Spot the Pigeon
Encyclopedia
Spot the Pigeon is a 7 inch EP
by the British progressive rock
band Genesis
, released in 1977. Its three songs were holdovers from the Wind & Wuthering
sessions, which the band felt did not fit the feel of the album.
Upon its release, the EP managed to reach No.14 in the UK singles charts. Although the EP market never took off in North America, their overseas distributor, Atlantic Records
, released Spot The Pigeon in Canada as a 12 inch, on limited edition blue vinyl.
This was Genesis' final studio release before guitarist Steve Hackett
's departure later in 1977. Unhappy that he wasn't able to get more of his songs onto Wind & Wuthering, Hackett was further aggravated when "Inside and Out" – which he felt was worthy of inclusion on the album – was relegated to this EP.
Although Spot the Pigeon saw a CD release, it has since been deleted. Two of its three tracks, "Pigeons" and "Inside And Out" appeared on the band's 2000 box set Genesis Archive 2: 1976-1992
, though – due to their personal dislike of the song – they saw fit to overlook "Match Of The Day"'s inclusion, making it a rarity for fans. However, the track had a new release on CD on 15 May 2007 when Genesis released the box set Genesis 1976-1982
in the US, thus making the entire EP available for the first time on CD in the US. "Pigeons" and "Inside And Out" have been also released on Turn It on Again: The Hits
– The Tour Edition.
A video for "Match of the Day" was made, with Phil Collins singing on the terraces of Queens Park Rangers F.C.
(the cover resembles a spot the ball competition photo), replacing the word "ball" with "pigeon" so that the title links the themes of the first two songs.
There is supposed to be an actual pigeon in the cover photograph.
, but concluded their review with: "Spot the Pigeon has never been a popular or even very accessible release in the U.S. Of course, there's a reason for this: It simply isn't very exciting."
/Phil Collins
/Mike Rutherford
, except where noted.
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
by the British progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
band Genesis
Genesis (band)
Genesis are an English rock band that formed in 1967. The band currently comprises the longest-tenured members Tony Banks , Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins . Past members Peter Gabriel , Steve Hackett and Anthony Phillips , also played major roles in the band in its early years...
, released in 1977. Its three songs were holdovers from the Wind & Wuthering
Wind & Wuthering
"It's Yourself" is the B-side to "Your Own Special Way", released February 1977-Related EP:All tracks from the Single Spot the Pigeon 20 May 1977-2007 SACD/CD/DVD Release:...
sessions, which the band felt did not fit the feel of the album.
Upon its release, the EP managed to reach No.14 in the UK singles charts. Although the EP market never took off in North America, their overseas distributor, Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
, released Spot The Pigeon in Canada as a 12 inch, on limited edition blue vinyl.
This was Genesis' final studio release before guitarist Steve Hackett
Steve Hackett
Stephen Richard Hackett is a British singer-songwriter and guitarist. He gained prominence as a member of the British progressive rock group Genesis, which he joined in 1970 and left in 1977 to pursue a solo career...
's departure later in 1977. Unhappy that he wasn't able to get more of his songs onto Wind & Wuthering, Hackett was further aggravated when "Inside and Out" – which he felt was worthy of inclusion on the album – was relegated to this EP.
Although Spot the Pigeon saw a CD release, it has since been deleted. Two of its three tracks, "Pigeons" and "Inside And Out" appeared on the band's 2000 box set Genesis Archive 2: 1976-1992
Genesis Archive 2: 1976-1992
Genesis Archive #2: 1976–1992 is a 2000 boxed set by veteran progressive rock/pop band Genesis. This retrospective covers the band's history while Phil Collins was lead singer....
, though – due to their personal dislike of the song – they saw fit to overlook "Match Of The Day"'s inclusion, making it a rarity for fans. However, the track had a new release on CD on 15 May 2007 when Genesis released the box set Genesis 1976-1982
Genesis 1976-1982
Genesis 1976–1982 is a box set of five studio albums by Genesis. It was released on 2 April 2007 in Europe by EMI and on 15 May 2007 in North America by Atlantic/Rhino. The 6-CD/6-DVD box set includes newly remixed versions of the albums A Trick of the Tail, Wind & Wuthering, ...And Then There Were...
in the US, thus making the entire EP available for the first time on CD in the US. "Pigeons" and "Inside And Out" have been also released on Turn It on Again: The Hits
Turn It on Again: The Hits
Turn It On Again: The Hits is a greatest hits collection by British progressive rock band Genesis. The album was first released as a single album on 26 October 1999 by Virgin Records in England and by Atlantic Records in the United States.In 2007, an expanded two-disc edition, subtitled The Tour...
– The Tour Edition.
A video for "Match of the Day" was made, with Phil Collins singing on the terraces of Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
Title
The title is a variation on the football-themed spot the ballSpot the ball competition
A spot the ball competition is a traditional newspaper promotion where the player has to guess the position of a ball which has been removed from a photograph of a ball sport, especially association football...
(the cover resembles a spot the ball competition photo), replacing the word "ball" with "pigeon" so that the title links the themes of the first two songs.
There is supposed to be an actual pigeon in the cover photograph.
Reception
Allmusic's retrospective review praised the songwriting on the EP for returning to the sound of early Genesis album TrespassTrespass (album)
Trespass is the second studio album by Genesis and was recorded and released in 1970. Their last with guitarist Anthony Phillips, Trespass had a folk-flavoured progressive rock sound that was a marked departure from their earlier work....
, but concluded their review with: "Spot the Pigeon has never been a popular or even very accessible release in the U.S. Of course, there's a reason for this: It simply isn't very exciting."
Track listing
All songs by Tony BanksTony Banks (musician)
This article is about the musician. For other people named Tony Banks, see Tony BanksAnthony George "Tony" Banks is a British composer, and multi-instrumentalist, who performs as a keyboardist and a guitarist...
/Phil Collins
Phil Collins
Philip David Charles "Phil" Collins, LVO is an English singer-songwriter, drummer, pianist and actor best known as a drummer and vocalist for British progressive rock group Genesis and as a solo artist....
/Mike Rutherford
Mike Rutherford
Michael John Cleote Crawford Rutherford is an English musician. He is a founding member of Genesis, initially as a bassist and backup vocalist. In later incarnations of Genesis, he assumed the role of lead guitarist. He is one of only two constant members in Genesis . He also fronts Mike + The...
, except where noted.
Personnel
- Tony BanksTony Banks (musician)This article is about the musician. For other people named Tony Banks, see Tony BanksAnthony George "Tony" Banks is a British composer, and multi-instrumentalist, who performs as a keyboardist and a guitarist...
– keyboards - Phil CollinsPhil CollinsPhilip David Charles "Phil" Collins, LVO is an English singer-songwriter, drummer, pianist and actor best known as a drummer and vocalist for British progressive rock group Genesis and as a solo artist....
– drums, percussion, vocals - Mike RutherfordMike RutherfordMichael John Cleote Crawford Rutherford is an English musician. He is a founding member of Genesis, initially as a bassist and backup vocalist. In later incarnations of Genesis, he assumed the role of lead guitarist. He is one of only two constant members in Genesis . He also fronts Mike + The...
– guitars, bass - Steve HackettSteve HackettStephen Richard Hackett is a British singer-songwriter and guitarist. He gained prominence as a member of the British progressive rock group Genesis, which he joined in 1970 and left in 1977 to pursue a solo career...
– guitars