INVISIBLE TOUCH - LIVE AT WEMBLEY (DVD)

IMVHO Genesis are playing symphonic prog rock in the '80s and doing so very well. The music and sound is updated and very crisp. Beautiful touches during the songs show the fluency of the playing. Here, Daryl Sturmer plays bass (I think he covers the Hackett guitar parts while Rutherford does his own) e.g. Los Endos which I have to say makes me want to hear more of the '76 - '78 era. The bright '80s numbers have hardness and clarity.

Of course the mystical sounds of ATOTT, WOW and ATTWT are displaced alienating fans of those and earlier eras. This is the trouble with "progressive"; the term at least implies change and fans are often not keen on that! But I think it's a tribute to Genesis that not only do they change with the times they do so very successfully and bring their music to larger audience of all of whom deserve it. I would have liked a Duke's Travels to emphasize the musical talent here. However, there are many fine instrumental performances, Drum Duet, Abacab (terrific), Domino and Home By The Sea spring to mind and the punch and power is very present.

Phil the actor hams things up with a Blues Brothers tribute intro of the band. Might have been best left to a solo gig as after Los Endos I kind of really wanted more of that era and suits Genesis more than a medley of tunes best done in a pub or one of Phil's own gigs - soul numbers are fine but I think Genesis fans might have preferred say, One For The Vine. Oddly no sign of Follow You Follow Me which would have fit very well.

It's an incomplete concert which is a shame so a full 5 stars cannot be given. Well produced and impeccably and enthusiastically performed. It's dramatically staged and filmed well and during a massive outdoor concert, well during 4 actually.

If it were complete and had a 2 CD set included then 4 stars minimum. I think it's excellent but not perfect. So 3 1/2 i.e. 3...

A fine DVD and well recommended.