The Wicked Lady (Tony Banks album)
Encyclopedia
The Wicked Lady is the soundtrack to the 1983 remake of the film of the same title
. It was composed by Genesis
keyboardist
Tony Banks
. The first side of the album features Banks
performing solo versions of themes from the soundtrack. The second side is the actual soundtrack performed by the National Philharmonic Orchestra
. In 2001, the Genesis Official Home said a CD reissue of The Wicked Lady is planned but nothing has been heard since. This remains the only entire solo LP by a Genesis
member never to have been released on CD.
. They praised the second half for being "more complex and dramatic", but admitted that it would be of little interest to most Genesis fans. They also complimented the format of having the songs rendered in both solo and orchestral versions: "Often switching between minor and major keys within songs, Banks has always shown a proclivity to classical stylings which helps the transitions of his pieces here to their orchestral versions."
Side 2 performed by the National Philharmonic Orchestra
The Wicked Lady
The Wicked Lady is a 1945 film starring Margaret Lockwood in the title role as a nobleman's wife who secretly becomes a highwayman for the excitement...
. It was composed by 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...
keyboardist
Keyboardist
A keyboardist is a musician who plays keyboard instruments. Until the early 1960s musicians who played keyboards were generally classified as either pianists or organists. Since the mid-1960s, a plethora of new musical instruments with keyboards have come into common usage, requiring a more...
Tony Banks
Tony 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...
. The first side of the album features Banks
Tony 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...
performing solo versions of themes from the soundtrack. The second side is the actual soundtrack performed by the National Philharmonic Orchestra
National Philharmonic Orchestra
The National Philharmonic Orchestra was a British orchestra created exclusively for recording purposes. It was founded by RCA producer Charles Gerhardt and orchestra leader / contractor Sidney Sax due in part to the requirements of the Reader's Digest-History:...
. In 2001, the Genesis Official Home said a CD reissue of The Wicked Lady is planned but nothing has been heard since. This remains the only entire solo LP by a 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...
member never to have been released on CD.
Reception
In their retrospective review, Allmusic favorably compared the Banks solo half of the album to the instrumentals from A Curious FeelingA Curious Feeling
Allmusic gave a resoundingly positive retrospective review, asserting that "Banks manages to capture the wonderment and allure that enveloped Genesis' Peter Gabriel days.....
. They praised the second half for being "more complex and dramatic", but admitted that it would be of little interest to most Genesis fans. They also complimented the format of having the songs rendered in both solo and orchestral versions: "Often switching between minor and major keys within songs, Banks has always shown a proclivity to classical stylings which helps the transitions of his pieces here to their orchestral versions."
Track listing
Side 1 performed by Tony Banks- The Wicked Lady 3.34
- Spring 2.38
- The Chase 3.30
- Caroline 3.11
- Jerry Jackson 2.30
- Repentance 2.10
- Kit 3.06
- Barbara 4.50
Side 2 performed by the National Philharmonic Orchestra
National Philharmonic Orchestra
The National Philharmonic Orchestra was a British orchestra created exclusively for recording purposes. It was founded by RCA producer Charles Gerhardt and orchestra leader / contractor Sidney Sax due in part to the requirements of the Reader's Digest-History:...
- Prelude to The Wicked Lady 4.05
- Portrait of Jerry Jackson 4.59
- Caroline's Theme 3.06
- Scherzo 2.44
- Pastorale 4.02
- The Wicked Lady 3.45
- Kit's Theme 3.14
- Finale 2.06
Musicians
- Side one played by Tony Banks, recorded at home on 8 track. Mixed at the Farm, Surrey, with help from Steven Short and Geoff Callingham.
- Side two consists of orchestrated versions played by the National Philharmonic Orchestra of London (leader Sydney Sax), recorded at St. Peter's Church, Morden. Musical arrangements and orchestration by Christopher Palmer. Engineer: Tony Faulkner.