An unobstructed view of Genesis in the 1992 practice studio

A video that recently surfaced on YouTube offers a rare opportunity to get an up-close look at a big band rehearsing for a massive world tour without a filter. OK, it’s over 30 years old, but the impressions you get are still very real.

The video shows Genesis, legendary drummers Chester Thompson and of course Phil Collins, in close proximity during rehearsals for the hugely successful “We Can’t Dance” tour in 1992 in Chiddingfold, Surrey, England. Chester Thompson can be seen with his now legendary and detailed Sonor set “Correct” during the closing part of the “Music Box”. Meanwhile, Phil Collins stands before him as a singer. Then the master himself sits behind the legendary Gretsch concert tom drum for the next “Firth of Fifth”.

It’s interesting to see, for example, how Collins and Thompson harmoniously divide the drum parts in these early and deep Genesis compositions from the 1970s and also complement each other deliciously in terms of sound. The sound is direct, almost unamplified and sounds like a practice room, not like a big version – which is very noticeable, for example, with Collins’ piccolo (major) drum from the Noble & Cooley brand. It doesn’t get any closer than that. Check it out.

PS There is a live version here, the medley starts at minute 26:31.