Live 1973-2007 [Box]

Performer: Genesis
Distributor: WEA (Distributor)

Notes: The last in a series of four deluxe box sets reissuing the entirety of Genesis' catalog (excepting their all-but-disowned debut recordings, produced by Jonathan King), LIVE 1973-2007 contains four of the group's five live albums -- 1973's LIVE, 1977's SECONDS OUT, 1982's THREE SIDES LIVE, and both volumes of 1992's GENESIS LIVE: THE WAY WE WALK, sequencing the two into concert order -- adding an empty slot for 2007's LIVE OVER EUROPE, which is not included in this set. A lot of this will be a dream-come-true, omissions aside, for longtime fans. The last in a series of four deluxe box sets reissuing the entirety of Genesis' catalog, Live 1973-2007 contains four of the group's five live albums -- 1973's Live, 1977's Seconds Out, 1982's Three Sides Live, and both volumes of 1992's Genesis Live: The Way We Walk, sequencing the two into concert order -- adding an empty slot for 2007's Live Over Europe, which was not included in this set. As a reflection of the shifting times, Live 1973-2007 doesn't have as many high-resolution audio options as the previous box sets, with only Live, Seconds Out, and Live at the Rainbow 1973 -- the latter a bonus in the form of the first official release of an early live concert that has been heavily bootlegged and excerpted on previous Genesis archival releases -- presented in DVDs with 5.1 Surround Sound (Three Sides Live and The Way We Walk are just CDs). Apart from this notable exception, this box maintains the high quality of the rest of the series right down to that excellent bonus disc from the Rainbow. While there isn't as much video material as the previous three box sets and some will (justifiably) bristle at the lack of 5.1 mixes, this nevertheless remains a fine conclusion to this excellent reissue series. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine