Live Prog at it's Best

Released in Nov. 1977 at the height of the punk craze, Seconds Out is one of the last great progressive rock albums of the 70's and in my opinion one of the very best of those classic double-live albums of the era. Just as prog as a whole was beginning it's demise, Genesis themselves would soon become a pop band. This was Steve Hackett's last recording with Genesis and his departure would portend a far more radical shift in Genesis' sound than that of Peter Gabriel a few years earlier. Fortunately, Hackett went out on a high note as he turns in some terrific performances here, and all on that most un-prog of guitars, the Les Paul.



Phil Collins had moved to center stage and was replaced on drums first by Bill Bruford, then Chester Thompson, though he still joined in some two-drummer stuff on some crowd-pleasing instrumental segments. (Interested parties should check out Thompson's previous work with Zappa and the Mothers!)



Collins had clearly grown into his lead role and turns in one heckuva performance. Anyone thinking of Su-Su-Sudio and snickering should immediately put on "Supper's Ready" from this CD. Back when I was a prog-obsessed teenager, my friends and I would argue passionately about who did "Supper's Ready" better, Collins or Gabriel. My pick was and is Gabriel, but mainly because he was first. The fact that it's even debateable says a lot about Collins' performance throughout this CD.



Mike Rutherford and Chester Thompson were a solid and underrated rhythm section, one of the most solid and underrated of their time. The Bruford tour is represented by a jaw-droppingly good version of "The Cinema Show."



All in all, I've loved Seconds Out since I bought it as a new album as a kid. I love it even more in the cleaned-up remaster. One of the best live records ever and a personal 5-star CD.

Solid live set

This was a fine snapshot of the post "Peter Gabriel" Genesis show. The performances are precise. They flow nicely. The "Dance on a VolcanoLos Endos" is just a masterpeice. Well worth the investment for the Genesis fan.

You must be joking.......

This baby deserves five stars just for the ending of "Supper's Ready" alone. It may just be the best finish to any song I have ever heard, except for some to be found in classical music. But there is so so much more that is great on this album. It is the ultimate long road trip in a fast car album. And the girls love it too.



This is amazingly profound music, even if some of the lyrics may be a little whimsical at times. This is some of the most amazing live work I've ever heard, and the songs are almost all fantastic and I personally feel far better versions than the studio versions, though I can definitely appreciate anyone loving the studio work more.



Great stuff. Enjoy!



Over and out.

(The Professor recommends: "The Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys" by Traffic; another perfect long road trip in a fast car song.)