Genesis - 1976-1982

Five sets from post-Gabriel line-up, on two formats, and in a box

Issued simultaneously as 5.1 Surround Sound SACDs and Dual-Discs, these Genesis studio sets from 1976-81 saw the band on super form. The albums have been reissued umpteen times before and their contents are well known to fans. A Trick Of The Tail boasts such gems as the scintillating opener Dance On A Volcano, the shimmering Ripples and closing grandeur of Los Endos. But the DualDiscs incentive comes in four parts. There are the promo clips for Robbery Assault & Battery, Ripples and the title track; a new band interview about the album, featuring the reunited Banks, Collins and Rutherford (a law firm in waiting) and in-concert material from that year, plus a White Rocks programme from the following one.

1977’s Wind & Wuthering boasts band standards such as the regal Eleventh Earl Of Mar, the gothic Unquiet Slumbers For The Sleepers and stunning closer Afterglow. On the visual front, there’s another new interview, period clips from US and Japanese TV, and a reproduction of that year’s tour programme. Following guitarist Steve Hackett’s departure in 1978, the bandwagon could have stalled, but the remaining trio instead pulled out all the stops for …And Then There Were Three…, presenting powerful performances in Burning Rope and Deep In The Motherlode, mixed with pop sensibilities on the catchy Follow You Follow Me, mong others. The accompanying videos for it and Many Too Many are supplemented by the continuing reflections of the band today, a Three Dates With Genesis feature, and reproductions of three tour programmes, including that year’s Knebworth Festival for an audience of 125,000.

Duke appeared in 1980 to rave reviews and, with staples including Behind The Lines and Guide Vocal, it wasn’t surprising. The classic Turn It On Again continued the singles chart momentum, and its promo film is here with those for Duchess and the equally perky Misunderstanding. More ruminations from the players are complemented by a tour programme and Live At The Lyceum London 1980 feature. The following year’s Abacab saw the band go stratospheric, the title track just one of several pop-rock hits mingling with quirkier numbers such as Dodo/Lurker and Who Dunnit? With four videos, including the breathy No Reply At All, insistent Keep It Dark and Man On The Corner, there’s also more tête-à-tête from 2007 and a 1981 tour programme.

Finally, the box set combines the expanded albums with a 13-track bonus disc, Extras, 1976- 1982, covering the likes of the Paperlate and Match Of The Day EPs, along with the former’s promo clip and more reminiscences. For Genesis fans old and new, it’s a must-have.

Virgin/EMI | CDBOX 12 (6-CD+6-DVD)

Reviewed by Tim Jones
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