Audio CD review:
Genesis - From Genesis to Revelation

Genesis - From Genesis to Revelation

Band: Genesis Title: From Genesis to Revelation Rating: Release Date: 2005-12-26 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: Where the Sour Turns to Sweet - Genesis, Banks, Tony 2: In the Beginning - Genesis, Banks, Tony 3: Fireside Song - Genesis, Rutherford, Mike 4: The Serpent - Genesis, Gabriel, Peter [1] 5: Am I Very Wrong? - Genesis, Genesis [1] 6: In the Wilderness - Genesis, Banks, Tony 7: The Conqueror - Genesis, Genesis [1] 8: In Hiding - Genesis, Gabriel, Peter [1] 9: One Day - Genesis, Banks, Tony 10: Window - Genesis, Rutherford, Mike 11: In Limbo - Genesis, Gabriel, Peter [1] 12: The Silent Sun - Genesis, Banks, Tony 13: A Place to Call My Own - Genesis, Gabriel, Peter [1] 14: A Winter's Tale - Genesis, Gabriel, Peter [1] 15: One Eyed Hound - Genesis, Banks, Tony 16: That's Me - Genesis, Banks, Tony 17: The Silent Sun - Genesis, Banks, Tony 18: Image Blown Out - Genesis, Banks, Tony 19: She Is Beautiful - Genesis, Banks, Tony 20: Try a Little Sadness - Genesis, Banks, Tony 21: Patricia - Genesis, Banks, Tony 22: Interview - Genesis, 23: Interview - Genesis, 24: Interview - Genesis, 25: Interview - Genesis, 26: Interview - Genesis, 27: Interview - Genesis, 28: Interview - Genesis, 29: Interview - Genesis, 30: Interview - Genesis, 31: Interview - Genesis,

Genesis ? Yep Okay. . this is the TRUE first Genesis album , before "Trespass". A lot of people dismiss it because it doesn't "sound" like what Genesis was soon to become. Much shorter songs , with a "pop" feel. But , still Gabriel's talents shine through. . . . . there have been many versions of this available; this is the one to get. . Superior sound , full lyrics , bonus tracks. Listen to it for what it is , not for what they were yet to become. Don't keep this "In Hiding" any longer! Enjoy a piece of history. In the beginning (1969), there was the first Genesis record. As the author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent" and a former radio disc-jockey, I am often asked to write and or discuss various recordings from the 60's and 70's. The gentleman they call Phil was nowhere to be found. The drums were courtesy of John Mayhew. The guitar was not Steve Hackett but a young Anthony Phillips. While the prototypical sound would not be born until October 1970's "Trespass", the band's offering of a mix of some Moody Blues and the Bee Gees "Odessa" should never have been maligned from various critics of the past. You don't compare this record to other ones by Genesis. You judge it on its own merits. While Peter Gabriel and company were in search of the perfect note and direction, they weren't devoid of an early vision. "When The Sour Turns To Sweet" is a wonderful opening track and there is no better way to enjoy the days of yesteryear then with this version of the first recording. The bonus tracks of singles and unreleased material give you a plethora of tasty treats to sink your teeth into. Anthony Phillips guitar sounds as if it he is strumming in your living room. This is the best fidelity yet! "The Serpent" is a tune with a haunting musical path. An attention grabber and a strong composition. "In The Wilderness" drops a bit of 60's psychedelia at your door. Gabriel sounds convincing as he delivers the vocals. "The Conqueror" is a more upbeat rocker. Many find this an immediate choice cut the first time out. "In Hiding" is a well-crafted vocal by Gabriel. There is no hoarseness in his presentation. The smooth delivery is worth a few listenings. "The Silent Sun" mixes the Moody Blues and Bee Gees sound of the times and pays nice homage to both. The first time you hear the CD listen to it straight through. Lock into the time, the foundation of the songs and the flow. Then pick your favorites and you'll see it doesn't matter album doesn't contain "Watcher Of The Skies" or "Back In New York City. " It has the sounds that make for a pleasant day. Enjoy the music and be well, Craig Fenton Author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent" . In the beginning, there was a terrific band But then, in a way, it's not the same band. It's hard to believe this is the same band that later became the very epitome of synth-laden '80s arena rock. Long before Phil Collins took the wheel, a bit before he'd even come on board for that matter, several years before the myriad side-long song suites and ambitious concept albums, there were five friends from prep school who made pretty and very British songs together. Their big break came when then-pop star Jonathan King heard a demo tape and was impressed with Peter Gabriel's vocals. They still sound great. So does the mostly mellow music backing him up, even if the band themselves thought it was a bit too mellow at the time. Their youth at the time does show through in some of the lyrics, which have all the usual prog-rock markings of royalty and chess and love and isolation and concern with the meaning of it all. But for the most part, the songs work well not inspite of the fact that they were obviously written by well-read teenagers, but because of it. It's the sort of youthful pretention and ambition that can't be faked, and it sounds entirely real as a result. And just what do those songs sound like? They remind me of very early Pink Floyd with a bit more real world sensibility, or the early Bee Gees without the pervasive mopiness. The musical style is a bit more folk-ish than most other prog-rock (much more so than later Genesis), with acoustic guitar and piano riffs figuring prominently in most of the songs. The same is true to a lesser extent of the extra tracks that did not appear on the original album, but they do sound even further removed from the later Genesis sound. The two single B-sides, "One Eyed Hound" and "That's Me," are perhaps the one and only indication that these guys grew up listening to The Beatles and the like. While they have the same art-rock styling heard on the album tracks, they also have a touch of the poppiness that defined early British rock. Fans of their later work might not like what they hear here, and those who loved to hate Genesis in the '80s might find they love it. It's worth a listen for anyone who likes folk-rock and early prog-rock, in any case. From private school to the recording studio If you like early Bee Gee's (Odessa) you'll like this. This is real good stuff considering they were only 17, 18 years old and right out of prep school. . Sweet Turns To Sour The songs are soothing,gentle, inquisitive, challenging, provocative, moving. Lovely to hear a first rate re-master of a classic disc! "from genesis to revelation" is a must have for all true Genesis fans. Very melodic with a fine mix of arrangement from sparse instrumentation to lush string accompaniment. Gabriels' voice is amazing at this young age. Searching, sensitive, bold! The first disc is true to the original album along with the art design. As a rule I am generally averse to much of the bonus material offered on re-masters. Thankfully all the bonus stuff is on the 2nd ,separate disc. I'll confess I only played it once, but my overall impression was that it detracted rather than attracted. Rough sketches that ultimately interfere with your appreciation of the finished masterpiece. That said I still implore the serious fan to get this important piece of rock history. You can see a complete list of all Genesis discography, or go back to the Genesis tabs