Comment From Mark ~
Hi! 
I just stumbled upon your site and videos while searching for videos of people playing "Hairless Heart", which I had just learned to play last night, and noticed that many people play it differently. 
Anyway, I love your work! 
I need to dig out my Archives Vol. 1 and listen again. I had no idea so much of it was redone. 
Also, just saw "The Musical Box" roll through my town this week.
 Great show, if you get a chance to see it. I was particularly impressed with the guitar effect setup. 
It seemed to be all 1974 vintage accurate: giant electro-mechanical echo boxes and a lengthy array of foot pedals. 
Surely they were only props, right? I can't imagine somebody actually maintaining that mess night after night. 
Thanks for your insight. 
Cheers!

Reply from LiLeigh:

Hi, Mark !
Hey, I was traveling to L.A. and Phoenix when you originally wrote in to my blog (which I truly appreciate, thank you! *beaming look*) - to see my first TMB LLDOB shows....
While in Phoenix, I was (obviously) treated to a timely and most excellent interview with TMB's musical director - Sebastien Lamothe - who also gave me a tour of the vintage instruments, on stage.
It was not only impressive...it was fascinating!
Given that I had already read a great deal of information about the original tour - and a lot of references to the musical instruments *info source: Dr. Kevin Holm-Hudson's extraordinary "Genesis and the Lamb Lies Down on Broadway"* - I got to finally have the chance to visually marry the written description - with the near-actual, period piece item.  Serge Morissette did an awe-inspiring job with the exacting historical research, in re-building the original staging - even down to the "heavily-muffled" kick-drum they allowed Peter to use, up on one of the risers!  *agog look*
I am currently working very, very hard on editing down all the footage my crew and I captured in the gorgeously-restored Orpheum Theatre, in Phoenix.  
I wish I could say that the footage I shot on the stage was perfect and steady (it was not..since my cameraman was running late for the soundcheck... & I had to shoot it with my hand-held HD Flipvideo camera. I must confess I was so excited to see all the individual musician's set-ups.   But, it is what it is ...and I will do my best to stabilize, stabilize, stabilize through the edit process.*shrug then smile* 
I wanted to say that - because you mentioned "Steve's" foot-pedal set-up...and I MADE SURE to film extreme close-ups of it (and some other really nifty stuff that most people were not even aware was being used, up on stage, designed by Genesis.)

I only ask your patience in my getting the next several installments of the Analysis: TMB vids edited and up on YouTube & Vimeo.  (Hopefully, you've been able to see the already posted "TMB Part 1" ?  *hopeful look*)

Thank you so very much for writing to me...and, even more, for waiting so long for this earnest reply.  
All my best, always....
xo Lil

Comment from Howard

Hi LiLeigh!

Wow wow WOW! 
You have really impressed me in this passionate undertaking... I just saw The Musical Box play the entire TLLDOB
(with The Musical Box & Watchers Of The Sky for encores)...


So, all of this music is still fresh in my mind and soul..

I have found your comparisons so enlightening and your commentary very informed and educational!

Thank You for sharing all that you have!
I find you quite fascinating - a woman who is not only a broadcast engineer, but also a ardent Genesis fan!! Wow!

Sincerely, Howard

Comment from David:
Lil ~ 
What a wonderful find! Your passion for the body of work Genesis gave us brought me back to my early memories of the band like a reunion of first loves. 
I became a fan in '75 while a devoted jazz follower at the age of 15. Contrasted by the mediocre music driven by the record companies of the time, Genesis brought a texture and spirit to music that I had only seen in groups like Weather Report. In the case of Genesis it was Peter's voice that was the rich stock while the recipe of Weather Report was instrumental.
Steve Hackett was an amazing live experience. I can only describe his talent as silk. Soft yet amazingly strong. The notes radiated from his guitar much like Tony's notes on the keyboard. Most other guitarists of the time pulled notes, pressed sounds from their instruments. The difference between them was force as opposed to an almost release of sound from Steve's guitar. Not unlike the soft exhale released the moment you see the one you love after a long absence. 
Tony's work equally memorable. Complex and compelling. His mellotron resonated to the depth of nearly changing my heart rate. He was/is such a soft spoken, un-pretentioius genius. The mark of a true professional even at such a young age.
Few things in life hold memories that decades later still have deep feelings attached to them. I am happy to say the Lamb lies down album is as deeply rewarding now as it was then.
And I am very happy to see a deeply engaging project in your analyses. A true delight!
Thank you and be well.

