Genesis (July 20, 1973) – Genesis Live Album Release UK

Jul 20, 1973

3 min read

Genesis Live is the first live album by the English progressive rock band Genesis, released on 20 July 1973 by Charisma Records. Conceived by label owner Tony Stratton-Smith, the album was intended to bridge a scheduling gap and maintain public interest while the group experienced prolonged writing sessions for their fifth studio album, Selling England by the Pound (1973).

The band initially resisted the release, but acquiesced on the condition that the record be sold at a budget price.

The final track listing was compiled from two unbroadcast February 1973 performances during the Foxtrot tour, captured for the King Biscuit Flower Hour radio programme and later mixed at Island Studios with engineer John Burns.

Upon release, Genesis Live became the band's highest-charting album to date and their first to enter the UK top ten, peaking at No. 9 and temporarily outselling Foxtrot. Following its delayed 1974 release in the US, it also became the group's first album to enter the charts, peaking at No. 105 on the Billboard 200. Dissatisfied with the release, the band temporarily deleted it from their catalogue in 1977 following the launch of their second live album, Seconds Out.

Track Listing All songs written by Tony Banks, Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel, Steve Hackett and Mike Rutherford, except “The Knife”, by Banks, Gabriel, Anthony Phillips and Rutherford.

Side one

• Watcher of the Skies — 8:34

• Get 'Em Out by Friday — 9:14

• The Return of the Giant Hogweed — 8:14

Side two

• The Musical Box — 10:56

• The Knife — 9:47

Album Details

Released: 20 July 1973

Recorded: 24 February 1973 at Free Trade Hall, Manchester (“The Return of the Giant Hogweed”) and 25 February 1973 at De Montfort Hall, Leicester (rest of album)

Studios: Mixed at Island Studios Genre: Progressive rock

Length: 46:45

Labels: Charisma, Atlantic

Producer: John Burns, Genesis Chronology: Foxtrot (1972) → Genesis Live (1973) → Selling England by the Pound (1973)

Packaging

The front cover features a photograph by Bob Gruen taken during a March 1973 concert at Princeton University in New Jersey, capturing Peter Gabriel performing “Supper’s Ready” in his Magog costume.

On the reverse sleeve, Gabriel authored an untitled, surreal short story derived from one of his standard between-song stage monologues. The sleeve notes contain a tribute to the band’s longtime friend and sound engineer, Richard Macphail.

Reception

Rolling Stone gave the album a brief but positive review, commenting that “this album goes a long way toward capturing the gripping power and mysticism that has many fans acclaiming Genesis as ‘the greatest live band ever’”.

A retrospective review by AllMusic was also resoundingly positive, noting the superior live performances compared to the studio originals.

LP Catalogue Numbers

UK release: CLASS 1

US release: Charisma CAS-1666

COUNTRY VARIANTS

• Vinyl Record, LP — Charisma — CLASS 1 UK — 1973

• Vinyl Record, LP, large Mad Hatter label Charisma — CAS-1666 — US — 1973

• Vinyl Record, LP, pink scroll label — Charisma — CAS-1666 — US — 1973

• Vinyl Record, LP, small Mad Hatter label Charisma — CAS-1666 — US — 1974

• Vinyl Record, LP — Atlantic — 81855-1 US — 1982

2009 CD Release

• Watcher of the Skies — 8:39

• Get 'Em Out by Friday — 9:08

• The Return of the Giant Hogweed — 8:32

• The Musical Box — 10:34

• The Knife — 9:48

Bonus tracks (2009 reissue)

• Back in N.Y.C. — 6:09

• Fly on a Windshield — 2:54

• Broadway Melody of 1974 — 2:18

• Anyway — 3:33

• The Chamber of 32 Doors — 5:58

Personnel

Genesis

Peter Gabriel Lead vocals, flute, tambourine, bass drum

Tony Banks Hammond organ, Mellotron, Hohner Pianet, 12-string guitar, backing vocals

Steve Hackett Lead guitar

Mike Rutherford Bass guitar, Dewtron “Mister Bassman” bass pedal synthesizer, 12-string guitar, backing vocals

Phil Collins Drums, percussion, backing vocals

Additional Personnel

Technical

Genesis – production, mixing

John Burns – production, mixing

Bob Gruen – front photograph

Charts Chart (1973) — Peak Position UK Albums (Official Charts) — 9

US Billboard 200 — 105

SOURCES Discogs, 45 World, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts, Prince Vault, Sleeveographia2

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