Pros
01. The quality of the audio ( a direct and mixed feed from the board) perfectly represents the late 80's Gabriel. The chorused guitars of David Rhodes JC-120's is thick with texture and aural sheen and Levin's percussive spikes shine in the mix. While not a particularly jaw dropping 5.1 mix, the audio is solid.
02. This is Gabriel riding his largest commercial offering, and the band (and ecstatic crowd) are clearly enjoying themselves.
03. This show is a beautiful document of a live performance, and not an excuse for a director to show off quick cuts and/or ill conceived video effects. The post production's visual restraint, particularly for this era, is admirable.
04. A very solid Blu Ray interface.
Cons
01. The clear vocal overdubbing, either from other shows or studio, is very disappointing. While it does not ruin the performance, the overdubs and layering do create a false sense of "authenticity".
02. FILE UNDER SUBJECTIVE: I am 48 years old and was a huge fan of Gabriel and early Genesis. I've seen every one of his tours. He was a major part of my musical education in the 80's. I still adore the man.
But...I am saddened that this is the tour that was documented this expertly, primarily because it is So where Gabriel stripped away many of the odd- ball /strange qualities of his persona, opting for other modes of expression that I, ultimately, find pedestrian. The pop culture 80's were, in many ways, an absolute nightmare of aesthetic choices, and this video represents them all.
Many hail this band as Gabriel at his "tightest", and I agree, they are almost retentive, but also I lament many of the musical choices made: from Levin's ridiculous "Funk Fingers" to Manu's insistence to put drum fills, well, everywhere. This is the tour where Gabriel brought on the cheese. I don't begrudge him his success (for it was So that changed everything for him) but I do lament many of the musical choices he made and the directions he took. It's a selfish, and a bit unfair criticism to be sure, but music (in many ways) is a selfish experience. I didn't hate So, but this performance reminded me why I didn't like it.
The performance is also ripe with silly dancing, that is now cringeworthy and embarrassing, and some truly awkward choreographed interplay between the musicians. Also, if one can find a more horrific version of "Games Without Frontiers" I'd like to hear it.
Conclusion
So yeah, take this review for what it's worth. If you are a die hard Gabriel fan, this is probably the best live document of 80's era Gabriel that exists, and , on those terms alone, is worth the ticket price. His voice here (studio overdub or not) is in fine form, and the band is unique and very solid.
But, if like me, So was the beginning of the end of your love affair with the mans music, this Blu-Ray will be nothing but a sad reminder of what went wrong. This Blu-Ray should be called Gabriel's Growing Pains, for it exists in a strange in-between place of his older work and his then new "confessional" self (and heavy handed modern productions). While I was hoping that any exposure of 80's Gabriel would make me happily nostalgic, this transitional performance only tarnished my memories.
But that's ok! I can just put on his 3rd album and all is right with the world again!
Oh well, this wine did not age well in my cellar. Shit happens!
6 of 10