A Genesis Extravaganza: The Musical Box in Vancouver (April 9, 2019)

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The best part of the show was Act III. Acts I and II felt much less energetic than the actual Genesis originals, most of which I have heard the real Genesis play live. Out of that lot, “Lilywhite Lilith” came across the best.

Not until Act III did the band progressively pour it on, with more and more energy with each song, making the concert a consistent crescendo into the encore finale. My favorites were everything from “Can-Utility and the Coastliners” to the end.

Also, “Cinema Show” was so good that as result “Aisle of Plenty” felt especially emotionally moving as I pondered the magnificent artistic legacy of Genesis.

The band likes to sit down a lot, and has pretty given up on costumes, other than a leather jacket for Rael, and the fox head and red dress for the very end of “The Musical Box.” I was underwhelmed in Acts I and II but then Act III redeemed the evening for me, as they poured on the jets.

In the end, I am reminded just how great Genesis is and how unrepeatable they are, despite those who would try to imitate as best they can. It’s sincere flattery, but perhaps Andy Tillison summed it up best on the last track of The Tangent’s Proxy: all the other bands are skint.

Act I: The Wind’s Tail
In That Quiet Earth / Robbery, Assault, and Battery / Wot Gorilla?
Blood on the Rooftops
Dance on a Volcano
Entangled (Ending Part)
Los Endos

Act II: Broadway Melodies
Fly on a Windshield
Broadway Melody of 1974
In the Cage
Back in N.Y.C.
Hairless Heart
Counting Out Time
The Carpet Crawlers
Lilywhite Lilith
The Waiting Room (Ending Part)

Act III: Before The Ordeal
A Place to Call My Own
Time Table
Seven Stones
Can-Utility and the Coastliners
Looking for Someone
Firth of Fifth
After the Ordeal
The Cinema Show
Aisle of Plenty

Encore:
The Musical Box

One thought on “A Genesis Extravaganza: The Musical Box in Vancouver (April 9, 2019)

  1. kruekutt

    Having seen them in Grand Rapids a few weeks back, I’d agree with your overall assessment. The Trick of the Tail/W&W songs were a pleasant novelty, but didn’t have much energy, and the Lamb medley just didn’t get untracked. Given that a good chunk of Act III was never or rarely performed back in the day, it would have won by default — but the band definitely poured it on for that set.

    Full disclosure: I saw the complete Lamb show maybe 5 years back, and was blown away that night. That & last year’s fine Selling England show were far better than this go-round. TMB seem to be far better at “liturgical reconstructions” of Genesis shows past than forging their own tribute band identity.

    Liked by 1 person

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