SECONDS OUT

This is one of the best live albums ever made. It captures the essence of the 1976-77 tours so well! (I know: Those were the first tours I saw the band in concert!) It was so awesome to have them play so much of the "old stuff" (Peter Gabriel era songs) and still manage to blow people away with the new stuff. Having Chester Thompson up there duelling away with Phil--two masters at the top of their game, loving every minute of their performances--was such a gift! Too bad the beginning of the rift with Steve Hackett was so palpable. (He was front left--in his own territory--and he didn't really need it: physically mobility was not a part of Steve's shtick.) The recording truly captures some of emotional impact of some of the concert highlights: the theatrical genius of phil (sometimes a bit over the top), especially in "Robbery, Assault and Battery" and "Supper's Ready"; the amazing sound coming from Tony's keys washing and bathing the audience; the comedic moments (Phil's tambourine solo in "I Know What I Like"), great sound reproduction from the studio versions, and, of course, Phil and Chester's duels (especially in "Los Endos"). Awesome concert. Awesome album. Five of the greatest prog epics represented on one album, in one concert! Who could ask for anything more?!