Man of our times - the song...

[nichy]

I've been a Genesis fan since 1985 when I first heard Duke but I've always been in doubt about the vocals of this song, I mean the loud part and the refrain is def Phil, maybe his loudest "scream" but the "low" voice part... I've always thought it was Mike until I heard his attempt at lead vocals on Acting very strange... :-(
So it must be Phil unless someone surprises me with some revelation... I gather it's never been played live...
Thanx in advance!
NK
ps: by the way I love this song although a lot of ppl find it boring and repetitive, I think it's epic and very strong...

[Bill]

I love this song too nichy a forgotten gem off of Duke in my opinion

Anywho, perhaps you are hearing Dave Hentschel's backing vocals on that one. I remember reading somewhere that he did backing vocals on the album. It is clear (to my ears) in the song Duchess (towards the end), you can hear a "deeper" voice. Listen to both these songs and see if the voice sounds similar.

[nichy]

And what about the "Mighty Hogweed is avenged..." part of The Return of the Giant Hogweed... I've always wondered who sings that, I guess it's Peter, he's always been so versatile but that part sounds so weird...
Thanks for your reply Bill!

[Hot to Foxtrot]

Love this song along with Heathhaze from the album. There really isn't much Genesis music I don't love. This album is almost near perfect for me. The only one I don't get that love feeling from is Misunderstanding but I like it well enough.

Are you referring to Peter Gabriel's vocals in your last post?

[nichy]

yea but only that part "...kill them with your Hogweed head, heraclea mantegazzianiiii", I hear Phil doing backing vocals but what about the rest? Peter had such an incredible range, sometimes he was almost unrecognizable, like that part on Get'em out by Friday.. "It is my said duty to inform you..."

[Tom Eiselberg]

I've always assumed it was all Phil. When Duke came out Man Of Our Times was my favourite track by miles. I was disappointed it didn't make the set list. I'd rather MOOT than Behind The Lines anyday.

[nichy]

I love the song and I think the structure is a bit atypical for a Genesis song... So sad it was never played live... Wonder why!

[Craig]

I think all the voices are Phil's with different vocal effects on them. And though I think that "Man of Our Times" is a very good song, to me it sounds more like it was "manufactured" in the studio rather than actually being "played" by the band. I would guess that and its rather repetitive nature is why it wasn't played live.

[nichy]

If you notice the weird voices, like the fact that sometimes you can't detect what instruments is being played (is it a guitar, it it keys?), is a trick they've done quite a few times... There's another voice that I can't recognize and it's on Slippermen, the one that goes "We like you have tasted love..." , who knows who sings/talks in that case??? Is it Phil???

[Bill]

That's just Peter changing his voice to sound like that (I believe)