Record Store Day 2021

June 18, 2021 by Simon Heldreich

Greetings Stationeers!
Welcome to a bonus mini episode straight from The Revelation Station Jukebox, in which I listen to the recent Record Store Day release of Mama/Turn It On Again Medley live from Knebworth 1990.

Remember you can get episodes 1-10 of the Jukebox exclusively by donating through buymeacoffee.com.

We’ll be back soon with more album reviews. In the meantime thanks for listening. If you’ve enjoyed this podcast you can donate the price of a coffee to help run the website by clicking this link. All donations are gratefully received and give you access to 10 exclusive minisodes only available to people who donate.

If you’d like to share your thoughts about this episode or your opinions of the podcast in general, you can email us at revelationstationpodcast@gmail.com, leave a comment below or join our Facebook group. We would love to hear from you.

Say goodbye to flesh and blood

May 21, 2021 by Simon Heldreich

Greetings Stationeers and welcome to this special episode of The Revelation Station podcast.

Have you ever wanted to know what happened after Peter left Genesis in 1975, but before he released his first solo album in 1977? Well, you are in luck my friend because as a delightful bonus I’ve recorded this episode exploring exactly that period of time! What a coinkydink!

From Robert Fripp to Charlie Drake via Rolling Stones pastiche and Beatles covers, this special dives into the demos and unreleased tracks from that period. If you want to know what could have been this episode is for you!

Please note: Because the music audio comes from various sources the quality varies.

Oooh you are naughty...but I like you.

April 30, 2021 by Simon Heldreich

***Calm down dear, it’s only the wicked lady.***

Hello listeners and thank you for your patience. This week we present our review of The Wicked Lady soundtrack by Tony Banks.

Released on 22nd July 1983, this film was directed by veteran British director Michael Winner, fresh off the success of Deathwish 2. In subject matter it’s something of a departure from that movie but it maintains the low class sleaze of the action shooter. Something of a remake of the 1945 film of the same name, it features some typical early 80’s nudity and sex, tied to a story that seems to be too long for it’s roughly 90 minute run time.

And who better to score a bawdy period drama than everyone’s favourite Genesis keyboard player Tony Banks? Technically, this is Tony’s second solo album, coming out in April 1983 (a full two months before The Fugitive). The original release featured his synthesiser demos on side a, with orchestral score versions on side b. The last of Tony’s albums to be released on CD, it wouldn’t get issued until 2013 (and then again in 2019 as part of the Banks Vault box set).

Anyway, we watched some of the film and then we reviewed the album. What did we think? What do I look like? An encyclopedia? Why not listen to the episode and then you’ll know. Sorry, sorry, I don’t mean to be tetchy. Watching a bad movie does that.

NEXT EPISODE: ??? This is the last episode of season 2. We’ll be back soon with more.

Thanks for listening. If you’ve enjoyed this podcast you can donate the price of a coffee to help run the website by clicking this link. All donations are gratefully received and give you access to 10 exclusive minisodes only available to people who donate.

And until May 24th 2021 listeners to the Revelation Station can get 3 months of Amazon Music Unlimited for free when they sign up using this link. For everyone who signs up Amazon will donate to the podcast. There are no losers here!

If you’d like to share your thoughts about this album or your opinions of the episode, you can email us at revelationstationpodcast@gmail.com, leave a comment below or join our Facebook group. We would love to hear from you.

Could you swear if you had that second chance you wouldn't do it again?

April 16, 2021 by Simon Heldreich

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We apologise for the interruption to your scheduled programme…

Real life…uh…finds a way, as a famous man once said. In this case it finds a way to delay our planned review of Tony Banks The Wicked Lady soundtrack.

Instead we present this minisode, featuring some unused extracts from our interview with Adam Galloway conducted in February 2021. In the original episode we discussed Adam’s “Covering All Stations” project and we had a fun chat which I had to cut for timing reasons. Now Adam has released “We Can’t Cover” so I thought it would be a good time to put those edited parts to good use.

