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Genesis 1976-1982 (12 Disc) - BOX SET

A Trick of the Tail (1976) /Wind & Wuthering (1976) /And Then There Were Three (1978) /Duke (1980) Abacab (1981)

The Review - By Moog Tronius

The first 5 installments of the Genesis 5.1 Remasters are here in this (12) disc set, and what a fantastic package these are! Firstly, it's a bit confusing as to what versions are out there because these are available in either a box set (including a 48 page bound book), or as individual 2 disc sets. But the confusion just keeps getting worse from there because if you get the European or Japanese versions of this box (or individual discs) they include the SACD mix (playable on regular CD players as well) and on disc two, PAL encoded versions of the bonus DVD material, plus the entire disc encoded in a 5.1 surround sound mix. Unfortunately in the USA and Canada, the versions available here are only the CD versions on disc 1 (no SACD), NTSC encoded video on disc 2, as well as the 5.1 mix.***

You've all heard the recordings anyway, so I'll spare you a song by review.***

Now that that's all out of the way (and I'll probably stir up a hornets nest with all the audiofiles out there reading this), but I am just not convinced that taking a recording that's 30 years old and remastering it in 5.1 surround sound is necessary or effective in the first place. The masters were recorded in analog anyway. The only purpose a 5.1 remastering of these discs does is give it more realism, but in this effect more realism (meaning like Genesis playing in your living room) doesn't do it for me. I don't need bass over here, drums sorta over there and keys, vocals… etc. What these recording DID need however was a good old fashioned remaster, and that was completed years ago when Atlantic issued the original remaster series. Many discs benefited from this, especially Wind & Wuthering in which the initial CD release sounded like it was recorded in a tin can. The LP was much better.***

Now, I'm not trying to knock the sound quality here on any of the discs because it's every bit as good as the Atlantic remasters, and if you're buying the discs for the first time then this is the way to go. However the real attraction here for me, and that MORE than makes up for the redundancy of releasing these recordings again, is the stellar video footage and extras that are included on the DVD discs of each recording. In fact, what makes you go "HUH?" is the fact that this footage has never been available on an official release until now.***

A Trick of the Tail's bonus video footage includes the entire Genesis: In Concert video (which was actually released as a laserdisc at one time). The concert was shot during this period and includes several classic cuts. Entangled and I Know What I Like are both here, as is also The Cinema Show (just the instrumental section), but the real killer here is the end of Supper's Ready which is absolutely beautiful. And if that wasn't enough, count Bill Bruford (of Yes and King Crimson fame), on Drums and you've got not only a great experience, but a historical document. The only drawback here is the use of goofy stock video footage that is played during some of the longer more instrumental sections which can be quite annoying. However, this is not enough to ruin the experience.***

Another highlight is on the Duke bonus disc where you can find a killer concert from that tour with the classic live lineup of Collins, Rutherford, Banks, Steurmer and Thompson. Genesis shot 2 consecutive shows live at the Lyceum in London in May of 1980. Some of this footage ended up being aired in the UK on The Old Grey Whistle Test. While the masters have not aged perfectly, it's a multi camera pro shot show and includes some awesome cuts aside from many Duke tunes. Check out In The Cage (complete with a keyboard medley of old tunes) leading into Afterglow, Dance On A Volcano and not to mention Los Endos for a mindblowing experience. Listen to it LOUD for maximum effect.***

If you are financially blessed enough to afford this (12) disc box set version you will get another extra special treat in a 6th volume (and also includes a 2nd disc in 5.1) which includes extra tracks they claim to be unique to this version. In reality, they are unique in the sense that they all have been remixed, unlike on the box set (many of these songs appeared on the Archive #2 box). The sound quality here is spectacular. Not to mention that if you're a US native and own Three Sides Live remaster on CD and you're missing the 4th side of extra tracks originally included on the LP (and for some ridiculous reason left off the US CD remaster), all those tracks are here too.***

All this plus music videos, bootleg footage, original interactive tour programs from the concerts, and some very candid and informative new interviews from Mike, Tony and Phil about the recording of each album etc make this "not to be missed".***

Nicely done by Rhino! Let's just hope they blow us away with the Peter Gabriel era releases, especially by including a nice clean video of the legendary Shepperton concert film from the Selling England By The Pound tour of '73. Now that would make me feel like royalty…..

*** Moog Tronius

Disc - (1)

Trick Of The Tail - (76)

Disc - (2)

Wind & Wuthering - (76)