Genesis - Rock Theatre (1973)



A German-Only release at it's birth, this was apparently their record companies attempt to package the complex Genesis for the average AM/FM radio fan. It seems to me that you either get it with Gabriel-era genesis or you don't, I can't imagine many fans being won over by this and the band themselves parted with Gabriel about 18 months later. They would have indeed been something to see in their time and the pictures from their shows certainly presage later Gabriel-influenced bands and rock theatre in general. Truly a visual spectacle that was backed up by deft musicianship and the inimitable voice/flute/histrionics of the great Mr. Gabriel. Too bad he poo-poo'd the reunion. I was very much looking forward to it. More on the way, my good friends.

Also - found a cool tidbit on the internets -

"Notes: This German release has some great songs and the near 23 minute long Supper's Ready for you listening pleasure. Gabriel's words and Tony Banks music, aided by the rest of the gang, take us on a tour of their mind. Phil has yet to move on up to the vocal mic and fills his percussive roll ably. All the pieces collected here travel well to the stage and the theater-like presentation Gabriel prefers. The from cover photo of our boy the alien, along Mike and his double-neck guitar give us peek of their performance style. The back cover has a few interesting promo's for the likes of The Turtles, Aphrodite's Child and the Yardbirds and more. A nice piece for the true Genesis collector."





1. I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)
2. Harold The Barrel
3. Harlequin
4. Watcher Of The Skies
5. Fountain Of Salmacis
6. Supper's Ready





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