You can pre-save “We Can’t Cover” by clicking the picture (if you can see it) or this link.

So, Please Enjoy™ this minisode and come back soon for our review of The Wicked Lady.

It seems to me there's a means to an end...

April 02, 2021 by Simon Heldreich

Welcome back to The Revelation Station podcast, and we’re certainly grateful for this magnificent washout. Uh, turnout. And now I’d like to say a few words…

***I cannot stay, I came to say I must be going.***

Hello, I Must Be Going was Phil Collins’ second solo album released on 5th November 1982. It featured the worldwide smash hit single You Can’t Hurry Love. Recorded during the 8 month break following Genesis’ hugely successful Abacab tour and released almost 2 years after Face Value, this album ditched the melancholy air of Phils’ debut to cover a whole gamut of other emotions. Phil once again bares his soul.

Written at the tail end of the divorce, Phil had met his second wife during this period, which lends a touch of optimism to some of the tracks. Phil also made a concious effort to distance this release from Face Value, by ditching the drum machine sound he pioneered and going for a more organic feel. Although most of the musicians on this album played on the previous release, the sound is often radically different.

BUT! What do our intrepid reviewers think of the album? Will it be a load of animal crackers or duck soup? Which track do Simon and Gary utterly utterly disagree on? Who does Simon describe as “just a drummer”? Which other prog rock legend has Simon been copying this week? Why are all these questions about Simon and not Gary? Find out in this weeks thrilling episode!

NEXT EPISODE: The Wicked Lady by Tony Banks

They realise he knows they must lose...

March 19, 2021 by Simon Heldreich

The Fugitive runs though his hands are tied…well stuck in his jacket pockets at least.

Welcome back Stationeers to the latest episode of The Revelation Station Podcast season 2! In our quest to listen to all of the solo albums by the “big 5” Genesis members we get to 1983. And that means Tony Banks’ second album The Fugitive.

Released in “late June” 1983, this hit the shops only a month after Genesis reconvened to work on their self-titled album. As such Tony engaged in very little promotion, with only one of the two single releases getting a promo video. Like Mike, Tony decided to handle the singing himself, was that a good decision? Find out by listening to the episode.

Back with the boys, what do Simon and Gary think of this one? Is this love at first listen? Will the wheels keep turning? Or is it a case of sometime never? And why, exactly did Tony end up naming the album after a popular TV series? Well, you can find out the answers to all these questions, and more, by listening to this episode.

NEXT EPISODE: Hello, I Must Be Going by Phil Collins

And at the moment Audible are offering our listeners a special deal on a three month subscription. For only 99p you can have access to Audibles library of titles, with one credit per month to choose from a massive selection. This offer is only open to new Audible members and further monthly membership costs £7.99 per month. Audible will donate to the podcast for every person who signs up to the trial, even if you cancel after the three months is up! So it’s literally a win/win! Simply click this link to get started.

I hear you've been living in Paris under an assumed fame...

March 05, 2021 by Simon Heldreich

Welcome back to The Revelation Station!
After some technical difficulties we have finally managed to record a new episode, you can hear all about that this week.

This time we are turning our attention to Mike Rutherford’s second, and final, solo album “Acting Very Strange” released on 7th September 1982. On this one Mike elected to do all the vocals himself, find out if that was a good call by listening to this episode.

Featuring no less than 4 singles, half the tracks on the actual album, it didn’t exactly set the charts alight. However, one particular track sowed the seeds for Mike and The Mechanics, listen in to find out which one.

Back to the boys, what do Gary and Simon think of the album? Will they get arrested? Is it an album to remember? Or will they be forced to hideaway? How did Mike meet up with Stewart Copeland? Find out the answers to all this and more by clicking play.

NEXT EPISODE: The Fugitive by Tony Banks.

Cover me, when I sleep...

