In the Beginning [Extra tracks]

Genesis | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 9, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 1968
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks
• Label: Fallout
• ASIN: B000RHK11O
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #130,693 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Angeline

2. Suzanne

3. Gloomy Sunday

4. What's It All About?

5. Mary, Mary

6. Ten Second Song

7. Girl Who Never Was

8. World Without You

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A totally different Genesis, great West Coast psych, June 29, 2009

By 

BENJAMIN MILER (Veneta, Oregon) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: In the Beginning (Audio CD)

This is certain for confusion. Most of you are aware of In the Beginning as one of the million and one reissues of the first Genesis album, From Genesis to Revelation. I'm of course, referring to the British band, who at that time had Peter Gabriel, and Phil Collins was yet to be a member. But there was a late '60s American band calling themselves Genesis, and they too released an album called In the Beginning, on the Mercury label.

This particular disc is indeed the American band, and if you get any other version with a different cover and it features songs like "Where the Sour Turns to Sweet", "The Serpent", "Fireside Song", "In the Wilderness", etc. you got the one from the well-known British band.

This American band is truly a lost gem of West Coast psychedelia. Apparently they're from Los Angeles, but has more in common with the San Francisco sound, and it sounds nothing like the British band. The music is closer to Jefferson Airplane, with male and female vocals, with the usual setup of vocals, guitars, bass, and drums. Songs include "Mary, Mary", a cover of Leonard Cohen's "Suzanne", "Ten Second Song" (which is hardly ten seconds long, but around 3 minutes long), and the 16 minute "World Without You" that includes an extended guitar jam, doing what many Bay Area bands, like Quicksilver Messenger Service, Moby Grape, and the Grateful Dead, were doing at the same time.

It's funny how I ran across three bands with the name Genesis. The British band, of course. Then there's a band from Uruguay called Genesis (actually Génesis) that made some great hard rock and psych in the early '70s. Then there's this American band. In fact apparently it was this American band that caused legal trouble with the British band, as original copies of the British band's debut simply said "From Genesis to Revelation" with no mention of the band name (but since the American band was quickly forgotten, the British band's second album, Trespass clearly stated "Genesis"). It was also why sales of From Genesis to Revelation was doomed: because record dealers didn't know how to file them and filed them under "Religious". As for the American band, it was an endless source of confusion, especially after 1974 when In the Beginning was used for the reissue of From Genesis to Revelation. Imagine buyers expecting to hear Peter Gabriel and instead getting Jefferson Airplane-like psych!

As mentioned, it's completely different from the well-known Genesis, and for all who enjoy West Coast psychedelia, you really can't go wrong here.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Vintage Californian psychedelia, April 15, 2011

By 

Golovanov Alexey (Limassol, Cyprus) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: In the Beginning (Audio CD)

This is not unknown album by British prog-rockers, and there is no Gabriel or Phil Collins on it, - it's just a great album by forgotten band from California. An absolutely amazing mix of acid, hard rock, folk with prog tendencies, featuring heavy enough "Angeline", 16-minutes long "World Without You" and beautiful version of Cohen's "Suzanne". Good guitars, flute, rich orchestration and flawless male/female vocal harmonies - Sue Richman reminds Grace Slick, but more calm, self-confident, less neurotic, and singing without effort.I would say that under different circumstances "Genesis" should be as big as "Jefferson", and maybe bigger...

The roots of "Genesis" goes deep into the 60s - it's founder, Jack Ttanna (vocals, rhythm) was with legendary "Sons of Adam",which showcased Randy Holden (of Blue Cheer fame, listen to "Sons" on Early Works 1964-1966) and Michael Stuart (of "Love"). Kent Henry (lead guitarist of "Genesis") later on joined Steppenwolf. By the end of the 60s the band relocated to Los Angeles, and in 1969 recorded 8-track debut album for "Mercury" - a true gem of mature psychedelia.

This CD is a bootleg by "Fallout" (a clone of "Radioactive"), somehow I cannot get rid of an impression that it is converted from vinyl.

However, the more I listen to it, the more I like it

I would recommend not to miss also Floating Opera and excellent re-issue ofFlashes (Exp)

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hot guitar work, great songs, November 23, 2009

By 

Kevin D. Rathert (Carbondale, IL) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: In the Beginning (Audio CD)

Genesis, fronted by female vocalist Sue Richman and rhythm guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Jack Ttanna. late of West Coast pscyh legends Sons of Adam, and fueled by the lead guitar work of Kent Henry, later of Steppenwolf, recorded but one lp, the heavy guitar laden classic "In The Beginning." The album is released here in its first official cd release, joined by the ultra-rare post-lp track "The Long Road." Henry's guitar work shines throughout, as do Ttanna's songs. The album closes with the band's 16 minute epic "World Without You" full of Henry's guitar work and the band running with throttle open. Another of the lost gems of the late 1960s, "In The Beginning" is essential to collector's of psychedelic rock. This may not be one of the 10 best psych albums of all time, but it is well above average, Henry's guitar work alone making the cd worth the asking price. The inclusion of the rare bonus track, and the low price from drop shippers make this an absolute must. Shop around, find a bargain price, and prepare to take off with a band that at times is reminiscent of the Airplane and Steppenwolf among others. One listen and you'll agree, Kent Henry was a much underrated guitarist, and Ttanna's songs are consistent. Two big thumbs up on this one.