Customer Reviews

WHEN IN ROME 2007

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Yes, I truly believe that this IS IT....the chances of this band, in any form, reuniting again is so slim that we'll probably see Bill Clinton in the White House again before these guys Tour or record ever again. Indeed, watching this document of the last ever Genesis Tour is a sad event....4 (or is it 5!) decades of absolutely GREAT tunes....wonderful personel and commraderie through the years....and, maybe, one of the most profound musical careers of our times. Yes, I will certainly miss this "Family" of guys---maybe more so than any other band or group of people. The good news, for us TRUE fans, is that they decided to give us what I have just watched, AND, will watch many, many more times to come....'When in Rome'. This DVD package is as good as anyone could hope for; Great songlist, Great quality sound and video and the usual outstanding musicianship onstage.

The setlist includes what may be the most comprehensive set of songs the band has ever toured with. Of course there are the 'usual suspects' such as 'Turn it on', 'AfterGlow', 'Invisible Touch', Etc., But there are also several that we haven't heard since the 'Duke' Era ----'Ripples', 'Carpet Crawlers' and 'Los Endos'. Is it THE set I would have picked? NO....but, it was a good move by the guys to "cater" to a very, VERY large range of concertgoers. Don't be swayed by comments that are being made concerning the tour----"lowered key/ pitch makes songs unlistenable"...."Old guys simply going through the motions", Etc. Personally the songs being lowered in Key for the sake of vocals made NO difference to me and was probably the difference between Phil "choking" parts and the smooth delivery we get here....Phil, as usual, nails his parts. As for some saying these guys are uninspired on stage, I totally disagree...All songs were played with passion and prescision. These guys have never been a "showboat" band, and they make no bones about their age. That said, don't expect any David Lee Roth jumping splits or high kicks (although Phil's tambourine solo on "I know what I Like" is quite impressive!). As with most progressive bands, these guys are focused on one important element on this DVD----to replicate their music for the masses....this is no "Old Time Rock and Roll" here, this is very involved music that requires concentration from the members.

Another nice aspect of this package/ show is the sound and stage. The audio and video is the best I've seen on any Genesis release. Very clear picture and sound throughout the show, with good camera angles and everyone getting their fair share of the lens. Thats not to say it isn't without its faults....there are times when the massive lighting casts overbearing colors on the band....very red and green in certain spots. Also there are a handful of times when Tony's keys are too "upfront" in the mix, as well as some strange harmonics(for lack of a better way to describe) that eminates from the synths from time to time, but none of what I mention above distracts from the overall show. I would also give special mention to the awesome stage for this tour.....Genesis has always had groundbreaking lights and backdrops, but this is massive! Only Pink Floyd's 'Pulse' stage comes close. When I first saw the cover for 'When in Rome' I questioned the unsymetrical, almost "hokey" look of the stage....well, after viewing the DVD, I can see how it all fits together for one of the most spectacular stage/light shows that one is likely to encounter. There are at least 3 or 4 times during the show where the lights and video backdrop are almost as intense as the music being played....if 'In the Cage' doesn't raise the hairs, you might be dead!

So, all-in-all, this is probably the best we'll get from this great band....the show is certainly worthy, as well as the DVD documentary and extras included. Even if the band releases vault material such as 'Seconds Out' or 'The Lamb', it will never sound and look as good as 'When in Rome' (although an official 'SO' concert DVD would put me in Heaven!). In closing I would also like to throw out some opinions, since this may be the last review I write for a Genesis product. I have loved ALL incarnations of this band....early, experimental Gabriel era, as well as the prog-pop efforts of Phil and Ray Watson led Genesis. There are (and will always be) Gabriel-era "purists" who scowl at anything released after 'The Lamb', however, I can confidently say that EVERY album has somthing special and extraordinary....and YES, even moments of pure Progressive bliss! As matter of fact, I find myself reaching for 'We Can't Dance' or 'And Then There Were Three' more often than 'Nursery Chryme' or 'Lamb'. Some of the older albums simply didn't age well. That said, I will say that Peter leaving the band and Phil taking center stage was the best thing that could have happened to Genesis....otherwise they may have died a worse death than Gentle Giant, Focus and Camel. Phil, nor Genesis ever sold out musically(though they may have sold-out to Wal-mart!)....they remained musically significant till the end, and, quite frankly, you'll likely hear 'Throwing it All Away' or 'ABACAB' well into the future----will you hear 'Watcher of the Skies'....I doubt it....as much as I would like to. At any rate, if you are a fan of this band, don't think twice about picking this up....it really is a worthy memoir in every respect. Thanks, Genesis, for the wonderful music and memories....your music will never stray far from my life.

First of all let me start by saying that I seen Genesis Live in Auburn Hills Mi. It was a great show both in sound quality and visual production. This DVD recreates the event. Stunning picture qulity combined with the great stage show makes this DVD a pleasure to watch. The sound qulity is excellent as well. This DVD is worth every penny of the 20.00 I paid for it at Walmarts. Now to the downsides. Watching Phil stumble around reading Italian from a sheet of paper takes away from the show. Translate the English into Italian on the Huge screen behind the stage would have been much better. Secondly This is a live concert in front of 100,000 people. They either washed out all the cheering crowd or 100,000 Italians don't make a lot of noise. Lastly I wished they would have made use of multiple camera angles as they did on The Way We Walk Concert. It would have been so much better. THere were so many cool camera angles in this DVD however you only got seconds to actually enjoy them before they switched to a different one. That is probibly the biggest disappointment with this DVD. All in all I still give it 4 stars.