February 19, 2021 by Simon Heldreich

Greetings listeners and welcome to a special episode of The Revelation Station podcast.

In this episode we chat with Adam Galloway, also known as Muzikm4n, about his recent Genesis cover album “Covering All Stations” which is available on streaming platforms right now. We chat about the making of the album, how Adam came to choose these particular songs to cover and what his future plans are.

We’ll be back with a review episode very soon, in the meantime if you’ve enjoyed Adam’s album you can donate some money to him by clicking this link. The album also features:

Vocals - Geno Samuel (Tokyo, Japan)
Drums - Matt Rowland-Hall (Cambridge, UK)
Guitars - Brooks Lee (Atlanta, GA)
Keys/Bass/Production - Adam Galloway (Muzikm4n) (Los Angeles, CA)

And you can follow Adam on his socials: @Muzikm4n on Instagram and Twitter

NEXT EPISODE: Acting Very Strange by Mike Rutherford

The Vinyl Countdown...

January 29, 2021 by Simon Heldreich

Greetings stationeers!

Welcome to our latest minisode. As regular listeners will know we have recently added 10 minisodes exclusively for people who have donated money to the show via Buy Me A Coffee. For the price of a coffee (about $3) you get access to more than 2 and a half hours of new content.

Today I’m presenting an edited version of the first episode to give you an idea of what to expect. The full version runs to 15 minutes and has no ads.

We’ll be back with more episodes soon, in the meantime please enjoy this episode and if you decide to donate a big thank you from us.

If you’d like to share your thoughts about this episode, you can email us at revelationstationpodcast@gmail.com, leave a comment below or join our Facebook group. We would love to hear from you.

The number 42...

January 08, 2021 by Simon Heldreich in Bonus

Hello listeners and welcome back to the Revelation Station pub quiz.

This episode features the answers to last weeks questions. Listen to the last episode before this one!

How did you do? There were 83 points on offer in total. Why not email me your scores at revelationstationpodcast@gmail.com or head over to our Facebook page and join in the fun.

We’ll be back soon with some more episodes, but for now take and stay safe.

As a special thank you for listening here’s an offer. For a limited time you can get 3 months of Amazon Music Unlimited for absolutely FREE! (Terms and Conditions apply, £7.99 per month after free period for Prime members). By clicking this link and signing up, Amazon will also give some money to the podcast, you’d be helping us out and also getting access to over 70 million songs. It’s literally a win/win situation.

And that’s not all! Until the end of January, we will be releasing an exclusive minisode each Monday. These are only available for people who have donated the price of a coffee to the podcast by clicking on this link. All donations will go towards the running cost of the website and recording equipment, and you’ll get to listen to me talking to myself about records. Also a win/win!

Let's get Quizical, Quizical. I wanna get Quizical...

January 01, 2021 by Simon Heldreich in Bonus

Happy New Year listeners!

Assuming, that is, that it’s not currently December 32nd. Who knows what might happen in 2020? As a New Year treat I have prepared the inaugural Revelation Station pub quiz! This here episode is the questions and I’ll be following it up in the next few days with the answers. There are 83 points on offer here, try not to cheat, and don’t forget you’ll also need a pen and paper.

When you’ve completed the quiz why not drop me a line at revelationstationpodcast@gmail.com with your punny team name and I might read it out in the answers episode.

Thank you for all your support this year. We’ll be back with some proper episodes before too long. In the meantime, take care, stay safe and keep talking!

A Winters Tale

December 24, 2020 by Simon Heldreich

Merry Christmas listeners!

In this festive episode we travel back to Christmas Eve 2019 for an untold story of The Revelation Station. As the snow falls, two weary travellers chance upon a mysterious house in the middle of nowhere, where they are forced to spend the night. Unlike any other Christmas tale, ghostly goings-on ensue in a story that is most definitely NOT ripped off from anything else you might have seen or read. No music review in this one dear listener, this is a bit of fun to keep you amused (hopefully).

