While the Tabletop briefly mentioned this seminal live album on their premier episode covering “Abacab,” we never gave it its proper due. And since we DID discuss the fourth side’s studio tracks during our B-sides roundup of “Abacab” and “Duke,” we’re going to focus our discussion on the UK version that featured a fourth live side. Vote for your favorite track below!
It’s got to be the Fountain of Salmacis. Stürmer just goes bonkers at the end. Gets the goosebumps going. This is such a better “live” album than Seconds Out.
Abacab live on 3SL is my favourite version of my favourite Genesis track. The dual drumming of Phil & Chester, the call & response of Tony & Mike leading to a brilliant crescendo where Mike lays down a stunningly melodic ‘Hackett’ style guitar solo.
I think 2 songs really sound way better in the live versions. Me and Sarah Jane being one but my favourite one to listen to is Dodo/Lurker which sounds so powerful live. Phil is giving it his all and Chester is pounding the heck out of those drums!
I really think that the In The Cage / Cinema Show / Slipperman medley really brings you inside the concert hall and is special enough to make you feel like you are there (especially when wearing headphones)
Dodo/Lurker/Abacab and the In The Cage medley – absolutely impeccable performances.
My favourite tracks are Dodo and the way it cuts straight into Abacab.
I picked the medley. It might seem like a generic pick next to some tracks that weren’t played live very often but on this version the band was so tight. The double drum sequences during cinema show might be the best of any tour. I like the addition of Slipperman in the medley which was absent from many tours.
Behind The Lines/Duchess for me. This was my first Genesis show, and so these were the first notes I heard live from them.
I also have the pleasure of being on the album as I was at the NEC that night when much of it was recorded!
In the 80’s all I had of Three Sides Live were tracks scattered across the ends cassette tapes, copied from my cousins LP. I don’t think I’d heard the version of One for the Vine until I picked up a CD copy last year. It’s such a great, modern sounding, version and so “Tony” with the sound of the Yamaha piano.
A positive & uplifting album.
Favourite track ‘Abacab’. The composed jam is performed to perfection. Why the band all but ignore that material in future tours I will never know.
‘Behind the lines’ & ‘Duchess’ are wonderfully uplifting (pity ‘guide vocal’ wasn’t included).
‘Cage’ & the medley that follows is 11/10. Even though I’ve heard it countless times, I still half expect the band to go into the ‘Firth’ guitar solo(the way Daryl bends up the note at 7:38) but then ‘Cinema’ kicks off! Sublime.
‘Afterglow’ is full of emotion. Phil’s vocals are stellar. Hell of a performance.
‘Vine’ is Banks’ best work & ‘it/Watcher’ was an incredible way to end a show & another example of why Steve calls Tony the ‘Chord king’ – that final BIG chord!
Three Sides Live is absolutely my favorite album of all time. I know many swear by Seconds Out, but Three Sides Live features the “second classic five” (Banks, Collins, Rutherford, Steurmer and Thompson) sounding great, with a better track listing and a heavier sound than on Seconds Out. In picking a favorite, I had to go with Abacab – sounding stunningly good, especially the long ending. Dodo/Lurker and the In the Cage medley are close second choices.
Another ‘Abacab’ fan , my man!
You’re totally right about that ‘heavier sound’, bloody brilliant!