Search - Genesis :: Live the Way We Walk Vol I

Genesis' 1992 tour gets documented Part One

Terrence J. Reardon | Lake Worth (a west Palm Beach suburb), FL | 04/13/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Genesis' 18th album entitled The Way We Walk Volume One (The Shorts) was released in November of 1992.

This live album was recorded on different dates on the band's Invisible Touch and We Can't Dance tours in 1986/87 and 1992 respectively.

The first of this two-part series of live albums from the height of the band's peak of popularity as a three piece (lead singer/drummer Phil Collins, guitarist/bass player Mike Rutherford and keyboard player Tony Banks (plus help from drummer Chester Thompson and guitarist/bass player Daryl Stuermer in concert)) focuses on the band's hit singles from 1983-1992 and the songs are, in most cases, superior to their studio recording counterparts.

We begin with a great version of "Land Of Confusion" which was recorded on the WCD tour. Next is an excellent version of "No Son Of Mine" which rivals its studio counterpart. We then follow with an excellent version of "Jesus He Knows Me" which features fiery guitar work from Stuermer and Phil's mocking of the evangelists towards song's end (shame that the full intro where he talked about the shadiness of preachers (and mocking of a few) was deleted). Next, we go back to the Invisible Touch tour for an excellent version of "Throwing It All Away" recorded at Wembley Stadium in 1987. Then we go forwards in time back to the We Can't Dance tour for a great reading of "I Can't Dance".

We then go back to the Invisible Touch tour for "Mama" which is the same version as on the Wembley DVD. Then we head back to the WCD tour for "Hold On My Heart" which is a great version. The next two tracks come from the Invisible Touch tour. First is "That's All" recorded at Wembley Stadium. Then it's "In Too Deep" recorded in Los Angeles on the Invisible Touch tour (was dropped from the 1987 leg). We close with the medley of "Tonight, Tonight, Tonight" and "Invisible Touch" from the WCD tour which was a great closer before the "Turn It On Again" encore (which was not on either part of this live album series).

The Way We Walk - The Shorts reached #35 in the US and became the last Genesis album to go Gold in the U.S. of A. (until the Turn It On Again - The Hits collection).

Recommended for all Genesis fans!"

Poor sound quality and muted performance

kireviewer | Sunnyvale, Ca United States | 11/28/2008

(2 out of 5 stars)

"ONLY COLLINS GETS INTO IT.



As you probably know, there are two CD's released from the We Can't Dance concert tour, We Can't Dance, The Shorts and The Longs. Most of the songs from this tour came from the three previous albums, "Genesis", "Invisible Touch" and "We Can't Dance".



This biggest problem with the CD set is the sound quality. Early CD's tended to have poor sound, but by 1992, when this was released, the sound quality had improved greatly.



The problem with the sound is that it is muted with limited dynamic range. It is poorly mixed with the band sounding deep in the background. The only plus side is that the audience noise is kept to a minimum (although some people like to hear the screaming fans of the music and the whistles in the middle of a solo).



The band does not sound like it is in it, but some of that may be to the poor mix. During the songs on The Shorts, no one in the band breaks out or does anything interesting. I think the studio versions are much better and much more alive than these tracks.



The only one who does break out is Phil Collins. He really gets into a few of the songs. But, unfortunately, he gets little support (or that support is just mixed too far back to be heard).



In the end, this comes out as a poor quality greatest hits CD.



Compare this CD to the other live Genesis CD's, especially Seconds Out. On those CD's the music is alive and vibrant. I have other live tapes of Collins lead Genesis concerts that are sensational. Colins can be very entertaining and charismatic and the band can play some stunning music. None of that comes through on this CD.



This CD might benefit greatly from remastering. Genesis has always had problems with sound quality on their releases. Their early LP's on the Charisma label always had defects and pops. I actually bought these on cassette, hoping for a better listening experience. Of course, there were no crackles and pops, but the sound quality was not up to LP standards. The release of their catalog had all the problems of the 1980's CD releases. The transfer to digital was poorly done and the sound was muted. Now many of them are available in a remastered version."