Genesis: the revelations.

When looking for a name for their group (and they found none) the future-genesis could possibly have been be called "Chartterhouse". This is the name of the school where they were posh school and this place will be of paramount importance for the genesis of the group.

I was a little afraid to come across a book a bit too conciliatory, genre writing a press officer, idealistic and soothing. It is not so very British and despite their education, waffling is not part of the habits of the group. This book is what is commonly called a "beautiful book" imposing size, beautiful paper, rare photographs, neat graphics.

It is a kind of biography, but only based on actual interviews with members of the group or people from their direct environment (producers, additional musicians, roadies, managers, secretaries, etc ...). All members of the groups, even the first unknown drummers are presented here and I found it quite fair play on the part of members "official" group.

The testimony of Anthony Phillips, lead guitarist are very interesting and one wonders what turn would have taken the band's history if he had not left because of jitters and illness. Certainly an important defection as Peter Gabriel, Steve Hackett and Phil Collins.

Moreover, these successive departures are quite amazing and we must recognize that some groups would have survived such a turbulent history. The book is more focused on the first period (Gabriel) which is my favorite, and that's good. Phil Collins The time is not left but the "historic" side is less acute (normal for a band called Genesis).

Some anecdotes are crisp: Tony Banks do not like "The Lamb," for him the second disc is less good and downright feeble fourth face or missed! What give grist to fundamentalist fan ... Note also the coldness and even animosity between Steve Hackett and Tony Banks (look for a picture where they are side by side? You will not find one!).

The evidence is mainly focused on the human and relational side, we understand better afterwards reasons for departures from Hackett and Gabriel (lack of interest in the works of the first media exposure for the second).

Genesis has not survived from Collins (despite the original nucleus Rutherford Banks), but by dint of denying its origins it is clear that the backlash was violent.

A very good book, then, this group was one of the pillar of rock-music, despite its style (too?) British, theatrical and at times a bit reactionary (Yow, not on the head!) But at a time or originality was not a blemish.