LIVE - THE WAY WE WALK VOLUME TWO - THE LONGS

Review Nº 836

"The Way We Walk, Volume Two ? The Longs" is the fifth live album of Genesis and that was released in 1993. It has been recorded during their "We Can't Dance" live tour, which occurred in the year of 1992. It was also the final full-length Genesis' release to feature Phil Collins as a member of Genesis before his amicable split from the band, in 1996.

While its road companion live album, the preceding "The Way We Walk, Volume One ? The Shorts" was totally focused on their short and most commercial recent pop hit songs, "The Way We Walk, Volume Two ? The Longs" was entirely focused on their lengthier, less commercial and most progressive songs that were performed during that period of time.

The shared title that is common on these both live releases is a clear reference to the phrase "the way I walk", which appears in the lyrics of two different songs of the band, "I Can't Dance" that appeared on "The Way We Walk, Volume One ? The Shorts" and "I Know What I Like" that appeared on "The Way We Walk, Volume Two ? The Longs".

"The Way We Walk, Volume Two ? The Longs" has six tracks. All tracks on this live compilation were been recorded at Niedersachenstation, Hanover, Germany, in 1992. "Old Medley" is a medley of several tracks performed by Genesis through the years, with some excerpts of different tracks from Gabriel and Hackett's eras. On this live tour, it replaced "In The "Cage" medley and the "Old Medley" that appeared on the DVD of the Earls Court live show. The excerpts of the "Old Medley" belong to "Dance On A Volcano" that was taken from "A Trick Of The Tail", "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway" that was taken from "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway", "The Musical Box" that was taken from "Nursery Cryme" and "Firth Of Fifth" and "I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)" that both were taken from "Selling England By The Pound". Curiously, this last excerpt has also very short excerpts from "That's All" and "Illegal Alien" that both were taken from "Genesis", "Your Own Special Way" that was taken from "Wind And Wuthering", "Follow You Follow Me" that was taken from "And Then There Were Three?" and "Stagnation" that was taken from "Trespass". "Driving The Last Spike" was originally released on "We Can't Dance". "Domino" is divided into two parts, "Part I ? In The Glow Of The Night" and "Part II ? The Last Domino". It was originally released on "Invisible Touch". "Fading Lights" was originally released on "We Can't Dance". "Home By The Sea/Second Home By The Sea" was originally released on "Genesis". "Drum Duet" was, as its name indicates, a live drum duet between Phil Collins and Chester Thompson.

"The Way We Walk, Volume Two ? The Longs" has a breathtaking sound, and it's almost another studio production. The "sterile" mix of the material makes this a live material on which, except for the applause, next to nothing can be heard from the audience. The first track "Old Medley" is an excellent medley almost focused on some of their best progressive works. It represents an incredible and unforgettable musical moment, with about 20 minutes long, and it's for me, one of the best medleys I've ever heard. The other four lengthy songs "Home By The Sea/Second Home By The Sea", "Domino", "Driving The Last Spike" and "Fading Lights" are all excellent live versions of the best and most progressive songs from "Genesis", "Invisible Touch" and "We Can't Dance", respectively. "Home By The Sea/Second Home By The Sea" sounds fresher and denser than in its 83 studio version. "Domino" is more powerful than ever and is played cleanly. "Driving The Last Spike" is one of the strongest tracks on "We Can't Dance" and sounds suspiciously very close to the original. "Fading Lights" is much more interesting, powerful and instrumentally embellished than on the studio original. The long instrumentals on "Fading Lights" and "Home By The Sea/Second Home By The Sea" will likely delight their fans. So, their best and most progressive songs after the 70's are almost present on "The Way We Walk, Volume Two ? The Longs". It only lacks to it "Duke's Travels/Duke's End" from "Duke" and "Dodo/Lurker" from "Abacab". Finally, the last track "Drum Duet" is a nice track and represents a good musical moment by both drummers.

Conclusion: "The Way We Walk, Volume Two ? The Longs" is an excellent live compilation from Genesis, especially because it's exclusively focused on some of their lengthier, less commercial and most progressive material work, contrary to their previous brother live album "The Way We Walk, Volume One ? The Shorts". As many of you know, I'm a big Genesis' fan and that I love especially their music from Gabriel and Hackett's era. Still, you also know that I like very much of some of their later tracks, especially their lengthiest and most progressive tracks. So, "The Way We Walk, Volume Two ? The Longs" has some excellent musical moments, despite being more a live compilation album, than a true live album. Finally, a last thought about both live compilation albums. If you have both parts (The Shorts and The Longs), you have all the essential tracks that appear on the last three Genesis' albums with Phil Collins in better and livelier versions than its studio versions. With both, you can skip "Invisible Touch", "We Can't Dance" and "Genesis".

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)

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