It was only appropriate that The Musical Box had a show on Halloween. No mere Genesis cover band, singer Denis Gagné puts on the makeup and dons the costumes of Peter Gabriel during his time in the group. Actually every member of The Musical Box dresses up like their analogue in the band they so admire.
The show on All Hallows' Eve down at the Arcada in St. Charles, Illinois was billed as a Genesis Live show, i.e. - a show from the Foxtrot tour in early 1973. While I was looking forward to the whole concert, I was extra excited to hear the songs from Nursery Cryme that weren't "The Musical Box".
Having said this, I think that the version of "The Musical Box" they played last night was the best I've heard them do. It was superb. They played with a burning intensity that hit me like a gut punch, especially during the speedy instrumental sections which were positively exhilarating. Despite no old man mask, the final section was as uncanny bordering on frightful as ever.
"Fountain of Salmacis" was great with its intricate, bouncy bass lines. "Return of the Giant Hogweed" was nearly as intense as "The Musical Box" and the ending sent shivers down my spine.
At some point, we got the "unaccompanied bass pedal solo" comment. I cannot recall if it was made just before "The Musical Box" or not.
"Supper's Ready" was awesome as usual. Strobe lights are simple but oh so effective. They never fail to instill a feeling of the strange and uncanny in me. The black lights were also simple but quite effective in creating a mood, a vibe.
Somewhere around the encores, Gagné said that Halloween was the only day of the year that he didn't feel silly wearing costumes. We then had a costume contest. One fellow looked great in the flower mask but the award for best costume went to a woman in the balcony wearing a red dress and a killer fox mask.
As for those encores, we were treated to three and all were unexpected delights. First came "Twilight Alehouse", a song from the band's early days that was played on the early dates of the Foxtrot tour. (Would we hear "Happy the Man"?) "Can-Utility and the Coastliners" was next and the ending jam was fantastic. Finally we got "Seven Stones". (!) What a joy to hear another song from Nursery Cryme. Great harmony vocals.
Gagné also announced that the band's next project would be doing late 70's Genesis songs with perhaps a brief foray into the 80s which I took to mean something from Duke. He made it sound like they'd be doing a variety of songs as opposed to trying to recreate a show from a particular tour. I mean, how could you do anything from Duke when you are out there doing a show from the ...and then there were three... tour? Anything is possible, I suppose.
The music, the costumes onstage and off, and the fact that it was Halloween made for a very special night. There was just something in air, something joyous and convivial, and the show felt like a true celebration.
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When I got into town, I needed dinner. Rather than the fancy schmancy joints near the theater, I walked over to El Rayo Burritos Guacamole Restaurant, a hole-in-the-wally Mexican joint east of downtown. I've meant to try it out my last several visits but never did, for one reason or another.
I got the fajitas with every flavor of meat they offered.
Very tasty stuff! Well seasoned and with a lot of vegetables, including what I think was a grilled serrano. Their salsas were very good as well. I will definitely be making a return visit.
Lastly, I went to the Binny's in Geneva and found this joint across the street that has a fine name.
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