Way We Walk Vol.1, The (Genesis Live/The Shorts) - Genesis > Reviews > The Long, the Short & the Tall of 1990s Genesis

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Standard
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Good
Value for Money

Advantages:	A great double live album
Disadvantages:	Typically modern Genesis only

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

When I was 13 years old I discovered this band called Genesis, however I boycotted music in the 1980s and perhaps I shouldn't because then I would have known I should have seen this tour at Wembley instead of staying at home.

So this is a review of the double live album (available separately) of "The Way we Walk"

The Shorts

First off if you think Genesis are all electro pop music with twee little stories about love and quiet little similar sounding ballads also about love - you would be forgiven for ignoring this album.
People know about "Invisible Touch" and "I Can't Dance". I will not beat around the bush if you don't like these songs don't buy this album (in fact why are you reading this review at all)

Anyway - with a little careful listening - which you should always do with a progressive rock band!! you will soon hear some really powerful songs. The great "No Son of Mine" I believe is a very powerful song about (well exactly what the title suggests).

But Genesis are not all about love and seriousness
"Jesus he Knows me" is an attack on cheap tacky American religions who deal in money over faith. With lyrics like:
"I believe the Lord He came to me
He said get me 18 million dollars
So I can put gasoline into all my limousines
So I can build a theme park ....
For the Lord.....
Would I lie to you?
Everything Gonna be all right."

There is a lot of forgotten talent and plenty of nuances of meaning in Genesis songs that people miss because the modern Genesis is a little twee. You do get your quiet love ballads "In too Deep" and "Follow You, Follow Me" but of the two albums this is a little throw away.

So I will turn my attention to the real Genesis in the other album....

The Longs

If you like song that last 3-4 minutes then look away now
If you want to imagine Genesis as a naff little pop band who are dull then look away now.

For those still here - I shall continue

The Longs are what they says they are - the shortest track is the drum duet (just over 6 minutes) and the longest is (20 minutes I think)

If you want a quick summary of what Genesis have sounded like through the ages then the first track is a medley of loads of old tracks. It's always good when an album starts with a 20 odd minute track.
The quieter tracks are on this album too, but extended "Tonight, tonight, tonight" "Fading Lights" link in nicely to break up the loud, fast, and fierce tracks which are "Domino" and "Home by the Sea"
These latter two tracks I really should have included on my favourite 10 songs of all time. But anyway...

"Domino" is one of those tracks which starts off and quietly and changes halfway through with a nice little tension building pause in the middle. Then the track kicks off until the ending which keeps on starting up again. Later live versions carry this off even better, but the ending is astounding.
"Home by the Sea" is similar although the ending is a full on instrumental beginning with a relentless drumbeat.
I should point out that when I say ending I mean a section of music lasting about 5 minutes!!

A quick mention of the drum duet - Chester Thompson and Phil Collins synchronised drumming for over 6 minutes. If you have never heard Phil Collins drumming before then you will never have not heard anything like this before.

That's it.
These live 1992 albums are typical Genesis - if you like them you should have both - if you are not sure get "The Longs" it will change your mind on who you think Genesis are.

Actually buying any Genesis album pre 1977 will convince you really.

Enjoy.