LiLeigh responds:    David...your words move me to *tears*..
So spot-on are you in your superlative descriptives on these 3 gentleman...and their enormous talents...that I am at a loss to embellish any more upon your illustrations of them (which is rare!)Thank you, thank you....for taking the time to not only support my unusual-but-unique Analysis series - but, to share your poetic observations of Musical Genius, within our own time and generation.I agree with you, on the organics of Weather Report's rare fusion brilliance (with Wayne Shorter, Jaco Pastorius, Joe Zawinul and....Chester Thompson!)I spent many a happy afternoon boppin' & jammin' to Heavy Weather & Birdland - after Jaco was recruited to their ranks!;-)You take care, too....xoxo Lil 

Comment from Gregg:

Hi LiLeigh,
I just discovered your (Analysis) Genesis project and look forward to hearing what you have to say.
I've been a Gabriel/Genesis fanatic since 1972 (age 13) and appreciate your professional take on this music that I know and love so well. 
I'll be at the Keswick Theatre for the Lamb show on 11/19. 
This is my second Musical Box/Lamb show. It is well worth checking out. 
The first time I brought a friend who saw The Lamb show live in Dec, 1974 and stated that it was exactly as he remembered it. hope to see you there. 
Thanks for sharing this. Very interesting stuff that I will share with other fans.
best,
Gregg


P.S. - Supper's Ready! Nice hearing it again with your insights. And Genesis wrote this when they were only 21 or 22. Wow.

Lileigh:

Hi, Gregg!  First, let me say how much I am looking forward to coming to Philly to see TMB perform "The Lamb" in the famed Keswick Theatre!
They were the first shows listed on TMB's North American Tour rundown..so (at the insistence of so many of my very loyal YouTube subscribers) I bought some tickets to both of the shows, that weekend - to make sure I could make finally see it!
I've heard so many superlatives..glowing reviews..and "swear it was as close as the real thing" type comments - that I knew I had to come and personally take it all in.  
In the past month, though, I've had so many additional invitations to attend in different cities - that I am starting to fill my calendar with Coast-to-Coast airplane flights and TMB show dates in order to meet everyone!  *appreciative smile* 
I will be posting pics of my travels to this website - with all the different "Analysis: Lamb" fans that I get to meet (and give a hug to, for supporting my vids)...and I hope you will be one of them!
Please look for me at the Keswick...and let me know you're there, ok?  It will be a pleasure to meet you.  ;-)

xo Lil

P.S.~  thank you so much for "spreading the word" about my Analysis: Genesis project...and this, my new website - home to all my Analysis vids!  *happy grin*

Comment from Jim:

Hi LiLeigh! 
My name is Jim P. of Salem, Virginia and an ardent Genesis fan since the early 70's. 
I want to thank you for your painstaking and insightful analysis of the Lamb. To my knowledge, I doubt anyone but you has devoted time and effort to depict each piece part with such reverence and devotion to a band that was part of the renaissance of the 2nd British Invasion. 
On the eve of my 23rd birthday, I attended the December 1, 1974 performance of The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway at the Lyric Theater in Baltimore, Maryland, which was a few hours drive from my school Madison College (Now Jame Madison U). 

The Lamb was just released late that same week so I had barely enough time listening to side 1 before attending the Sunday night concert. Of course, back then a Genesis venue was a theater with maybe 1,000 seats that lend itself to INCREDIBLE acoustics! Regardless where one sat, you got an earful and didn't miss a dynamic or musical nuance. Now, I had listen ample times to their earlier LP 's (Nursery Crymes, Foxtrot, Selling England, etc) and knew how proficient these guys were in the studio. But LIVE, oh my, the energy form this band was unparalleled! 
So, I was attending a concert knowing little about the libretto much less the twists and turns of this spiritual journey from the perception of Rael. The entire journey was surreal to be sure. 
After the last number (IT) the band came out and finished us all off with The Musical Box. This was the best birthday gift I ever received though it was to and from myself.
In retrospect, though it is not my favorite Genesis LP (favoring Trick of the Tail), The Lamb was the most adventurous and ground breaking rock opera of the new wave prog rock phenomena. The music, drama, story line, and emotional curve was not predictable. The music took us to highs and lows that were not expected or telegraphed. The Lamb was original and musically so ahead of its time, it remains fresh today when I listen to the studio or Shrine 75 live version.
Lastly, I was aware that Peter did dub many of his vocals of the Shrine version because of the many live challenges you broached on the video. Especially the finale of IT since the reel to reel tapes left their spindles while the band played on! Pete's overdubs are remarkable considering he was twice his former age recording lines with more emotion, control, confidence, and talent. 
Oh, by the way, I still have my Lamb ticket stub! 
Thanks, Leigh  - for your time, attention, and devotion. We'll never see the likes of this band again. It is a privilege and honor to be part of the Genesis history. 

