GENESIS LIVE

The band didn't really dissapoint anyone with this early live release - it was intended as a 'hold you over', Bargain Basement release in between studio albums. "Genesis Live"'s strong point is that Phil's drums come through LOUD and clear...extremely similar to what one would hear while in the audience of a concert.

But for those of us who loved the vivid feel of the thematic songs themselves (on the studio albums) well this aura is not all existent on this release. Usually Tony's thick Organ would literally Pull the listener into the song but here his sound is very anemic and lifeless - my best guess is that he hauled in some easily transportable keyboard (is it an organ?) for the concert and tour. "Watcher of the Skies", however, is the standout on this album. Steve's guitar playing is way too polite on this particular rendition but the recording has a loud, deep tone that is superior to the more shrilly (but great) studio version.

Both "The Knife" and "The Musical Box", on this release just sound too sloppy for my tastes. Tony's heavy Organ would have made the difference, had it been there! When I began transferring my Rock music collection from vinyl album and cassette over to Compact Disc, this one wasn't included. And that's saying something.