“L’Ange Gabriel” Live in concert at Montreal University Sports Centre 21st April 1974. Bootleg reviewed by Alan Hewitt.

Well, in time for the Selling England By The Pound part of Peter’s history of the band comes a classic recording from that tour on compact disc. It is the show from the band’s concert at Montreal in 1974. Originally only available as a bootleg under the title of “L’ Ange Gabriel” this recording features the entire set that was played at the show whereas the LP only had four tracks.

Like its predecessor (see earlier review in this edition) the original sound recording from the radio has been used and as such it is marvellous to hear the show without any of the usual crackles etc. The whole thing is also well packaged with a full colour cover and interior colour shot. The show opens with Watcher Of The Skies and rapidly moves through the grandeur of Dancing With The Moonlit Knight and Cinema Show, both introduced by Peter in his best “Franglais”

It is curious to think that it has only recently been possible to obtain footage of this show on video and watching it while listening to the CD on hi fi quality is almost (but not quite) as good as being at the gig.

Things move rapidly through Firth Of Fifth and The Musical Box before moving on to the simple beauty of Horizons and The Battle Of Epping Forest and the masterpiece that is Supper’s Ready. No effort has been spared in presenting the concert in as near to perfect quality as possible and I think this particular CD can be considered as the version of “Genesis Live” that the fans should have been given rather than the edited highlights that were eventually used.

To round off the disc, there are three tracks from the BBC radio John Peel session of 1972: Stagnation/Get ’Em Out By Friday and Twilight Alehouse which make an added bonus to an already excellent recording. In the UK the double CD retails at £30 but it is also available on double LP for between £15 and £20.