LiLeigh:

Wowzer, Jim !  
Thank you so much for allowing us to vicariously re-live such vivid memories (of that most of us never had the chance to experience first-hand, as you did)!  
You wrote of how dynamic early Genesis was while performing, back in those days, with Gabriel & Hackett still in place.  
I've often read of what a challenge it was for the band, Tony Stratton-Smith and Tony Smith to try to successfully capture & record that live-wire, electric musical alchemy they dealt so charismatically to their attending concert audiences.
What you described, in your Lamb experience all those years ago in the Lyric Theatre...sounds quite reminiscent of what others have put forth about that very tour.
It was a heady and brave experiment...especially with the attempt at the first true multi-media enhanced rock opera.  But, it was the depth of the musical arrangements (augmented by the dense metaphorical lyrical treatments) that seemed to make the most impression on you?
I'm so pleased you were able to be there, for your birthday so long ago..so that you could be here to recount all those Mind's Eye-witness moments for us...offering both an aural and visceral re-counting of what was the TRUE, layered experience that was the Lamb of 1975! (Then, this little-known, barely-released allegorical concept album - penned by five 25-yr-old young musical prodigies)

I think that most of us - who have only been able to listen to the original mobile unit/Island Records mix-down studio recording, the King Biscuit Flower Hour/Shrine recording, the "restored" Archive version (of the dueling 25/47 yr old Gabriel's singing) and the countless bootlegs of the various individual dates of the tour - can only experience in a one-dimensional way.
We must try to IMAGINE the visual presentations that was going both behind the band (the 3 projection screens) and in front (Gabriel galavanting about in all his costumes, his glory - giving emotional life to his protagonist Rael via his smoky, emotional vocals)....as well as the overwhelmingly potent acoustics which Genesis was always known for, in those days, in the smaller, more intimate venues.
I promise that I will be thinking of your description of the original concert - when I begin my personal tour of watching The Musical Box present The Lamb, starting next week, in L.A.
I will be seeing 6 of their shows...stretching from the West Coast to the East Coast (from various vantage  points, in order to take in both the broad views..and, the close - for  many of the finer nuances) - so that I may write of this extraordinarily fastidious re-capitulation of the original tour.
With your insights, I will let my imagination reel back to what you've shared...doing my best to "overlay" the intense feeling of dynamic surrealism you described so well...
I will make believe that I am sitting there beside you in the Lyric Theatre, as you once again help me Count Out Time (of days gone past ;-)

xoxo  Lil

Reply from Jim:


Lil!
 
Holy cow, what an eloquent reply! And I ENVY your attending the Musical Box “Lamb” performance. 
You know, when the foursome (Banks, Phillips,Rutherford, and Gabriel) formed Genesis in 1967 while finishing their education at the Charterhouse, they wrote their songs for other artists to perform. 
And, as we know, because they became quite adventurous no one wanted to tackle their material so they stepped up to the plate and, well the rest is historic. NOW many ensembles, including symphony orchestras, are performing Genesis globally. So their original intent has come to pass after all.
 
