www.genesismuseum.com

Lindisfarne Tour 1972

Foxtrot Tour 1972-1973

GENESIS

I've a feeling that when the rock analysts ofthe nextdecade go circumspectly about their business, theywill find greatdifficulty in omitting Genesis fromtheir chronicles.

For in the past two years the band have slowlyandmeticulously carved out their own little musicalniche and have grownslowly towards the apothesiswith which their efforts must surely be rewarded.

To say that Genesis are a unique rock bandofmulticoloured textures really only touches thesurface of what they areabout, for at its best aGenesis gig is like watching a pantomime againstthebackground of an orchestra.

The organic development of the band can betracedthrough their albums - "Trespass", which firstmade the public sit up andtake note a couple ofyears ago, then "Nursery Cryme" whichconsolidatedtheir position, and now a sensationalnew album "Foxtrot".

And so finally Genesis have come of age andjoinedthe top ranks of Britain's rock bands. In thepast it was always a littlerisky to bestow themwith superlatives but in recent months they havemadesome sensational inroads on the music scene.

Critics have been comparing some of thefineraspects of their music with bands of thecalibre of Yes and ELP, and thenew album justifiesall the accolades.

Peter Gabriel's stage act has been describedasmore fearsome than Alice Cooper, moredelightfully camp than David Bowie,but once againit is a natural rather than a contrived grace ofmovementthan personifies the characters aboutwhich he sings, and captures thehearts ofaudiences.

And so, to a dispassionate observer,Genesisarrived at the Reading Jazz & BluesFestival this summer as brightyoung hopefuls, andplayed midway through the Friday evening session.

No punches or garish expletives to winover the crowd- it was just the sameGenesis, with guitarists Steve Hackettand MikeRutherford sitting sedatelytowards the side of the stage asthough waitingfor, the conductor's cuein.

Tony Banks created waves of soundfrom mellotronand organ, that night,Phil Collins, the artful dodger, showedwhy he commandsso much respectfrom fellow, musicians, and the restwas left to the strikingfigure of PeterGabriel, his head partly shaven, hiseyes made up, hisface painted.

Out came the Genesis songbook- "TheKnife","Twilight Alehouse", "Return of The GiantHogweed" . . . and no wonderthe crowds wentmad.

No band could have followed them on thisshowingand the crowd knew it - but alreadyGenesis have moved into new territory-with thekind of enquiring minds that conjure up greatmusic.