Genesis Live

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Genesis Live is the first live album released by rock group Genesis in 1973. It was the band's first top 10 hit in the UK reaching #9 and remaining on the charts for 10 weeks.

History

Originally, Genesis had no plans to release a live album at the time, but were persuaded by their label, Charisma Records, to release Genesis Live as a budget-priced title to mark time while the band recorded the album Selling England by the Pound in mid-1973. The result became a boon for Genesis fans, as this album represented the only legitimately released concert recording of the band with Peter Gabriel on vocals, until the 1998 release of Genesis Archive 1967-75.

The tracks on the album were recorded at De Montfort Hall, Leicester, England, on February 25, 1973 (1973-02-25) except for "Return of the Giant Hogweed" recorded at the Free Trade Hall in Manchester, England on the previous day, when the band was touring in support of their Foxtrot album. These recordings were originally made by the US radio show King Biscuit Flower Hour, although they were never broadcast.

A remastered version was released on CD in 1994 by Virgin in Europe and Atlantic in the U.S. and Canada.

Genesis never officially released a live recording of "Supper's Ready" from the Foxtrot tour, but a recording of the song from the following year's tour was released on 1998's 4-CD boxed set, Genesis Archive 1967-75. However, Gabriel re-recorded some of his vocals before allowing release.

A handful of early radio promotional double-LP test pressings by Philips/ Phonogram Int. B.V. (actually PolyGram at the time) were created which included a 23-minute version of "Supper's Ready" from the Leicester show. This pressing's running order was 1-3-5-"Supper's Ready"-2-6 and included between-song patter by Gabriel. Whether this test pressing was intended to be released as the actual album is unknown. In the event, "Supper's Ready" was not included. However, the cover art is of a photograph taken during a live performance of "Supper's Ready", with Gabriel donning the "Magog" mask.

Track listing

All songs by Tony Banks, Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel, Steve Hackett and Mike Rutherford, except as noted.

Side one

1. "Watcher of the Skies" – 8:34
2. "Get 'Em Out by Friday" – 9:14
3. "The Return of the Giant Hogweed" – 8:14

Side two

1. "The Musical Box" – 10:56
2. "The Knife" (Banks, Gabriel, Phillips, Rutherford) – 9:47

Personnel

• Peter Gabriel – vocals, flute, bass drum, tambourine
• Steve Hackett – lead guitar
• Tony Banks – Hammond organ, Mellotron, Hohner pianet, 12-string guitar, backing vocals
• Mike Rutherford – bass, bass pedals, 12-string guitar, backing vocals
• Phil Collins – drums, backing vocals

Release history

All releases of Genesis Live on Charisma Records in the USA were distributed by Buddah Records.

U.S. LP releases

• Charisma CAS-1666 (1973): 1st issue with large "Mad Hatter" label.
• Charisma CAS-1666 (1973): 2nd issue with "pink scroll" label.
• Charisma CAS-1666 (1974): 3rd issue with small "Mad Hatter" label.
• Atlantic 81855-1 (1982): Reissue.