When I attended The Lamb concert on that fateful December 1, 1974 outing in Baltimore, I was sitting in the balcony in the old theater looking down at the stage with a generous perspective. 
No heads to crowd my view and though the venue was sold out, it was quiet enough to soak in all the sonorous beauty that each musician deftly demonstrated. As I mention Lil, these guys were POWERFUL live! 
Their ability to ride the spectrum of musical dynamics beginning with Tony’s signature cross handed e minor intro of The Lamb (though on an electric piano) to orchestral atmospheric crescendos of the Chamber of 32 Doors (Hackett was exquisite!) was beyond words. 
You had to be here to grasp this epic adventure that most of the audience, including myself, were wondering “where in the world is this going?” Gabriel was a showman bouncing all over the stage sometimes shaking a tambourine demonstrating an illusory 360 degree arc (to date I don’t know how he did this!). His few priceless flute contributions were part of the Genesis fabric. 
Steve Hackett sat to Pete’s right rendering a panoply of atmospheric sounds that would make any gifted guitarist drool. Though the Lamb is predominantly a keyboard rich performance, Steve shined on many parts. 
Mike was fluently juggling parts between his double neck 6 string bass and 12 string electric. His contribution colored the music with shades of pastels to visceral intensity. 
Phil (I’m a drummer) was unbelievable! As good a singer he is, he was a much better drummer! WOW is all I can say about his technical contribution. The Lamb is a very demanding and technical drumming composition. BUT taste is and always has been Phil’s forte. His phrasing is impeccable. 
Tony Banks...what can anyone say about Tony? He is the heart and soul of Genesis (from a SOUND perspective). No one played a mellotron with synthesizer and organ lines like Tony. 
The Lamb reminds me of an Astral atmospheric symphonic soundscape.
 
I won’t bore you further but let me add one more personal highlight I think you will envy. 
Fast forward to April 7, 1976, the Tower Theater in Upper Darby, PA. 
It’s the midnight show of the Trick of the Tail (of course I have my ticket stub!) and I’m in the 5th row from the front smack dab in the presence of Steve Hackett (standing this time!)! 
Lil, this was the concert of all concerts! Smaller than the Lyric theater, Genesis played EVERYTHING I intimately knew line for line, note for note. Including the entire Trick LP! Bill Bruford was Phil’s drumming crony and he was incredible. 
Much better, in my humble opinion, than Chester. Bill was English and he knew the Genesis persona. The list of songs ranged from White Mountain (Trespass), Supper’s Ready, Firth of Fifth, Cinema Show, Lamb Stew (Including Fly on a Windshield!!!), Dance on a Volcano, Entangled (I left my body during this piece!), Squonk, Robbery, Assualt, and Battery, and ended with Los Endos. They came back playing IT and Watchers of the Skies. 
It was 12:45 when I left the theater and “floated” home. It was a more than a religious experience. It was a spiritual journey up and down the Genesis mountain side leaving me wanting more.
 
Enjoy the concert. I look forward to your insightful review. I know The Musical Box will do the Lamb justice. Take care and thanks for listening.
 
Just counting out time,
Jim

Martin:

Hi Lileigh!! 

I saw your Youtube videos and was very impressed with the recording/engineering sound. The sound that you bring in to "The Lamb" and "Carpet Crawlers" is awesome. I am a big fan of Genesis 70's sound and truly love "The Lamb lies down on Broadway"!! I also enjoy the cover art of 60's and 70's progressive rock. Check out my art website. http://martinmrochaart.com/ 

Lil :

Cool art site, Martin!  Your Marvel comics renderings are very, very well done. (My mom is a retired animator, so I know! ;-) Thank you for your compliments...and for visiting my website!
xo Lil

L.D. ~
Wow! One of the few credits to womankind out there (I'm sorry to say) and a credit to the human race. Pretty, talented, and with good taste to boot. If you have a husband, he's a lucky man.

LD.

Lil :

Hey, L.D....  

How's it going?   
*grin..and, I mean a BIG grin...as in ear-to-ear, big grin!*

I appreciate those lovely compliments you've slung my way...I really do.  *genuine smile, which then turns to a slight look of concern*
It's "that bad" out there (women-wise), eh?  *sad shaking of head*
Nah, I guess I can answer that question, myself.  *slight smirk*
Sometimes I am forced to hang out with other women (which often ends up making my ears wanna bleed! *wince*)...and, I just want to surrender to my growing impulse to just whack 'em across the face to knock some SENSE (and better taste) into 'em!
So, I am with you, brother....I am with you on that surmise.  ;-)
Speaking of siblings, I grew up with 5 brothers.  Worked 30 years in male-dominated industry...(with no probs, at all, btw...except for the occasional male co-worker or two fighting over who would get to date me if I wasn't married, at the time.  LOL).  So, I guess that explains a lot.  
Glad I can hang out here, with all of you guys...rather than have to put up with all that Beyonce, Katy Perry, Kei$ha bullchit that a majority of the modern-day female is into, right?
I appreciate you not only letting me do so...but, leaving such validating messages about the series, to boot.
Made my day, I tell you..to find some more postings to my new blog.
Thank you!  

