Really Randoms:Genesis : Rolling Stone

One of the last bands the world was expecting a reunion from, the original Genesis (is that redundant?), has reunited, at least in the studio, to re-record "Carpet Crawlers," the original version of which appeared on the group's seminal art-rock album The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway (1974). The song will be included on a Genesis "best of" package slated for release later this year. At press time, it was not known if all five original members of Genesis (Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel, Steve Hackett, Mike Rutherford and Tony Banks) were on board during the recording, but the Los Angeles Times reported at least Collins and Gabriel were indeed on hand during the sessions, which are taking place somewhere in England. Producer Trevor Horn (Seal, Yes) is handling producing duties on the song. . .

Paul McCartney is turning his grief over the loss of his wife into art. Since the death of Linda McCartney of breast cancer last year, Paul has seen to the publishing of a book of her photographs and an album of her songs. Last month, he participated in a benefit concert at London's Royal Albert Hall along with Chrissie Hynde, Sinead O'Connor and George Michael. Now the former Beatle has joined ranks with seven other British composers to write a classical tribute called "A Garland For Linda." As well as penning a song titled, "Nova," McCartney has also reworked "Lady Madonna," "Fixing A Hole," "And I Love Her," "Here, There And Everywhere" and "Let It Be" to accompany the eight original compositions. It will debut July 18 with a performance by The Joyful Company of Singers at the chapel of Charterhouse public school in Surrey . . .

Imagine Woodstock or Lollapalooza being invaded by jazz cats, and you've got an inverse picture of this year's Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. Among the borderline jazzy and flat-out-not-jazzy-at-all acts scheduled for the July 2-17 festival are R.E.M., Alanis Morissette, Elvis Costello, Blondie, Van Morrison and Al Green.

BLAIR R. FISCHER, RICHARD SKANSE and JAAN UHELSZKI
(May 17, 1999)