Ray and Tony in Dortmund, February 10. © Stefan Stoermer

Let's cut straight to the chase. If you are reading this review then you have probably already read some of the others. So, you know what the setlist is, you know what the stage looks like, you've heard about the acoustic bit, and the screens, and you've read descriptions of most of the songs. So I won't bother with any of that.

Since you have accessed The Path you are probably also a Genesis fan. You may also have read some less than complementary reviews in the papers - if you live in England that is. So, what you really want to know is whether the '98 version is a 'proper' Genesis show, or just a pale imitation of the original (of course for most people original means the Phil Collins version, which isn't original at all, but never mind - it's what most of us are used to). You may want to know this because you are thinking of seeing one of the shows in Europe, or because you live somewhere where there are no shows planned at the moment and you want to know what you are missing. Well, you are missing plenty.

I started listening to Genesis in 1975 and I haven't missed a tour since 1977. Since I don't live anywhere near a decent concert venue, I have also done a fair amount of travelling in the process. Every show I've seen (apart from 'Six of the Best' at Milton Keynes) has therefore been fronted by Phil Collins and I might have as much reason as anyone to give up making the effort now that he has gone. But I liked Calling All Stations, I liked Ray Wilson's voice and so made the trip to London for the Earls Court show to see how it translated into a live performance.

And what did I think? Well - and here's the message for everyone who thinks they might not enjoy a concert without Phil Collins - I thought it was so good I got home and called the Cardiff International Arena to get tickets for the next week. And so, last night I saw them again - and it was better yet.

Okay, so it looks different, it sounds different, it feels different but make no mistake; this is a Genesis concert through and through. Great sound, great visuals, flawless musicianship, power, atmosphere and a mixture of old and new songs. All this stuff about a lack humour and charisma is nonsense - if you want jokes, go to the Comedy Store.

All the songs from Calling All Stations were better than the album versions, the really old songs were given a fresh treatment which I loved, and they have one or two moments when Ray Wilson's voice sounds eerily like Peter Gabriel's. And what about those songs from the era in the middle? - the ones we all wondered about hearing from anybody's mouth but Phil's - don't worry, no problem. They are good songs and Ray is a great singer. He isn't Phil Collins, nor should he try to be. He does just fine being himself. And here is something else that might interest you old timers ... after the concert in Cardiff I got in the car to drive home, put the last live album on the CD and do you know what? It sounded weird. Ray's voice has a richness which suddenly wasn't there - and I wished it was. I put Calling All Stations on instead.

So, what's the verdict? Simple...if you get a chance to see this show, take it. Don't worry about missing Phil's voice, don't be sad that Chester and Daryl aren't playing (Nir Zidkyahu and Anthony Drennan are spectacular replacements), and don't feel any misguided loyalty to the past either ... it was great and we all loved it, but it's gone. This show is different, but it's just as good - it may even be better in some ways because the predictability which I think had crept into the last couple of tours has gone.

Earls Court was good, Cardiff was better and I think it will get even stronger as the tour goes on. If you're going to one of the shows in Europe then lucky you - I wish I were - and if you aren't sure whether to go or not, then stop thinking and get on to your local ticket agent.

Pete Ledingham

GENESIS IN CARDIFF
Written by Jeff Bending

First night was a sell out. Second night there were a few empty seats. No jumbotrons at these gigs, but as always the vari-lights were brilliant. Ray's vocals on No Son Of Mine & Land Of Confusion, the two opening numbers, were excellent.

Then Tony starts the intro to The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway, & this sounds better than ever. Maybe because it was played in it's entirety, & not just the first bit we've become used to in the medley.

The powerful Calling All Stations is next, by which time I'm convinced this line up is right. Any fears & doubts I had have been blown away.

Carpet Crawlers, brilliant!

There Must Be Some Other Way & Domino, superb, strong & full of energy. (On Thursday Alien Afternoon replaced There Must Be Some Other Way). Anthony Drennan & Nir Z, were in full control for the middle section of the Firth Of Fifth, which was followed by a weak, I thought, but wonderfully extended, Congo.

Ray then gives us a nice little intro to Home By The Sea, again, done superbly.

Now, five stools are brought onto center stage & even Tony leaves his keyboard to pick up a guitar with Mike & Anthony. Nir sits at the back with tambourine & Ray at the front to give us acoustic renditions of Dancing With The Moonlit Knight, Follow You Follow Me, Lover's Leap & Not About Us. Tremendous!

That haunting drum pattern & keyboard fills the arena, and we are into Mama. Well done Ray. It sounded really good.

Bass chords & drums fill the air. Mike & Anthony do guitar battle as we go into The Dividing Line. Words can't explain. You have got to be there. Nir's drum solo!! What Chester & Phil used to do, this guy did on his own, left me with a sore throat from screaming for more, & I'm 41. (Sad? Maybe, but extremely happy.)

Now every one is on their feet for Invisible Touch & Turn It On Again. All the waiting & worrying is over. Misplaced fears gone away as we yell for more.

Throwing It All Away & I Can't Dance are the encore numbers, & we all watch as Ray comes down off stage and picks out a young lady from the front row & takes her on stage to help him dance. (I wasn't expecting it , and I'm still not sure about it.)

Anyway, home with happy thoughts of the night, & whens the next album due?

Jeff Bending - JBending@aol.com