Here is the information about this 3 DVD set from the manufacturer:

The legendary three-man line-up of Genesis - Tony Banks, Phil Collins and Mike Rutherford - reunited after fifteen years to stage one of 2007's most successful tours, playing stadiums and arenas to sold-out crowds in Europe and North America. The European leg of the Turn It On Again Tour concluded with a free, open-air concert at Rome's historic Circo Massimo on July 14, 2007 before some 500,000 fans. All its glory is captured on WHEN IN ROME 2007, a new 3-DVD set from Rhino.


Disc 1 and Disc 2 of WHEN IN ROME 2007 present the entire 2-hour and 36-minute tour finale spectacle, which award-winning director David Mallet (U2: Zoo TV Live From Sidney, Madonna: Blond Ambition World Tour, etc) filmed with a state-of-the-art multiple camera shoot. The show spans Genesis hits such as "Land Of Confusion," "Mama," "Invisible Touch" and "Tonight, Tonight, Tonight" plus classic older repertoire including "Los Endos," "Carpet Crawlers" and "Ripples." Each concert track gives viewers links to access bonus visual extras, and the first two discs also feature photo galleries, deleted scenes and reproductions of tour programs.


The epic concert is a showcase for the classic Genesis power trio configuration of Banks, Collins and Rutherford - along with longtime sidemen Chester Thompson (drums) and Daryl Stuermer (guitar) - as well as the Turn It On Again Tour's stunning stage production, which included the largest screen ever used at a concert (nearly 210 feet). During the tour, Genesis played to a staggering 1.4 million fans at 22 European dates before heading to North America to play 25 more dates.


Disc 3 features the nearly two-hour documentary Come Rain Or Shine, a fascinating fly-on-the-wall glimpse into the dynamics of life on the road and the myriad issues involved with putting a legendary supergroup on tour for the first time in 15 years. Filmed by Anthony Mathile, it covers the proceedings - with frankness and humor - from the earliest planning stages in 2006 to Genesis' Circo Massimo date presented on Discs 1 & 2.


Packaged in a deluxe slipcase box, the DVD digipak of WHEN IN ROME 2007 also includes an extensive 28-page booklet


Color +/- 5 hours and 37 minutes

The long awaited release of the live DVD "When In Rome" has been reported to be May 27th in the states, and if you go onto the official Genesis site, they have it for pre-order as the release date being June 10th. It's to be a 3-DVD set. 2 DVD's for the complete concert with tons of extras, and the 3rd DVD being a documentary of the tour being planned and executed. I hope that this settles everyone's interest in the DVD release. I am eagerly awaiting my copy to be delivered!!

INCREDIBLE... I SAW THE CONCERT IN 2007 ON HOLLYWOOD BOWL - LOS ÁNGELES, CALIFORNIA. THE ONLY HAPPENDS WHEN I PUT THE DVD'S ON MY DVD PLAYER, SAID: "IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE MACHINE". I CAN SEE IT IN MY COMPUTER.
¿BUT WHY IS THIS? HAVE TO CHANGE SOMETHING IN THE PLAYER? THANKS...

Overall I really enjoyed this video. The image quality, lighting, camera shots and sound quality were outstanding !! While I was a little skeptical that a band of this age could pull it off, they did in grand style. Phil Collins' voice, while not as strong as it was, was still as passionate and emotive as ever. The excitement and enthusiasm of the crowd was astonishing and could be felt as I watched the movie.

Only two criticisms, one of the movie, one of the band. As to the movie, I would have liked to have seen more special features rather than just the short behind-the-scenes vignettes. A selection of camera angles (i.e. just the drums or keyboards) would be a terrific addition as would some scenes of editing the DVD or setting up the elaborate stage and lighting display. As to the band, I would have liked a few more of the older songs and fewer of the newer one; that being said the In the Cage medley was unforgettable.

This DVD is one to get. You will not tire of watching it.

If you loved Genesis, You have to have this.
Since Phil Collins news that he physically can't play drums and tour any more this
is a great video of their last tour.
Recently inducted to the R&R Hall of Fame, another band takes it's rightful place
in music history.

I have recorded the Genesis: When in Rome HD video on my HDDVR and will not erase it until this production is offered in a "worthy" disc format, like Blu Ray. I listen/watch it frequently, as it was an amazing concert.

This is one of the few video recordings of a live concert where the images and recording quality are stellar, and my HDDVR only plays at 1080i vs 1080p. Purchasing standard DVDs just wont't cut it.

Please release this in Blu-Ray!!!

I have been a Genesis fan for years but never loved the sound quality of their work. This is such a surprise, not only is it live but to sound this good. My friend let me barrow this and after I lifted my jaw off the floor I got on my PC and ordered it from Amazon.

For all the dummies and critics who say, "Phil Collins voice isn't the same", "Tony Banks, Mike Rutherford, etc look old", "they move slower", "the tempo is a little slower". Get over yourselves! These guys are in late 50's early 60's. Phil STILL has a voice and plays drums remarkably well. When you're around 60, see if you are able to do things the exact same way you did when you were 25-30. And, if you are 55-60, shame on you for still being ignorant and not understanding "CHANGE AND LIFE". And, I'm sure you are not doing things the way you did them 30 years ago. They are all still fine musicians. Don't be stupid.