GENESIS LIVE

For a long time this was the only "live" Gabriel-led GENESIS album out there. This was recorded during the "Foxtrot" tour in 1973. They stick pretty close to the original studio versions but there is much more passion and energy on this record. Every song on this album is better than the studio version in my opinion. Besides hearing Gabriel sing live, the other highlight for me is the guitar work of Steve Hackett. It just seems like he has no restraints whatsoever in his playing, and it's so enjoyable to hear. I'll pass on some other highlights.

"Watcher Of The Skies" opens with an ocean of mellotron, and check out the bass playing of Rutherford that seems so upfront in the mix. Nice. "Get 'Em Out By Friday" gives us an opportunity to hear Gabriel at his theatrical best. And i'm sure that's why this song was included. Mellotron is not as plentiful but it's on this one too. And Hackett is showing us how well he can play. The mellow section 2 1/2 minutes in is my favourite. "The Return Of The Giant Hogweed" out-shines the studio version, especially the powerful instrumental section 7 minutes in to end the song.

"The Musical Box" is my favourite track on this recording. Everything is so delicate and gentle for the first 4 minutes. Pulsating keys as well as some beautiful guitar melodies from Hackett follow. "The Knife" is from the "Trespass" record. What makes this interesting is hearing Hackett play Phillip's guitar parts. At 3 minutes in he's terrific, but at 6 1/2 minutes in he's lights out ! I've never heard Hackett play this aggressively before ! Incredible ! And check out Gabriel's flute melodies in a beautiful pastoral section a couple of minutes earlier.

I am just so impressed with this album. I had always heard how good this band was "live" when Gabriel was at the helm, well now I can vouch for that myself. This is a must have in every prog fans collection.