GENESIS LIVE

The live album that is sometimes forgotten by those that only remember Seconds Out and Three Sides Live. But sacre bleu! This 1973 release was the only official live Genesis recording featuring Peter Gabriel until Archive #1 was released many years later. This recording captures the band at a time when they were really establishing themselves as a major force in the progressive rock scene. The first side is excellent, featuring generally improved versions of Watcher Of The Skies, Get 'Em Out By Friday and The Return Of The Giant Hogweed. The second side is, almost unbelievably, stronger, featuring two of their greatest ever tracks - The Musical Box and The Knife. The sound is quite aggressive, even a bit raw and not as polished as, say, Seconds Out. But that raw aggressive sound is part of its charm and adds to the power. As has often been said, the only slight criticisms are no Supper's Ready - later rectified on Archive #1 - and no Peter Gabriel stories. But that doesn't detract from an otherwise superb album. And just to complete the picture, you also have an unaccompanied bass pedal solo by Michael Rutherford! Five stars without question for this album.