GENESIS COLLECTION VOLUME ONE

'Genesis Collection Volume One' is a very special compilation of Genesis. It's an economic package that includes their second studio album 'Trespass', released in 1970 and their third studio album 'Nursery Cryme', released in 1971, on a double vinyl record. This was a very interesting compilation because it included two absolutely indispensable musical works of the band at a very cheap price, what would be a very worth purchase, in those days. 'Nursery Cryme' is a truly masterpiece that can rival with some of their albums, such as, 'Foxtrot', 'Selling England By The Pound' and 'The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway'. 'Trespass' is far from be a masterpiece but is without any doubt their first great studio album and is also an excellent addition to any progressive rock collection. So, both albums are essential purchases. However, for those, like me, who have already both albums, this compilation only can be interesting as an addition for vinyl progressive collector's fans. So, we can question the real needing of this kind of compilation albums.

The line up on 'Trespass' is Peter Gabriel, Anthony Phillips, Anthony Banks, Michael Rutherford and John Mayhew. The line up on 'Nursery Cryme' is Peter Gabriel, Steve Hackett, Tony Banks, Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins.

As I've already reviewed these two albums previously on Progarchives, in a more extensive way, I'm not going to do it again. So, if you are interested to know, in more detail, what I wrote about them before, I invite you to read those my both reviews. However, in here I'm going to write something about them in a more short way. So, of course, I'm not going to analyze them track by track, as I made before, but I'm only going to make a global appreciation of both albums.

'Trespass': We can really wonder what happened to Gabriel & Co between their debut and their second studio album 'Trespass'. From the naive light weighted debut they had turned to a complex and masterful progressive rock sound that would become cloned by literally hundreds of other bands in the following years. Sure, from a technical point of view they were still far from be a perfect band, but the magic atmosphere, the distinctive, the delightful and the classic Genesis' sound, it was already here in all its glory. Gabriel's sore and passionate vocals, Bank's symphonic and majestic mellotron and atmospheric Hammond organ, Rutherford's airy bass sound and Phillips' tasty guitar work, are all presents here. Phillips would actually leave the band after this album, but the new guitarist Hackett would more or less clone his sound and style of playing. There's not a weak point in any of the album's six tracks, really. From the passionate opener 'Looking For Someone' to the mystical 'White Mountain' and then to the beauty of 'Visions Of Angels' through the many wonderful themes and chord changes of 'Stagnation' to the lovely ballad 'Dusk' and finally, the last but not the least, it all ends with the powerful aggression of 'The Knife'. For me, 'Trespass' is one of the most underrated progressive rock albums ever. I always had a very special feeling for it since I listened to it for the first time.

'Nursery Cryme': When Collins and Hackett replaced John Mayhew and Anthony Phillips, the definitive Genesis line up became a reality. The band also became a tighter and much more technical accomplished unit, and they further perfected the sound and style of 'Trespass' on their third studio album 'Nursery Cryme'. The title of the album was derived from the opening track 'The Musical Box' where an old nursery rhyme got mixed with a grotesque and surreal tale about a boy who got decapitated by his nurse. The cover art of the album was also clearly inspired by that song. The track perfectly captured absolutely every element of classic the Genesis, with lots of passion, theatrical drama, and the variations between beautiful, quiet, melodic parts and much harder and energetic passages with some incredible dynamics. 'The Fountain Of Salmacis' and the heavier 'The Return Of The Giant Hogweed' showed Genesis' music from their most ancient and fairytale like side. The symphonic progressive rock doesn't get any better than this. 'Seven Stones' is a beautiful and melodic little tune, while the cheerful 'Harold The Barrel' demonstrating some of Gabriel's best and weird humour and twisted lyrics. So, 'Nursery Cryme' is a classic stuff from the beginning to the end, really.

Conclusion: Both are two great albums from the band. 'Trespass' is the first great album created by the band and is perhaps the most simple and beautiful progressive rock album in all Genesis' career. It represents the real turning point for them. Besides, it's in a way the only album with Phillips on board. 'Nursery Cryme' is their first masterpiece and represents a step forward in relation to their previous album. It combines a superb musicianship, dry wit, and creative compositions making of it an essential piece. Besides that, it's their first album with Hackett and Collins on board. But, if you have both studio albums already, you don't need this compilation, unless, you have a collector vinyl spirit. In this case it will be a great addition to your collection, if you can find a lost copy. However, if you don't have both albums and you own this compilation, it substitutes perfectly well the two original albums. So, I'm going to rate it with 4 stars.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)