THE PLATINUM COLLECTION

While I have not a copy of this I do have all the material. This is the advantage of the CD era. Imagine this collection as vinyl... (6 LPs or so) Here it's what 10 - 15 dollars for 4 hours of Genesis over their major eras. The collection is intended for the new Genesis listener - unsure where to begin - this will do the trick.

I had one preference it would be to substitute Your Own Special Way (sorry Mike) with One For The Vine with that jaw dropping instrumental.

Genesis undergo several eras. Often the 1980s era onward get a short shift. Perhaps we have to progress our thinking and understand the sophistication develops in the harmonies rather than the standalone solos. They all have considerable value with many fine pieces and most of them referenced in this superb collection. Having said that the experienced Genesis listener will probably find this set redundant but a useful thing to leave around someone's place to put on when required...

It's interesting how it goes from the latest era back through time, undoubtedly annoying anthologist fans who like everything in date order (like Miles Davis' Complete Prestige recordings). Still they did this with Archive 1 which is for the experienced listener.

But like I say, it's for the new comer who may be more familiar with the contents of CD 1 first and hearing how this band built up their fine body of work... and then remember this is only a sampler of a band whose influences range from Romantic Classical, folk, rock and roll, jazz fusion and soul; they give great songs but not forgetting the album experience is what Genesis are really about.

Newcomer, start here. 4 stars.

Experienced listener - get a copy cheap if you like or encourage others to look here... 3 stars.