SECONDS OUT

As a whole, this live album lacks the punch and thunder of "Genesis Live". There's just not enough ummph! Hackett's guitar is so low in the mix, it's frustrating. Phil sings well on the songs from "Trick Of A Tail", especially 'Squonk'. But when it comes to singing the Gabriel stuff, I'm sorry, his voice is not theatrical enough. I miss the nuiances in Gabriels voice during 'Supper's Ready', 'Musical Box' and 'Fifth of Firth'. Anyone can sing those songs and sound fine, as Collins does. But Gabriel gave them a uniqueness. He gave them a soul. He breathed life into them. With Collins, it's just a song to sing. With Gabriel, they're a part of his very being. Not all is bad though. Mssr. Bruford's drumwork on 'The Cinema Show' is splendid as is his duel with Phil during 'Los Endos'. Mr. Thompson's I find competent. So what this albums boils down for me is a kind of halves. One half, (Collins era songs) are fine. The other half (Gabriel era songs) disappointing. So I'll split it down the middle, 3.5 stars.