Collins caused a scare among friends and fans two years ago with the news of the partial loss of hearing in his left ear. This is every musician’s nightmare. Can you imagine anybody who creates music and a drummer at that being able to hear sounds only with his right ear? But think Beethoven. The greatest composer of all time wrote some of his greatest works after he had already lost all hearing. So why not Phil, who has already proven himself a pop music genius? Besides, there is a strong chance that his condition may not be permanent
"The music is all there," he says during a break from his Testify promo schedule in Paris. "Nothing has changed." And nothing has indeed changed. While he has lain off touring in large arena shows, Collins continues to perform with his jazz group and was the house drummer in an all-star show held for Queen Elizabeth II in London’s Prince Albert Hall late last year. Of course, there is also Testify, which must be one of his best works to date.
Collins’ Filipino fans who still listen to Sussudio and Against All Odds will be glad to know that his familiar piano and drum combination still provides the bed for the songs. His singing is as expressive as ever and the same easy flow of melodies that characterized his earlier works is in evidence. What is new and exciting about the entire production is its strength. In fact, the words that come to mind while listening to the music are strong, young and urgent. Collins is making a testimony and he is doing it with all his might.
Save for the Leo Sayer hit Can’t Stop Loving You and Least You Can Do, which was co-written with Daryl Stuemer, Phil composed all of the songs. He also arranged all of them and performed all of the musical instruments. When called for, he harked back to the usual live accompaniment but for the most part, the music heard in Testify emanated from his new toy, the computer. "I used what I felt would be best for the songs," he says. "I can play the live drums or use the drum machine. It all depends."
He is justifiably very happy about the results. Testify marks the first time that he worked with a computer. "It was only a few years ago when I discovered computers and I am very pleased about what this technology allows me to do. The work turned out to be easier." He worked on Testify in his home studio in Switzerland. "It was like tending a garden. Every song just grew. It felt like they were writing themselves. I had little doodles that grew into songs. All of the songs in the album are as they are when I first sang them. And the nice thing about it was that there was no hurry about the whole thing."
The album is made up mostly of happy songs. "Yes, I am at that stage in my life where I am very happy. I cannot ask for more It is really an ordinary life. We live near the lake so we take lots of boat rides in the summer. We ski in the winter. Most of the time I putter around the house. And I just adore being with my son Nicholas who is almost two."
His children are the reasons for Come with Me, a sweet lullabye that echoes Brahms. He first sung the melody to his daughter Lily and it evolved into this beautiful song any doting parent would want to sing to his children. It is one of his favorites in the album. Another one is Wake Up Call, which is a hearty rallying cry for young people. Two of the best of the lot are Swing Low and This Love, This Heart, which are so simple but oh so affecting love songs. Then there is Testify, which is the centerpiece of the package. I want to testify, testify my love for you, he sings out and what you hear is a man so happily in love.
Life has been good to Phil Collins. "Well, making music is all I wanted to do and I got to do it." It has been more than 20 years since his first hit In the Air Tonight and more than 30 years since he joined Genesis but he has not in any way lost his enthusiasm for the music. "I always try to give my listeners something new." Unlike other pop stars he is not averse to doing the promo rounds like being interviewed or signing autographs in a music store. "I make something and I have to go out there to get it heard."
In the near future is the opening on Broadway of the stage version of Tarzan, for which he has written some new songs. He is also working on the music for a new animated flick titled Brother Bear. One day, he might try acting again. Collins was in Oliver as a boy and he later starred in Buster. "I say, at least once more before I die, I’ll act again." Also hopefully, in the near future, is a reunion with Genesis. "I don’t think we should ever rule out doing something together again."