Darth Vader, agitator! The members of Tabletop Genesis take a look back at Genesis’ 1981 album, “Abacab,” and reveal what they really think about “Who Dunnit?”
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Darth Vader, agitator! The members of Tabletop Genesis take a look back at Genesis’ 1981 album, “Abacab,” and reveal what they really think about “Who Dunnit?”
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Great analysis, guys (and one gal)!
If I had sat in and contributed to your conversation, I would also have taken exception to Stacy’s dissatisfaction of “Me and Sarah Jane”. How can anybody not like that song? I would point out that there is “magic” in most every Genesis song. It may be in the chorus, or in a very special bridge section in the song. “Me and Sarah Jane” has that “magic” in the bridge and closing section.
Regarding “Who Dunnit?”, I would have added that I believe this was a joke song. It may have been their tribute, or even commentary of punk rock, which was trending at that time. Perhaps they were asking “who dunnit?, as in…who writes this crap and puts it on vinyl? They know who did it!
As far as a closer for the album, I would have nixed “Another Record” and ended the album with “Like It or Not”. I particularly like the 2007 remix where you can hear more emphasis on the vocal harmonies. This version really grew on me!
“You Might Recall” was a favorite B song for me. I also like the 2007 remix which adds vocal harmonies to the chorus, unlike “Me and Sarah Jane” where the remix omits the original release vocal harmonies during the bridge section. Perhaps Nick Davis wanted it to sound more like the live version, where vocal harmonies are seldom found.
I’ll close by saying “Naminumu”, which in Genesis speak may actually mean “Live Long and Prosper”! Yeah, I’m a Star Trek fan, too!
Thanks for listening, Martin! Yeah, I was also surprised to hear negative comments about “Me & Sarah Jane,” but I guess that’s what keeps the conversation fresh!
I used to be in the Who-Dunnit-hating crowd, but over time I’ve come to not mind listening to it – I have a few other G-tunes that I’m much quicker to hit the skip button on than that one. But maybe it’s cyclical, and one day I’ll switch back to thinking, what were they thinking?!
I didn’t get to mention my thoughts on Naminumu/Submarine during the podcast, but while I enjoy the former, the latter never did anything for me. It feels like a work in progress that you’d get as part of a bonus reissue or something. And the beat is so glacial, it reminds me of Phil’s “I’ve Forgotten Everything” from Both Sides.
Anyway, thanks for sharing your thoughts on Abacab – next up will be Nursery Cryme and we will let you know when it airs!
Tom
Stacy, you are not alone. I am not a fan of Sarah Jane or You Might Recall for that matter!
I’m way late to the party here, but I’m working my way back and listening to the podcasts.
This was a great discussion, and I really appreciate that you covered the B sides + Three Sides Live too. Three Sides was my first Genesis album also, and I believe I quickly bought Abacab because of it (followed by Duke). I remember being blown away by just how good of a singer Phil was.
Something Mike said about “Who Dunnit” struck me as accurate in that it wasn’t until the online forums started that the blowback to that song really surfaced. My own reaction to it when I heard it was a very similar, “Wow, THIS is certainly different.” But it clearly has taken on more of a passioned feeling since the Internet.
I’m wondering if perhaps “Me and Sarah Jane” speaks more to males than females? Stacy’s feelings about it seems so visceral! 🙂
WOW, I can’t believe I found other people like me! I spent a lifetime in relative Genesis isolation.
I really … really! … enjoyed this. Can’t wait to catch up on the rest!
Finally got to the beginning the long way around.
ABACAB was my 2nd concert seeing Genesis (I’m old enough that I got to see them on the Duke tour). I had scored some excellent seats through a buddy of mine for the Buffalo show. Unfortunately the day of the concert we had an early winter snowstorm and the ‘excellent’ tickets never made it. I had to resort to some last minute tickets and missed the first song (Behind the lines) but it really didn’t matter. We were in the last row of the far corner at the Buffalo Auditorium. Phil was a tiny spec at the other end and the sound bounced around our heads. Thankfully we made up for it on the Mama and 3 Sides live tours!
Only found this about 8 years after the fact, but good news is I have lots to catch up with. Abacab was the album that got me into Genesis when I was 12, been my favorite band ever since. We may have crossed paths on the PAPERLATE listserv way back in the dark ages. Thanks