 'Match Of The Day' didn't. Perhaps the record company thought the song was too 'English'! Anyhoo, let me briefly describe the songs before I take my morning bath...

'Match Of The Day'- Phil Collins talks about an English Football Match (known to us Americans as 'soccer') and gripes about the referees in this quaint, pleasant progressive pop song. Heavy on synthsizers and organ, but not overly so and you can hear all the other instruments. Rutherford gets in a catchy, but melodic bass line. Very good song!

'Pigeons'- Collins actually uses the four letter 's' word in this rather odd but short tune that deals with pigeons and their poop and attempts at cleaning up their poop and it also talks about politicians. The line 'none of us are getting any younger' would pop up again in the tune 'Down and Out' from 'And Then There Were Three'. It sounds like either Rutherford or Hackett play banjo. The same melody is played throughout the song's three minutes and ten seconds. My least favorite of the three songs here, but still quite good.

'Inside and Out'- Not to be confused with Phil's solo tune 'Inside Out'. At six minutes and 42 seconds, this is the longest song on the EP and not surprisingly, the most progressive. The first four minutes are mellow and acoustic and a bit dreamy and features some beautiful singing from Phil. Absolutely gorgeous! The last two and a half minutes see Genesis rocking out and features a very Steve Howe-like guitar solo, which I think is the highlight of the entire EP. It should have gone on Wind and Wuthering!

A must have for Genesis fans!!!@#

4.0 out of 5 stars review, June 25, 2011

By 

Scott Blackerby (Reston, Virginia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Spot The Pigeon (Vinyl)

At one point in time this three song EP was among the most collectable releases in the Genesis catalog with folks paying some major bucks for copies. It's still an in-demand collectable, but' luckily prices have come down quite a bit. Having said that, if you still worship at the band's original progressive alter (think in terms of stuff like "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway", then you're probably going to want to stay away from this one ...

Originally released in the UK under 7" format (Charisma catalog number GEN 001), the US version of "Spot the Pigeon" (the title apparently means something to soccer fans), came out on Atlantic as a 45 rpm 12" EP (there was also a limited edition blue vinyl pressing). Released after longtime guitarist Steve Hackett tendered his notice, the EP showcased a series of Banks-Collins-Rutherford compositions with Steve Hackett contributing to the writing chores on side two's 'Inside and Out'. All of the tracks were apparently recorded during earlier "Wind & Wuthering" sessions, but left off the album since they didn't seem fit the collection's overarching theme, or feel. With a surprisingly bouncy and pop-tinged feel it was easy to see that was the case for side one's 'Match of the Day' and 'Pigeon'. Clearly a transitional release, 'Inside and Out' would have sounded right at home on one of their earlier releases while 'Match of the Day' and 'Pigeons' were clearly intended to dip the band's collective toes into more commercial waters.

- With a cute sports theme seemingly meant to poke fun at English soccer fans (Collins himself was a long standing soccer fans - check out his end-of-song narrative), 'Match of the Day' served as a precursor to the band's forthcoming domination of late-1970s and 1980s airwaves. With Collins increasingly comfortable as the band's lead singer, this one had a breezy, easy-going charm that actually would have sounded good on FM radio. Ironically the band members apparently had a deep-seated dislike of the song, refusing to include it on a number of posthumous collections. rating: **** stars

- Built on a cool Hackett ringing guitar refrain, 'Pigeons' was even more poppy. Longstanding fans were probably appalled by the new top-40 direction but in spite of lyric that really seemed to be about city pigeons (and the mess they leave behind), it's hard to believe this one didn't see chart success. rating: **** stars

- With a plotline apparently having something to do with an individual falsely jailed on rape charges and finally released after completing a twenty year sentence, 'Inside and Out' came off as a more conventional slice of the old progressive-oriented Genesis. Starting off as an almost pastoral ballad, but quickly gathering steam and morphing into a more complex, progressive number, all three members were given opportunities in the spotlight with Banks contributing some nice keyboard and synthesizer moves and Hackett adding nice 12 string guitar throughout. rating: **** stars

"Spot the Pigeon" track listing:

(side 1)

1.) Match of the Day (Tony Banks - Phil Collins - Mike Rutherford) - 3:24

2.) Pigeons (Tony Banks - Phil Collins - Mike Rutherford) - 3:12

(side 2)

1.) Inside and Out (Tony Banks - Phil Collins - Mike Rutherford - Steve Hackett) - 6:45

4.0 out of 5 stars Great EP - actually converted my LP, because I really enjoy the songs, December 4, 2008

By 

Greg Bacon (Baltimore, MD United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Spot the Pigeon (Audio CD)

I'm glad to see Amazon actually has this available to others! This is a great album (EP). I converted the album a little while ago because I wasn't able to find it anywhere! Came out pretty good too! A definite, must have album for those into the earlier years of Genesis with Phil Collins at the helm.