THREE SIDES LIVE

When I originally bought this album (in a cassette), it was really a three sides live, with one side with b-sides from the Duke and Abacab sessions. The when I bought the CD it becames a Four sides live, and finally that is what this album really is: a complete live album. And by this way is far better than the original three sides live. In my opinion, Three Sides Live is one of the better live recordings that I ever heard. The band was in a great shape, and as an overall album the set list is fantastic, mixing old progressive stuff with the most progressive tracks of the eighties, with some little pop ones. Phil Collins was at his peak in terms of the power of his voice, and the live versions sounds really powerfull and musically strong.

Turn it on again: The best version of this song ever.

Dodo: A progressive number from Abacab, great track, wich sounds better here than in the studio album.

Abacab: The strongest version I heard. Maybe the Mama Tour version is a bit faster and by this way maybe better by this side. But here the instrumental part is superb. The Mike's guitar solo at the end is outstanding, and maybe is the best guitar solo that he did.

Behind the lines: Far better than the original, and the best version of all.

Duchess: Don't like much this version. The studio version is far better, specially in the chorus.

Me and Sarah Jane: A good one, stronger than the original

Follow you follow me: One of the pop ones. The version is less mellow than the original and so is better.

Misunderstanding: The other pop track. Not between the best pop songs of Genesis, but this live version is far better than the album one. The guitar is more in the front, and Phil's voice is more agressive.

In the cage meddley: The absolute highlight of the album, and the best one of all the In the cage meddleys out there. (except Cinema Show, in which I think that the Live Over Europe version is better because de keyboard sound). The In the cage version is superb, far better than the original, faster, heavier, perfect. The keyboard solo and the subsequent guitar riff are perfect. Cinema show is superb too. Bank's job in the keyboards is an milestone in the progressive rock history, only exceeded by the Live over Europe version in which the keyboards seems to fill everything with a monstrous sound.

Afterglow: Another highlight, and the best version ever of this great song. The voice of Phil Collins is almost everything, he sings with abslute power and passion. The end is apotheotic.

One for the vine: Fantastic version of this masterpiece. In my opinion is in the same level than the original version but in a different way. The instrumental interlude is superb.

The Fountain of Salmacis: I can't believe when I listen this version on the first moment. Is far better than the original one. One of the reason is the bad mixing of the Nursery Crime version. Really a highlight.

It / Watcher of the Skies: I don't like the It version. Too anarchic, without cohesion. Seems to be that Phil didn't know how to sing this song. Watcher of the skies is in a compressed version with includes only the intro and the closing section all in an unique instrumental version. Sounds really great, majestic and with a clear sound of the keyboards. The electric guitar touches of Steve at the end are incredible.

Five stars