THE TOKYO TAPES

Well, this was the very first DVD I ever owned, well before I owned some device able to read or view it, but I brought it to friend's houses to view it with them a few times. Then I sort of forgot about it in the bottom of a box and it slowly exited from my memory until I found it in that very same box two months ago. Actually after viewing it a few times, I like it better than back when it first came out, fresh on the heels of that Genesis Revisited release, which I had not really appreciated. So obviously my opinion of Tokyo Tapes was a bit "cheapened by its proximity of the afore-mentioned album.

But this start-studded cast has much more to offer than some Genesis revival, even if that group's repertoire still holds an important place in this project's repertoire. Indeed, bassist Wetton and flutist Ian McDonald give a Crimson legitimacy (and unfortunately an Asia edge) while drummer Thompson reinforce the Genesis camp. The usual Hackett sideman Colbeck rounds out the line-up on keyboards. Don't get me wrong: the vast majority of that night concert was Genesis and Hackett's material and it's a pure joy to hear the classics as the band strays a bit from the note for note perfect rendition. Indeed, the orgasmic organized improve in otherwise over-reprised Firth Of Fifth synth solo is absolutely worth the detour, and the abridged Los Endos (still featuring a Thompson solo) and Quiet Earth have since become fixed concert faves of Steve's sets.

Obviously that night's low points are the two Wetton-penned Asia tracks, but the absolutely fantastic renditions of the two Crimson tracks (Court & Wind) are more than making up for those weaknesses. As for the Hackett solo stuff, obviously the more successful tracks are from his earlier efforts like Hierophant and Steppes, but Colossus, Camino and Black Light (the latter showing Steve playing a decent harmonica). Well I wouldn't call this concert footage anything close to essential in regards to prog's overall heritage, but it's certainly pleasant enough to own and still get that fourth star, just because of the emotional impact of that evening.