GENESIS
BBC Broadcasts (5CD box)
EMI/UMC
Genesis are one of the UK’s best known and most successful rock bands, too many hits to mention, and with chart and tour success around the world, they’re also one of the most divisive, producing some of the finest progressive rock during the 70s, turning to a mainstream rock/pop in the 80s, more in line with the various solo projects of the era.
Formed in the late 60s and discovered by Jonathan King, the band recorded one album for Decca before taking prog rock by the horns and signing to Chrysalis, and like many, they achieved airplay with radio sessions thanks to the BBC. And there is a find body of work here, that documents the band’s successes and changes from 1970 up to their 1992 Knebworth performance.
And what a lovely box this is.
Disc 1 opens with three tracks from Nightride 1970, the band consisting of Peter Gabriel, Tony Banks, Mike Rutherford, John Mayhew and Anthony Phillips. Back then the music was much more gentle, almost whimsical (hints of folk music), but a fine vocal performance, especially on Pacidy.
By 1972 and 2 Paris tracks (Fountain Of Salmacis and The Musical Box), and Phil Collins and Steve Hackett replacing Mayhew and Phillips respectively, and there is a distinct prog sound and a fine balance of whimsical folk and hard rock, this is a really good listen. The Musical Box is a 10 minute treasure. Several tracks from Top Gear and Sounds Of The 70s (1971 and 1972) follow, and a serious highlight is Watcher Of The Skies, recorded at Wembley 1975.
Disc 2 kicks off with five tracks from Knebworth 1978. By then both Peter Gabriel and Steve Hackett had departed, so on stage Daryl Stuermer and Chester Thompson augmented the Collins/Banks/Rutherford trio. A fine performance, opening with the excellent if nuts Squonk.
And while the changes were still a seedling, they were starting to bloom for the 1980 Lyceum performance (10 tracks on disc 2, another 9 on disc 3), recorded for the Friday Rock Show. And within the changes it’s good to hear some earlier tracks like I Know What I Like and The Knife, and their first major Hit Follow You Follow Me (1978) is there too.
Split between Discs 3 and 4 is a 1987 show from Wembley. A fine performance, solid, well recorded (a far cry from the 1971/2 tracks). At the height of their success, there is a commercial element to the music, and tracks like That’s All (I really like this track) and Invisible Touch go down a storm. Two tracks from the NEC 1998 finish disc 4.
The final disc is the Knebworth 1992 performance. Commercial rock criticisms aside, it’s a wonderful recording of a solid performance. Several tracks are extended, and there’s an enjoyable 20 minute medley of 70s material.
What stands out most of all about this box is the excellent packaging. 5 discs in card sleeves, but it’s the booklet that makes the difference. Thick, lots to read, lots of info about each performance, it’s what more of such releases need. Although many of these tracks have been previously released, to have them together and collated like this, with this book(let), makes it more than worthwhile.
A welcome part of the collection and it tells a good story.
Joe Geesin | Now Spinning Magazine
