Congratulations to the people of Serious Music Alphen. This year they celebrate their 10th anniversary and started the new season very strong by booking one of the best Genesis tribute bands on the planet. Yes, the amazing music, visuals and props of The Book Of Genesis were back at the Parkvilla in Alphen aan de Rijn in the Netherlands after being away for 2 years. After their first performance (see review) at the same venue I wrote that of course I could go on and on raving about this amazing performance by this excellent Genesis tribute band. Words hardly could describe what took place at the stage at the time. The second time on a Dutch stage was a major success and there probably will be a third time, fourth time, fifth time as well. Because we always want more and more! Much more! And the third time takes place again at this lovely cosy venue. Even a fourth time will take place this year because the following day the band will do a concert in Ulft as part of the mini European tour. A tour which also included a performance at the Spirit of 66 in Verviers in Belgium one day before this concert.
 

Nigel Betteridge (►more pics)

Those who already have witnessed this excellent Genesis tribute band know what to expect and therefore it wasn't strange at all that the sign SOLD OUT could be put on the front door! Of course, the band wouldn't return to a Dutch stage unless a new theatre show was put together. Two years ago, unfortunately the bands lead singer Nigel Betteridge was struggling with his health and was temporarily replaced by their former singer Mike Morton (The Gift). But nowadays he is back in great shape and ready to show what he already showed the first time at 't Blok in Nieuwerkerk a/d Ijssel three years ago (see review). And this new show, with the different musical faces of Genesis before and after the break, was a great way to show he was back on form.

But before the band could start the first set with the Peter Gabriel years in the spotlight, a short introduction was done by a special guest of honour. Namely Richard Macphail, the manager, cook, van driver of Genesis in the early '70s. He wrote his memories of that time in his book My book of Genesis, which has a foreword by Peter Gabriel. After that it was show time again with a capital S. This time around Betteridge was wearing a wig during the whole first set, something he didn't wear three years ago. This certainly made him look more like Gabriel. As usual was the opening piece Watcher Of The Skies. Of course Nigel wore the bat wings on the side of his head and a black cape on his shoulders. Also during Dancing With The Moonlit Knight he put on some special clothes. With a helmet on his head and wearing a shield in the colours of the British flag it was obvious for everybody present that he was Britannia, even if someone shouted 'Brexit'.

Robert Arnold (►more pics)

The song was of course also the perfect vehicle to show the audience that Robert Arnold (guitars) and Howard Boder (keyboards) were the perfect substitutes for Steve Hackett and Tony Banks. Just like they showed during the excellent performance of Firth Of Fifth. During After The Ordeal Nigel got a break and went off stage to prepare himself for the first sing-a-long song Genesis recorded. Of course, I am referring to I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe). Everybody had put on their white hats when he returned on stage to do the lawnmower walk. After this first audience participation part it was time for the last song of the first set. Once again Nigel told the crowd the story of old Henry who was rolling over the grass awaking the worms. For them it was mating time. But to the birds it meant that supper was ready. What followed was of course a stunning version of Supper's Ready, with the many outfits to watch. Such as 'Magog', 'the flower', 'the pharaoh' and the guy with a fluorescent lamp who looked like someone from the Star Wars movie! It was the perfect ending of an incredible first set.

After the break it was Phil Collins time. Meaning the spotlight was now on the person who replaced the bands original vocalist behind the microphone. This didn't mean the second part what less spectacular in visuals and music. No way! The band once again went full speed and entertained the audience throughout the entire second set. From the instrumental Squonk until the oldest Genesis composition performed (The Knife) during the final encore, it was one big musical highlight for everybody present. Therefore, a standing ovation was once again in place. They had witnessed a band in great shape copying the Collins years with songs taken from A Trick Of The Tail (1976) and Wind & Wuthering (1976) the best way possible. For example, during Entangled bass player Kirk Watson played the acoustic guitar in a perfect way, just like the earlier mentioned Arnold and Boder playing the six and twelve strings in a very delicate way. But also, songs originally sung by Gabriel got a excellent live rendition. Most of all the songs taken from The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway

Nigel Betteridge together with Russ Wilson (r) on drums (►more pics)

(1974) made me speechless. The crowd enjoyed great versions of the title track, The Carpet Crawlers and In The Cage. The last title was really awesome in combination with ...In That Quiet Earth and Afterglow. During the instrumental parts Nigel climbed behind his drum kit to do the double rhythm parts with the band's drummer Russ Wilson. They also dueted during the instrumental parts of the three-piece Dance On A volcano/Drum Duet/ Los Endos. Maybe for those who don't know, Betteridge is a trained drummer, just like Gabriel and Collins. In fact it really was just awesome seeing two drummers, copying what Phil Collins and Chester Thompson did originally back in the seventies during a Genesis performance. As for the visuals it was great to see the band do the closing section (Coda) of The Musical Box. During this part of the song it was obvious that Nigel would wearing the old man mask. Which everybody loves of course.

Once again, the excellent musicians on stage brought back the fantastic musical period of Genesis between1970 and 1977. I guess everybody who has seen The Book Of Genesis know that they are most certainly capable to relive the golden years of Genesis in a perfect way. No doubt about the fact that they will return next year for more musical tributes to one of the best progressive rock acts in the genre. Because just like the last time we want more and more! Much more!

Henri Strik (edited by Dave Smith)