It's amazing how something as basic as a common love for music (or not) can dictate the success/failure of a relationship.
But, I appreciate your asking/probing...in your own way.  *chuckle*
You take care, y'hear?
xo Lil

Paul:

Hi Lileigh, 
enjoying your Genesis analysis series very much. 
Being a huge Genesis fan since I was 12 (1977) I gravitate toward anything that concerns them (what a curse! Haha) 
I play keyboards and know quite a bit of their songs--love it!! 
Having done some sound engineering (mostly live)I am also captivated by your analysis series. Keep em comin!!! 
Thanks Lileigh!


Lil : 
Hi, Paul...  LOLOL !  What a curse, indeed !  (peels of empathetic laughter). 
Glad to know that you've found a way to positively channel all that still-flowing Genesis Karma.  ;-)
With such romantically-illuminating yet precision-minded fingerings such as Tony had going on with his BankSynths..you have chosen quite an exacting path to carve, via your keyboards (giving his arrangements a whirl)!
My blonde hair would certainly stand straight on end if I was faced with trying to re-capitulate his intro to Firth of Fifth or the bridge in Mad Man Moon...  *reverential nod of head, in Tony's direction*
Since you've done some live mixing (always a challenge to mix, on the fly...taking in all the varying acoustics of a room, replete with bodies of those roaming in & out of a concert)...I so appreciate your kind compliments concerning my Analysis series.
I am doing my best to keeping up with the one new video debut, a month...just to let the newest one "seep into" the YouTube early-Genesis fan environment.
Putting up this website was a really happy moment...knowing that ALL of my Analysis vids (within their own categories) finally had a Home, unto themselves.. Though, it too is a work in progress.
Glad everyone who enjoys my unusual works can view any series, in the proper order - rather than trying to follow the truly illogical workings of YouTube (and its ranking of vids based on the amount of hits each has received).  
*scratching of head, totally perplexed*
But, so grateful that several of you guys have made the transition enough to send me some nice comments - here on my personal (and personally-hosted) blog.
That way, we are not hemmed in by the limited YT message boxes, number of words or prohibition of publishing outside links... *sigh of relief* 
As you can already tell, my god-given verbosity knows NO bounds...except the "answer box" built into any YouTube reply option!  (more peels of honest, embarrassed laughter).
All my best...and, KEEP ON PROG-ROCKIN' on those Keyboards of Yours !!!  *big grin*
xoxo Lil

Howard:
Dear Lil

Have watched many of your youtubes on the lamb. All fascinating and excellent! 

My band "the book of Genesis" has a free live webcast on Sunday 23rd Oct at 8pm-11pm UK time which is I guess afternoon for you (in the States)? It's at the Bedford (globe) theatre and is kicking off with an extended tribute to the lamb (about 1/2 of it) at the start of the first half. http://www.justin.tv/thebedfordlive

Thought you might like to tune in for free if you have a chance. We have a large screen with 400 slides for this show! 

Next year we are playing at Charterhouse school and hope for some celebrity visits will keep you posted!Best wishes from Howard (keyboards)
P.S. really appreciate you adding it to your blog. I’m sure you have a LOT of readers!


Lil : 
What wondrous news, Howard (and the rest of the "Book of Genesis" band)!  I am sure you will be well-received via the webcast, later this month...especially since it is featuring so much of The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway.Best of luck, my dear...and will try to tune in come October 23rd.  ;-)
All my best to you, kindred spirits of The Lamb...xo Lil

Greg: I just discovered your analysis video series only a few days ago and have watched almost all of your posts with just a few more to go. Your insights, from the technical audio engineering, illumination of historical context, and lyrical interpretations, are all conveyed in poetic detail. As a Lamb Fanatic myself, I am much now a fan of yours too.Lil ~Wow! That was a lot of continuous watching YT videos (both on my and early-Genesis' behalf) - thank you, Greg!  *impressed and grateful glance*  And your assessment of my soul is in fact, chillingly accurate .... mind of an engineer, heart of a romantic poet.  *shiver of recognition*   I think that many of us who truly venerate Gabriel & Hackett's work (along with Collins, Banks and Rutherford...and even Davis) share much the same threads within the woven fabric of who we are, at our basic personal foundations.  For that is the definition of our favorite musicians, is it not? This is what makes it so each to recognize each other, in my opinion. *nod of head, acknowledging grin*Thank you, again, for being so kind to write me...on my new website. This made me smile, all day!