THREE SIDES LIVE

For a long time I considered this album to be the poor stepchild of Seconds Out because the double LP version I bought back in the early 80s wasn't mastered particularly well and it also included the side containing studio outtakes and the forgettable "Paperlate." But recently I came across the remastered CD and noticed the extra live songs included and sprung for it without hesitation. What a difference a good remastering can do! The presence and clarity is amazing. Even the overplayed "Turn it on," "Misunderstanding" and "Follow You, Follow Me" seemed to come alive for my jaded ears. The drum duo of Collins/Thompson is truly unbeatable and so tight that it defies description. The "In the Cage" medley still sends chills up my spine even after decades of listening to it often. It is played ferociously and "Afterglow" deserves to be repeated from Seconds Out because Phil sings it with such emotion that it eclipses the previous live and album versions completely. I've read where some think his vocal is not up to par on this recording but I don't agree. At least not on that particular emotional song. Having this in my possession now makes me think what a crime it was to leave so many great live performances off the original US release. "One for the Vine," "Fountain of Salmasis," "Behind the Lines," "Duchess," "It" and "Watcher of the Skies" (the latter two featuring Bill Bruford on drums) are all top notch performances and make this collection necessary for all Genesis fans who have either overlooked it or are still judging it by the original inferior release.