Guest Post: Selling England by the Pound

Guest post by Scott Knudsen.  This Genesis work of art, their 5th studio album, occupies a very special place in my music-loving heart.  It produced a rarity in music, especially United States music culture.  This album premiered in 1973, the same year Secretariat was making horse-race history in the United States.  While debuting in '73, it actually went gold in the US in 1990.  That gap is significant, and it defines Selling England by the Pound perfectly.  You have to digest this album.  It followed Foxtrot, and Foxtrot allowed Peter Gabriel to take his mind-altering vision, Supper's Ready, to vinyl production.  A hard act to follow.  One of my favorite traits of this album is the stage it set for concert genius and success.  Go back and look at the song listings, and arguably The Cinema Show may be one of the best "live" productions ever.  The fact that Gabriel had a hand in development, it was Phil Collins who took the "live" scene to new heights.  A little known fact, but a tremendous note is the album cover.  The painting was done by Betty Swanwick and titled "The Dream."  The original painting is not what the band used as the album cover.  Why?  What is contained on the album cover that didn't appear on the original Swanwick work?  The Lawnmower.  The band convinced Swanwick to add this in for their use only.  The line, "Me?  I'm just a lawnmower......you can tell......." is one of the finest ever produced and one that will remain etched in any listener's ears for life.  "Firth of Fifth" without a doubt is the single-most underestimated and underrated song in possibly the band's history.  That is a big and brave statement, but I find it to be dead on.  It's worth a listen just for the Tony Banks piano intro.  This album is truly Genesis Genius.

Thanks Scott – great job.  Way to keep them mowing blades sharp.  Click on post title so see and hear Darrell Stuermer playing the "Steve Hackett" solo from Firth of Fifth.  Blogger's Note: this is the 250th post on this blog.