We’ll be back with more reviews in the new year. Thank you for all your support in 2020. If you would like more stories to listen to, we have a special deal for you. Until December 28th 2020 you can get a free sample of Amazon’s Audilble catalogue. Simply click this link and you can choose a free episode of one of Audible’s biggest 2020 titles for free. Even better than that, if you take a free trial Amazon will donate money to the podcast. What do you have to lose? I highly recommend the Alan Partridge podcast.

A Winters Trailer...

December 18, 2020 by Simon Heldreich

A festive special coming soon from The Revelation Station.

Weighed down by the absence of sound...

December 11, 2020 by Simon Heldreich

***You really need to get a manicure after lockdown love.***

Greetings Stationeers! Welcome to our final review podcast of 2020!

In this episode we will be having a listen to Peter Gabriel’s second solo album, released on 3rd June 1978. This marked a radical change of sound for Peter, who embraced the ethos of Punk and New Wave. He roped in prog rock legend Robert Fripp to produce the album and it was completed in record (geddit) time. This album sees Peter moving away from the proggy sounds of his previous release and closer to the global influences of albums to come. It also formed the first of a loose trilogy of Robert Fripp albums, along with Exposure, released in 1979 and Daryl Halls’ Sacred Songs, released in 1980.

But what do the boys from the Station think of it? Did Gary enjoy the final track on the album? Which song is Simon’s favourite? Did Robert Fripp do a good job of the production? Why did Peter play a punk cover of “A Whiter Shade of Pale” on his 1978 tour? Just exactly what does “Frippertronics” entail? FInd out the answers to these questions and more by clicking play.

NEXT EPISODE: We will return with more reviews in the New Year.

I hope you enjoyed Robert Fripp’s solo album…I mean Peter Gabriel’s second album. As a special thank you for listening here’s an offer. For a limited time you can get 3 months of Amazon Music Unlimited for absolutely FREE! (Terms and Conditions apply, £7.99 per month after free period for Prime members). By clicking this link and signing up, Amazon will also give some money to the podcast, you’d be helping us out and also getting access to over 70 million songs. It’s literally a win/win situation.

There are many things that I would rather do...

December 04, 2020 by Simon Heldreich in Podcast episode

From one guitarist to another, in this week’s episode we are listening to the second album from Steve Hackett.

Please Don’t Touch (how many times have I heard that before?) was released in April 1978 on the Charisma label. It followed a period of time spent recording in America, and features some well known voices from across the pond. Without the restrictions placed on him by a band setting, Steve fully flexed his creative muscles to produce an album that is unlike his debut. Gone are the Genesis influences, with only Chester Thompson on drums, and in are the Rock sounds of Steve Walsh (of Kansas fame). It’s an eclectic mix, but does it work as an album?

That, dear listener, is the question facing our intrepid duo this week. Does the album suffer from sophomore slump? Whose vocal performance does Gary describe as “a tour de force”? Which song does Simon skip? You can find the answers to all these questions, and more, by clicking play and having a listen.

NEXT EPISODE: Peter Gabriel - 2 (or Scratch if you prefer)

I hope you enjoyed that trip into the mind of Steve Hackett, as a special thank you for listening here’s an offer. For a limited time you can get 3 months of Amazon Music Unlimited for absolutely FREE! (Terms and Conditions apply, £7.99 per month after free period for Prime members). By clicking this link and signing up, Amazon will also give some money to the podcast, you’d be helping us out and also getting access to over 70 million songs. It’s literally a win/win situation.

For 10 weeks up until the end of January, we will be releasing an exclusive minisode each Monday. These are only available for people who have donated the price of a coffee to the podcast by clicking on this link. All donations will go towards the running cost of the website and recording equipment, and you’ll get to listen to me talking to myself about records. Also a win/win!

Slipping Under Autumn's Gaze...

