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When In Rome 2007Genesis
When word leaked out that Genesis was reforming, speculation as to which lineup was slated to come back was rampant all over fan web sites and message boards. Most hoped for a full-scale Genesis reunion with the classic early 70s lineup — Tony Banks, Phil Collins, Mike Rutherford, Peter Gabriel and Steve Hackett. In fact, Collins said during an April 2006 radio interview that the five had met to discuss the possibility of getting back together. The actual reunion that took place featured only Rutherford, Banks and Collins, the combination responsible for Genesis’ commercial success of the 80s and early 90s. Now, after wrapping a massively successful worldwide tour, Genesis rolls the dice with When In Rome 2007, a triple DVD packed full of goodies and extras that fans of any of the lineups will feel like they’ve died and gone to heaven. The first two discs capture an entire two and half hour concert filmed before a half-million people in Rome on July 14, 2007 with veteran director David Mallet calling the shots. Hits like “Land Of Confusion” and “Turn It On Again” pepper the evening’s set list, but Banks, Collins and Rutherford (along with guitarist Darryl Steurmer and drummer Chester Thompson) also stroll down Memory Lane to revisit early 70s pieces such as “Los Endos” and “Carpet Crawlers.” The stage production includes an incredible light show (a Genesis trademark), fireworks, and the largest LCD screen ever used at a concert, spanning nearly 210 feet. I could do without the audience participation numbers, which find Collins working the crowd like Mick Jagger and falling flat on his face. For as great a singer as Collins is, he doesn’t quite cut the figure of a charismatic frontman, especially when making those impish, Mr. Magoo faces. Fortunately, his in-between-song raps Italian and solid drumming keeps him in good stead with the Italians. Along with the concert, When In Rome 2007 includes photo galleries, deleted scenes, rehearsal footage, and photographic reproductions of tour programs. The third disc contains Come Rain Or Shine, a documentary filmed by Anthony Mathile covering the entire 2007 tour — from the planning stages in 2006 to the show in Rome. You also get all the juice, be it Collins’ percussional refinements culminating with the lost art of stool drumming to up-to-the-last minute timing issues with the video. In the end, as the band finishes up a few rain-soaked evening sets, the date in Rome looms over the horizon, a peak performance of one of the decade’s most anticipated tours. ~ Shawn Perry
©Copyright 1997, 2008 Vintage Rock
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