GENESIS LIVE

Live albums can be a shaky proposition; quaint offerings of music better experienced under a controlled setting and, except in rare cases, to be avoided until one has heard the original. This tends to be the case with Genesis Live and though it has the potential to be a good introduction for a new fan, it has real problems.

First, the mix which, somewhere along the line, went terribly wrong. Banks and Collins are often buried and at times it is hard to tell if Steve Hackett is even on stage, the whole thing sounding a bit like it was recorded from the third row of the audience. There also seems to be a slight intonation problem which, because of the band's complex and sometimes delicate music, is distracting. Zeppelin could get away with occasional mis-tunings, Genesis not so much. Zep also made up for their inexcusably sloppy demeanor with passion and bold improvisation. Here, Rutherford, Hackett, Banks, Gabriel and Collins simply recreate the album versions practically note-for-note which is not what rock is all about, even prog rock. Further, the mood of the performance lacks enthusiasm and life. Considering Gabriel left only one year later, this is perhaps not surprising. The set has its moments as in 'Hogweed' and 'Musical Box', both solid compositions. But there is something missing here, something important, and judging by their other live material - such as Three Sides Live, a much more dynamic and better-sounding affair - one assumes they could and did do better. A regrettable three stars.