Album title: Seconds Out
Artiste: Genesis
Band Origin: Surrey, England
Recorded: Paris, France
Year: 1977
Genre Progressive Rock
Band Members:
Tony Banks: Keyboards RMI Piano, Mellotron, Arp
Phil Collins: lead vocals, percussion, drums on "Robbery, Assault and Battery" (during keyboard solo), "Firth of Fifth", "The Musical Box", "Supper's Ready" (during "Apocalypse in 9/8" section), "Cinema Show" (during keyboard solo) & "Los Endos"
Seconds Out - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Steve Hackett Gibson Les Paul Deluxe, 12 String
Mike Rutherford Bass & 12 String
with:
Bill Bruford drums, Cinema Show
Chester Thompson
n.b.Seconds Out was recorded in 1977, and Daryl Stuermer joined as a touring musician in 1978.
Familiarity of the Album: I haven't heard of this album til now. I don't quite know why I skipped this one. I still have to dig deeper into it.
Familiarity of the Band: One of my all time favorite bands, definitely in the top 10. Between Trick of the Tale and Duke is a shady area in which I'm not too familiar with.
Favourite track(s): Robbery, Assault and Battery
Why?
During the first instrumental solo break, Tony solos on a synth (2:20) and switches over the organ and at (3:00) Steve sustains a barely audible note which precedes to get louder then Tony switches over to the Mellotron, a recipe for goosebumps.
I don't know Phil found his voice yet on this tour, but he did a fair job enough. Phil Collins sings with different character voices, which was something Peter Gabriel did from the beginning. It's along the lines as Harold the Barrel except it's about crime and Phil sings all the parts which could be confusing. I really like the whimsical delivery of the different characters especially crook who got away and the copper with the East End accent.
Least favourite track(s): Supper's Ready
Why?
I love the song just not the version found on Seconds Out. It's lags and lacks the power and emotion of the Gabriel-era band. Peter Gabriel owns the song, no doubt about it. I'm not saying it is a counterfeit but it's just that Peter's personality is stamped on the original recording. It's just that Phil is another personality all together, it just seems that he's trudging along in someone else' footsteps. Also Phil skipped over the all important nonsensical speech Peter would give as the other band member would tune up their guitars. It was a total let down.
Any preconceptions prior to listening, whether good or bad?
I am partial to live albums. I was looking forward to it.
Artwork:
State of the art for it's time. It captures the 200 jumbo jet lights and ginamous fog machine..."special effects that would make a Hollywood mogul proud." The set marks a change from the slide shows and costumes that were the hallmark of Gabriel-era concerts. It gives you the impression "It was a dark and stormy night..."
Factoids you'd like to share?
Steve Hackett was taken out of the mix after he left the band. I wasn't particularly fond that... oh well such is band politics. Seconds Out has a double meaning. One is when the fighters' ring crew must leave the ring. Maybe this alludes the fact the Peter Gabriel, and Steve Hackett (as well as other members) left and the three left were those who were left were the three boxers willing to fight it out so to speak. They also played in an old boxing ring in Dublin.
Initial impression: Since TH mentioned Suppers Ready I jumped straight to that song first. Not what I expected.
End impression: The best version of Supper's Ready done live is done proper by the whole band with Peter Gabriel and Steve Hackett.
Comments:The very first live album I heard was Genesis Live, a tape own by my cousin, for me that is the pinnacle of live Genesis. I had to go back to Genesis: Live and give it another listen, imo it's the best recorded live show that was officially released. I also like 3 Sides Live, The Longs, and The Shorts. There are many bootlegs and live radio shows however I haven't the opportunity to hear them to compare them to a concert that was officially released. Some rare live footage that exist and has been released on youtube and they are worth checking out. I doubt if anyone is interested but anyway check out Supper's Ready live in Shepperton 1973.
Rating: 3.5
Compared to Genesis Live 5/10