A few years back I was asked to design what would have been the 45th Anniversary edition of this record, but for one reason or another - it wasn’t to be (who celebrates 45 anyway?!), and so a couple of years later with a more significant birthday on the horizon, I was asked again.
I have to confess, I didn’t know much about this album; I was aware of how important it was to Peter and many Genesis fans, and that taking it on was quite a responsibility - but beyond the title track and the Hipgnosis sleeve, it was all fairly new territory to me.
Fortunately a record of this vintage accrues quite a knowledgable following along the way and I had some fine help with getting my brain up to speed, namely Armando Gallo, Mino Profumo, Adam Gottlob, Simone Romani, George German, Kris Mahur and Aubrey Powell plus those a little closer to home, Peter Gabriel and Matt Osborne. Then with the support of the record company, I took a deep dive into the music and visual history of this seminal album and pivotal period for the band - and I really enjoyed it, and relished the opportunity to add a little something to an album that for many is regarded as one of the most important records of all time.
The Genesis band members were all involved in the oversight and approval of this new edition of the album, which include: The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway remastered from the original 1974 tapes (2LPs or 2 CDs), The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway Live At The Shrine Auditorium full live show from January 24th, 1975, including the two encore tracks for the very first time, “Watcher of the Skies/The Musical Box (3LPs or 2 CDs), a Blu-ray audio disc with Dolby ATMOS and Hi Res mixes of the album, along with other select visual images
Select Demos and Outtakes From Headley Grange (part of a digital download card with the full audio from the set), a 60 page book with Alexis Petridis liner notes, telling the story of The Lamb from the writing sessions to live performances, including band member commentary. The book feature images from Armando Gallo and other noted photographers, facsimile poster of the Shrine show, gig ticket download card and a 1975 Tour Programme reproduction.
I hope you enjoying listening to it, and looking at it, as much as I did putting it all together.
