Genesis
Archive 1967-1975

THE REVIEW

In this review I would like to focus only on the first 2 volumes of this work (which originally contains 4 discs). These first volumes contain the recording of "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway", recorded at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on January 24, during the tour supporting the album.

First, I would like to give a valid reason for the choice that may seem at least "Strange" to review only part of this publication. This choice comes from a series of considerations: 1) The part I reviewed has nothing to do with the rest. 2) The 3rd CD contains mostly live material recorded at the Rainbow Theatre during the Selling England By the Pound tour, which was released in the "Genesis Live 1973-2007" box set in its entirety and I think it's better to deal with it in that review. 3) I consider the 4th disc almost useless, and I might have listened to it at most 2 times.

Now let's proceed to analyze this live performance.

It must be said that even just the audio release of a "The Lamb..." concert had been long-awaited and when this box set was released, it was 1998, fans cried out to the "Holy Grail". I would like to start with the sore notes because, alas, there are quite a few and mostly avoidable. One thing that immediately caught the attention of keen fans was the profound difference in the tone of Gabriel's voice compared to the well-known bootlegs documenting that tour. Comparing the "unofficial" version of the same evening, unfortunately, one can conclude that many (too many) vocal parts of Gabriel were re-recorded in the studio in the 90s. Gabriel himself later confirmed this. This is a big historical fake, for which I was quite puzzled. Also, some parts of Hackett were re-recorded, with the justification of the "injured" hand that would have partly compromised his performance. Another sore point is "It". In the cover notes, Tonino Banks explains that the tape ran out and the song was not recorded, so the version that appears here is nothing more than a remix of the studio version with a new vocal track by Peter.

But now let's leave aside the negative aspects and immerse ourselves in what is the Magnus Opus of the Genesis, in my opinion.

I had been waiting for that moment for a long time when I put disc 1 in my player. The audience applause starts to build... You hear Peter introducing the work and the notes of the title track starting off. When the vocal part attacks, you can't help but have at least a "particular" feeling: After Gabriel's "original" voice, the one singing "And The Lamb..." is much deeper and "older"... Okay... I promised not to talk about overdubs etc. anymore... Now I really won't do it anymore! Unbelievable performance, everyone in a state of grace, especially dear Collins, one of the last performances as a full-time drummer in the career for mister "In The Air Tonight". The pieces flow one after another, and it's a true delight, the pieces gain exponentially compared to the studio version. The surprise comes at the end of the first CD. The voice of "The Chamber Of 32 Doors," in my opinion, is the only one that wasn't overdubbed. The second disc also flows quickly with other tracks with the vocal part from 1975, in my opinion. The pieces in question are "Lilywhite Lilith," "Anyway," and "Here Comes...". A great version of "The Waiting Room" should be noted.

Once the disc is finished, a sense of dizziness is perceived, you feel completely satisfied. Yes, it's money (a lot) well spent. ;)