ARCHIVE 1967-1975

What a great investment this collection is! This is how "Lamb" is supposed to sound as compared to the over-compressed and flat studio version. I don't think I'd ever really heard the composition fully until I finally got this set. I've always loved the music and words but didn't listen to it much because of what I consider the inexcusable poor quality of the original recording. The live performance brings it to life and Mike's incredible bass sound in particular is worth the price alone. So often overlooked, he stands right up there with the best bass players in the business for my money. Disc 3 is a treasure, as well. Here we really get a glimpse of the power Gabriel held over his audiences while the band supplied the horsepowered backdrop. "Moonlit Knight" is terrific and "Supper's Ready" knocks the walls down with its majesty. When Peter concludes the epic with "The Lord of Lords, King of Kings has returned to lead his children home, to take them to the new Jerusalem" it is so emotionally charged that it brings a tear to my eye every time. Of all the versions available of Supper's Ready this one tops them all. "Twilight Alehouse" is a real treat as well. I'll admit that disc 4 is for the true fanatics that have to have every single note these guys produced but I guess that just goes with the territory when it comes to an archive. It's kinda like working through a stack of demo tapes. I would have been happier with a remastered disc of "Genesis Live" to complete the chronological theme of the box set but I can't downplay the great sound that the other 3 discs provide. The band is upfront about their various overdubs and that is admirable. It shows that they would rather put out a product that sounds fantastic rather than trying to please a minority of listeners with an authentic but highly flawed recording. The first half of the 70s was when prog rock was in its prime and any fan of that era deserves to have this in their collection. If you are a real Genesis fan and are balking at the steep price consider that you'll easily spend this much in one night at a nice restaurant. Your meal will be forgotten but you'll still be listening to this decades from now.