November 27, 2020 by Simon Heldreich

***The Bard, the water spirit and the volcano would be a better title IMHO.***

Greetings listeners and welcome to our review of Anthony Phillips’ The Geese & the Ghost. This first solo album, by everyone’s second favourite Genesis guitarist, was released in March 1977 after a nearly 7 year gestation. Like Steve’s first solo effort, it features both Phil and Mike, as well as John Hackett on the flute.

This album shows Ant’s sensitive side, with pastoral songs about beautiful ladies, Henry V (or maybe VIII, who knows?), Geese flying west and err…(checks notes) chinese mushroom clouds. This album was not well received by the record company, but many fans see it as a continuation of the Genesis sound laid out on Trespass.

Cowering under the battlements as protection against the wind, Simon & Gary pick over the album that Allmusic would describe as “gorgeous, luscious, languid and utterly pointless” and “very arty in an early 70’s manner” in their review. Is that fair? You either already know what you think, or are eager to find out. Either way click play and discover what two tracks Simon thinks are great, what chart position it got to and what surprising track Gary says is the best on the album. This episode also features a rare abandoned BBC radio documentary on the making of the album. Presented here in three parts for the first time since, I don’t know, 1978 probably.

NEXT EPISODE: Please Don’t Touch by Steve Hackett

I hope you enjoyed that trip into the sensual world, as a special thank you for listening here’s an offer for you. For a limited time you can get 3 months of Amazon Music Unlimited for absolutely FREE! (Terms and Conditions apply, £7.99 per month after free period for Prime members). By clicking this link and signing up, Amazon will also give some money to the podcast, you’d be helping us out and also getting access to over 70 million songs. It’s literally a win/win situation.

Delicious hot, disgusting cold...

November 20, 2020 by Simon Heldreich in Podcast episode

***Doesn’t get much more unorthodox than this…***

Hello, and welcome to Jazz Club. Nice. Tonight we feature Season Two of The Revelation Station Podcast, in which we explore the solo works of Genesis members past and present. Great.

In this episode we’re taking a long drag on the jazz-fusion doobie that is Brand X’s debut Unorthodox Behaviour, featuring cheeky chappie Phil Collins on drums. Wonderful.
Released in 1976, after a few years of tumult, this debut is technically Phil’s first venture into music outside of Genesis. He had been a busy session musician up to now, but this marks the first time he joined another band to write and record. It’s an interesting look at where his career could have gone. Marvelous.

Back in the present day, still separated by Lockdown restrictions, Simon & Gary discuss the merits of this sidestep away from Prog Rock. They ask some hard-hitting questions such as “Was jazz-fusion really that popular?”, “Are Brand X the Spinal Tap of jazz-fusion?”, “Is the title track aptly named?” and “What was Phil thinking?”. We also hear from our sponsors in the first episode to feature advert breaks. Really nice.

Next Episode: The Geese & The Ghost by Anthony Phillips

I hope you enjoyed that trip into the world of jazz-fusion, as a special thank you for listening here’s a special offer for all listeners of The Revelation Station. For a limited time you can get 3 months of Amazon Music Unlimited for absolutely FREE! (Terms and Conditions apply, £7.99 per month after free period for Prime members). By clicking this link and signing up, Amazon will also give some money to the podcast, you’d be helping us out and also getting access to over 70 million songs. It’s literally a win/win situation.

If you want to demonstrate that support in a non-Amazony way you can do so by clicking on this link and contributing the price of a coffee to the running of the podcast. All donations will go towards the running cost of the website and recording equipment, or possibly paying for lessons in the jazz language.

Halloween Special: Claws and Effect

October 31, 2020 by Simon Heldreich in Bonus

Woooooooo! Welcome to the Revelation Station! Join us for a spooky Halloween tale from the deranged minds that brought you “Keep Talking” and “Desert Island Dix”.

