Progressive rock music discography & reviews (original) (raw)

Review N� 835

"The Way We Walk, Volume One - The Shorts" is the fourth live album of Genesis and that was released in 1992. It's a compilation of songs performed live on two different live tours and in several locations. Eight songs were from the "We Can't Dance" tour, in 1992 and the remaining three songs were from the "Invisible Touch" tour, in 1986 and 1987.

"The Way We Walk, Volume One - The Shorts" was followed in the following year by another compilation album, their road companion and fifth live album "The Way We Walk, Volume Two - The Longs". However, while "The Way We Walk, Volume One - The Shorts" was totally focused on their short and most commercial songs, "The Way We Walk, Volume Two - The Longs" was, as its name indicates, entirely focused on the lengthier, less commercial and most prog stracks.

The shared title that is common on these both live releases is a clear reference to the phrase "the way I walk", which appears in the lyrics of two different songs of the band, "I Can't Dance" that appeared on "The Way We Walk, Volume One ? The Shorts" and "I Know What I Like" that appeared on "The Way We Walk, Volume Two - The Longs".

"The Way We Walk, Volume One - The Shorts" has eleven tracks. "Land Of Confusion" was originally released on "Invisible Touch". It was taken from the "We Can't Dance" live tour. It was recorded in Niedersachenstation, Hanover, Germany. "No Son Of Mine" was originally released on "We Can't Dance". It was taken from the "We Can't Dance" live tour. It was recorded in Niedersachenstation, Hanover, Germany. "Jesus He Knows Me" was originally released on "We Can't Dance". It was taken from the "We Can't Dance" live tour. It was recorded in Niedersachenstation, Hanover, Germany. "Throwing It All Away" was originally released on "Invisible Touch". It was taken from the "We Can't Dance" live tour. It was recorded in two different places, Knebworth Park, Stevenage, UK and Niedersachenstation, Hanover, Germany. "I Can't Dance" was originally released on "We Can't Dance". It was taken from the "We Can't Dance" live tour. It was recorded in Niedersachenstation, Hanover, Germany. "Mama" was originally released on "Genesis". It was taken from the "Invisible Touch" live tour. It was recorded in the Wembley Stadium, London, UK. "Hold On My Heart" was originally released on "We Can't Dance". It was taken from the "We Can't Dance" live tour. It was recorded in Niedersachenstation, Hanover, Germany. "That's All" was originally released on "Genesis". It was taken from the "Invisible Touch" live tour. It was recorded in the Wembley Stadium, London, UK. "In Too Deep" was originally released on "Invisible Touch". It was taken from the "Invisible Touch" live tour. It was recorded in L.A. Forum, Inglewood, CA, USA. "Tonight, Tonight, Tonight" was originally released on "Invisible Touch". It was taken from the "We Can't Dance" live tour. It was recorded in Niedersachenstation, Hanover, Germany. "Invisible Touch" was originally released on "Invisible Touch". It was taken from the "We Can't Dance" live tour. It was recorded in Niedersachenstation, Hanover, Germany.

"The Way We Walk, Volume One - The Shorts" is a collection of some of Genesis' most recognizable songs. The track list opens with the strong and energetic "Land Of Confusion". It's a song of the 80's that concern the relations between the USA and Russia. As for me, the message is still relevant and fits in with the present. "Mama" and "No Son Of Mine" also touches upon difficult topics, such as, toxic relationships, domestic violence, and the character of the tyrant father are commonplace. In the live versions both tracks sound really great. "Jesus He Knows Me" is another big hit to hit the album. Probably everyone knows this dynamic keyboard and guitar intro and can hum at least a fragment of the song. "I Can't Dance" has a great, humorous and slightly bluesy feel and "Invisible Touch" is an absolute hit for many people. In this live version, it sounds great, especially because Collins allowed himself to improvise in the end. The album also includes slightly calmer songs, such as "Throwing It All Away", "Hold On My Heart" and "In Too Deep". Some romantic music with heart warming lyrics are certainly material for a hit in contrast with the more energetic and strong songs.

Conclusion: "The Way We Walk, Volume One - The Shorts" is, in general, a good live compilation album of Genesis, despite being only focused on some of their short and most commercial material. Who usually read my reviews knows that I'm a big Genesis' fan and that I love especially, their music from Gabriel and Hackett's era. They also know that I like very much of some of their later songs, especially their lengthy and most progressive songs. However, there are some short songs that I love, especially when they're performed live. So, "The Way We Walk, Volume One - The Shorts" has some very good musical moments like "Land Of Confusion", "No Son Of Mine", "Mama" and "Tonight, Tonight, Tonight". Of course it has also some songs like "Hold On My Heart" and "In Too Deep" that should never be part of the Genesis' catalogue but only of Phil Collins' catalogue. However, I'm convinced that "The Way We Walk, Volume One - The Shorts" is, in general, a good and nice selection of songs, very well performed and pleasant enough to be heard.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)