LIVE - THE WAY WE WALK VOLUME TWO - THE LONGS

The first CD that I bought in my life, so it has some special place for me. The comparison with The Shorts is almost inevitable, and as I think that this last one was a mistake and it is only for fans, The Longs is a great live rendition of the 80's and 90´s prog side of Genesis. It has some great moments and other not so great.

Starting with the not ones, I could say that The Old Medley has good moments but as an overall thing I prefer the classic medleys like In the cage-Cinema Show, with a couple of sections jointed together and not five pieces pasted between them with little parts of hits inside it. By the way it has its moments. Starting with Dance in a Volcano, the version is superb and of course you become disappointed when it flows to the following section, The lamb lies down on Broadway, longer but shortened, even good. The closing section of Musical box sounds amazing even with Collins histrionic representation. Firth of fith is the keyboard and guitar solos and as always sounds really great. I really enjoy Stuermer work there, though it is rahter different than Hackett. I know what I like is complete but shortened once more, withouth the "parapaa no no no" section. But it is ruined with this little pieces of different songs in the middle, and not because the songs, it's ruined just because the alteration of the song integrity. The other shadow is the Drum duet. IMO the band had some options to complete the album, like Dreaming while you sleep (edited then on Archive II) or the complete version of Tonight tonight tonight. Yes, Drum duet never was edited live on a CD before (well, we have something in Seconds Out), but we had enough with the Videos and DVDs.

The good moments, luckily take up the biggest part of the album, and there are these long tracks. Home by the sea, well done as a whole piece, really shines with Second Home, in a stunning version, very powerfull and rougher than the original and other versions. Perhaps, the best one ever, with the rhythm guitar well in the front, and this monstruous drum sound. Domino is another one, a favourite of mine from this Genesis era. Very powerfull and dramatic, sounds far better than the studio recording, but can't reach the best version ever, the one of Live at Wembley Stadium IMO. By the way is a great rendition. Driving the last spike is well performed, but I prefer the studio one. Equally for those who like the track is a valuable version. Finally Fading Lights, sounds great, and maybe the instrumental section surpasses the original section, with Banks at his best.

The way we walk The Longs, collects the live versions of these prog tracks of Genesis from their last three albums with Collins, songs that never were edited live before. They could put some one more there, but this not devalues the recording. IMO is a great addition.