This very special episode features a story to chill your cocoa. Have you ever wondered what might happen if your car broke down in the middle of nowhere? And if the only house for miles around was a farmhouse with no broadband? Would a chill of terror run down your spine? Find out what could happen in this blood-curdling episode.

Claws and Effect is written by Gary Starr and performed by Simon Heldreich, with Richmond Leishi as The Man. Produced and Sound Engineered in Studio 2 by Simon Heldreich.

If you haven’t died of fright and are reading this, we appreciate your support. So here’s a special offer for all listeners of The Revelation Station. For a limited time you can get 3 months of Amazon Music Unlimited for absolutely FREE! (Terms and Conditions apply, £7.99 per month after free period for Prime members). By clicking this link and signing up, Amazon will also give some money to the podcast, you’d be helping us out and also getting access to over 70 million songs. It’s literally a win/win situation.

Episode 50!

October 02, 2020 by Simon Heldreich

Once upon a time…

Two grown men, who really should know better, decided to start a podcast. They used to write together and hadn’t for a long time, and one of the men thought it would be a fun thing to do. The other went along with it for an easy life.

They started a podcast reviewing Genesis albums, at first they pretended to be in a pub (Oh, sorry SPOILERS) but gradually they started to flex their creative muscles and created more and more elaborate scenarios to put their “characters” through. After 30 episodes, and 2 years, they ended the story on an epic cliffhanger. They promised to continue the story.

Then a worldwide pandemic hit so they started doing weekly podcasts. Which brings us, eventually, to Episode 50. In this landmark episode we revisit the best of Genesis by selecting our 10 favourite tracks and saying why we like them. That’s it. As simple as that.

Oh, and we bring you the untold origin of our exclusive archive recordings in an all new adventure that we call “Deep Throat” (much to Simon’s discomfort). So sit back, relax with a delicious beverage and Please Enjoy!

Thanks to everyone for listening, here we are in the office.

Thank you to everyone who has listened to any of the last 50 episodes. We really appreciate your support. If you want to demonstrate that support in a monetary way you can do so by clicking on this link and contributing the price of a coffee. All donations will go towards the running cost of the website and recording equipment, not buying a Deluxe Edition of the new Fish album “Weltschmertz” (I’ve already got it).

If you’d like to share your thoughts about the last 50 episodes, or tell us what you’ve enjoyed so far, you can email us at revelationstationpodcast@gmail.com, leave a comment below or join our Facebook group. We would love to hear from you.

If it hurts, don't do it...

July 31, 2020 by Simon Heldreich in Podcast episode

***Who left this great big face here?***

Greetings listeners and welcome to the last, for now, weekly episode of The Revelation Station! This week we take a dive into the troubled waters of divorce in the company of Phil Collins. Here we have an album NOT based on a concept for a change, but that doesn’t mean that the songs contained here aren’t all of a similar theme.

Released in February 1981, almost exactly a year after Mike Rutherford’s debut solo effort, this shows a more reflective side to Phil who was writing the songs in the aftermath of his first divorce. Returning to the UK in mid 1979, Phil found Mike & Tony both in the middle of making their debuts, which meant he had plenty of free time to write and reflect. Roping in such world class musicians as Eric Clapton, L.Shankar and the Phenix Horns, Phil weaves an album of love and loss lead by the number 2 hit single “In The Air Tonight”.

But all of that doesn’t matter if it’s not very good does it? So what do Simon and Gary think of it? Well, SPOILER ALERT, they have almost directly opposing views on the album. Which song reflects Simon’s current real life? Which song stopped Gary from driving his car into a bollard? And what shocking bombshell do we end the episode on? Find out all this and more by clicking play on the episode below.

NEXT EPISODE: Will be our 50th episode. Join us soon for that one.

So thank you for reading this far. We appreciate your support. If you want to demonstrate that support in a monetary way you can do so by clicking on this link and contributing the price of a coffee to the running of the podcast. All donations will go towards the running cost of the website and recording equipment, not saving up in case I want to get a divorce one day.