Back in 2005 rumors began spreading of a possible Genesis reunion featuring the quintessential lineup of Peter Gabriel, Steve Hackett, Tony Banks, Mike Rutherford, and Phil Collins. The band members discussed performing The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway live for a limited run of shows that would be recorded and filmed. Could it finally happen?
Unfortunately this reunion never came to fruition, but instead the ...And Then There Were Three lineup of Collins, Rutherford, and Banks, along with long time touring members Daryl Stuermer and Chester Thompson, came together for the first time in 15-years to embark on what was billed as the Turn It On Again World Tour of 2007.
When In Rome was filmed on July 14, 2007 during a free open-air concert at Rome's Circo Massimo, before an enormous crowd of nearly 500,000 people. I think it is safe to say that the Genesis fan base remains firmly in tact - no matter what lineup they are presenting. I never thought that Genesis would be able to one-up the elaborate stage show that they rolled out during their 1992 We Can't Dance Tour, which was so eloquently captured on their The Way We Walk concert DVD, but they did - and then some.
The concert kicks off in fine fashion with "Duke's Intro," a combination of "Behind The Lines" and "Duke's End." This strong opening number immediately gives you hope that this would not just be another Invisible Touch/We Can't Dance love affair like the last one was, although they were still heavily favored. "Turn It On Again," another Duke standout, follows the ambitious opener, and then Collins takes a few minutes to address the crowd - in Italian. Reading from some notes he had written down and rehearsed, Collins comes off as charming the first time around, but it soon turns annoying the next few times he bogs down the proceedings with his butchered Italian.
The stage setup for this tour was monstrous to say the least. The band is surrounded by a massive 210 foot wide curved video backdrop that provides animation and graphics throughout the show. The shape of the stage is kind of odd looking, it reminded me of a giant sperm whale, but it works well once you see the whole affect. Numerous lighting towers are strategically placed all over the stage, and they offer up one of the brightest and most colorful light shows I have ever witnessed.
Article comments
1 - Kit O'Toole
I'm glad to see that Genesis played some of the older stuff instead of simply the hits. I too liked the "Abacab" album, and don't know why they tend to ignore it in concerts. However, they did play some "Abacab" stuff on their early 80s album "Three Sides Live," which I believe is now out of print. That should be remastered and reissued.
2 - Paul Roy
Kit, I didn't realize the remastered version of Three Sides Live was out of print. I picked up my copy back in the 90's.
3 - Adrian from Argentina
I had the great luck to see this terrific band playing in Washington DC during this last tour, and let me tell you it was the best concert I ever seemed.
This DVD really captures this feeling. The video quality is amazing, since it was filmed in HD. The sound is another fantastic chapter in this production. It will blown your home theater away!!
Don't miss to have it in your collection. It's a real gem.
4 - Darek Haupt
I saw this concert today on the Palladia HD channel ( #209 comcast ) I am a long time Genesis fan who was lucky enough to see the "Lamb lies down " in NYC in 1971. With all the new audio and video technology, when I saw the concert listed as airing in 10 minutes, I could not wait. I have every Genesis, Gabriel, Rutherford CD in existence. I was very emotional during "the Cage" when Phil and Chester, two of the best drummers on the planet, played together so in sync that was insane. I will cherish ownership of this DVD.If you are fortunate to have an awesome 5.1 system, you will be blown away. TURN IT UP!