Back Tracks: Genesis

Continuing with our Rock and Roll Hall of Fame pre-coverage, we have the first of five catalogue overviews from our artist inductees.

Genesis is one of many bands without a definitive entry point into their catalogue. As a five piece outfit composed of Peter Gabriel, Steve Hackett, Tony Banks, Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins through the early 1970s, the band put out some delightful prog-rock that was surprisingly accessible. (Considering that their live sets consisted of twenty-minute jams and costume changes, that’s saying something.)

At the height of their popularity (prog-ularity?) within that audience, Gabriel embarked on a solo career, and drummer Collins took vocal duties for the band. Those of you with even a passing knowledge of Phil Collins’ sound know that he’s not much of a prog guy. And gradually, Genesis became a pop band – a surprisingly potent, well-liked one – although the transition cost them guitarist Hackett’s tenure and the derision from a lot of their older fans who weren’t used to gated drums and the Phoenix Horns.

Gradually, even the popularity of Genesis Mk. II began to wane, and despite an attempted revival in 1997 (with Banks, Rutherford and Ray Wilson on lead vocals), Genesis more or less called it quits by the end of the millennium. Fortunately, they used their retirement years to focus on maintaining a back catalogue presence that was rather thorough, if not universally beloved by hardcore fans. Follow the jump for a look at some of the most notable Genesis reissues and box sets over the years.

News Round-Up: Meet The Supremes (Again), Costello Clues and More Stones

• Amazon has posted the track list for Hip-o Select’s upcoming deluxe reissue of Meet The Supremes before Hip-o Select actually did. Read it here and expect an analysis here soon.
• It seems that Japan is getting a SHM-CD release of Live at Winterland, San Francisco by Elvis Costello and The Attractions in June. It’ll be out on Universal, but not part of The Costello Show series of live material. Will it end up part of the series in America? Doubtful, since the show was recorded only a few days after Live at Hollywood High – but you never know.
• If you’ve picked up the latest issue of Rolling Stone (whoever you are), you may have read the lead news story on the upcoming Exile on Main St. reissue. If not, the article hasn’t surfaced online but the Q&As with Mick Jagger and Keith Richards which made up much of the piece can be read here.
• Better late than never: the CD/DVD deluxe edition of Whitesnake’s self-titled 1987 LP (the one with “Here I Go Again”) released in Europe for the album’s 20th anniversary in 2007 is getting a release Stateside on April 20.