Classical Composer Reacts to GENESIS: MAMA (Live) | The Daily Doug (Episode 787)

[@popozz]

Genesis is a band with an excellent drummer on vocals, an excellent guitarist playing bass, and an excellent bassist playing guitar.

[@stevenseul361]

You forgot the glue that held everything together. One of the best writers and keys Tony Banks

[@OliverKupper79]

And the fablous Chester Thompson

[@trsidn]

@@OliverKupper79 I think Phil and Chester are mentally linked....

[@jrbergsten]

Collins said in interviews that he “stole” that laugh from some rap song. Likely easy to find. He also said he used it to scare the band’s kids.

[@johnchapman7015]

@@jrbergsten Grandmaster Flash - The Message 🙂

[@stevedrums1675]

One of the great vocals of not just Phil’s career, but any career. Stunning still all these years later.

[@LuisGarcia-ee2tr]

Killer song. The atmosphere created by Banks' wonderful keyboards is beautiful, captivating, addictive. Phil sings with a total delivery of energy.

[@TheSomsom3]

Man were they good. I'm crying as I write this. They were incredibly good in concert. I'm just happy to have seen them in my lifetime. Thank you thank you thank you.

[@RonFitzpatrick-vb2gd]

I got to see them back in ‘87. They were amazing!

[@brucefreedman3655]

Mine was Dec 13, 1986 at Olympic Park, Melbourne, Australia.

[@trsidn]

@@RonFitzpatrick-vb2gd saw them in 78... spectacular

[@MrJambug]

@@trsidn My first Genesis gig was also 1978 at Knebworth, the primary outdoor/festival location before Glastonbury took centre stage. I was also at this very gig at Wembley. Saw them most recently at the O2 in 2022. It was sad to see Phil so debilitated but he was on good form and still had the audience in the palm of his hand.

[@PodCaspar]

Totally agree. Live in Rotterdam, Netherlands. A ma zing.

[@ch8989-dk6jd]

Genesis is the greatest band over time.

[@scousenotenglish2819]

The studio version with Phil pushing his voice to the max is the superior version.

[@anns4536]

I've loved this song for years and never realized that this unresolved tension is what makes it so compelling. Another great one, Doug, thanks!

[@nectarinedreams7208]

It shares that element of unresolved tension with In the Air Tonight. Mama is basically Genesis' take on that song.

[@anthonydebot45]

They sold out 4 shows at the Wembley Stadium, four days in a row. Insane. They were at the peak of their popularity back then, and Phil's vocals sounded incredible in those days. Genesis is my favourite band of all time, musically nothing can top their 70's era output in my mind, but their 80's shows were incredibly powerful, and well worth watching.

[@JD.Knight]

One of my favourite Genesis tracks is Driving The Last Spike. Always overlooked, you should check it out Doug.

[@jean-philippeperetti8463]

Same here. So happy I'm not alone to love that song.

[@richard5974]

Great song!

[@salvadormontorogoethe7619]

And Fading Lights!!!

[@timothybrennan3600]

Yes!

[@richardhargrave6082]

Its just brilliant

[@miradoruk]

I had the privilage to be at this concert, it was on my birthday, I was 19 and it totally blew me away....

[@raymondhartmeijer9300]

I don't think even the 70s-Genesis-purists can deny the power of this particular song

[@JimReem]

it's mostly pop and was very popular, but musically, it's not the match of anything from the prog era, it was the beginning of Phil's entrance into his power vocals and start taking the lead on vocals, very theatrical. .

[@nectarinedreams7208]

Some do. Some don't. I love my prog, but Mama is fucking awesome and it always will be.

[@nectarinedreams7208]

@@JimReem Just because it's simpler doesn't mean it's lesser. Mama is a work of genius. I too prefer the prog stuff, but come on. By any metric that matters, Mama is up there.

[@dexiomine1232]

​@@JimReem yes because Peter Gabriel never sang theatrical...

[@HeavyTopspin]

Have to say, there's no denying that Genesis' prog era was great... but IMHO, both Genesis and Gabriel were at their best when apart, just because they were far from the best prog-rock band, but they absolutely were the best at what they did in the 80s, while Gabriel was set free to completely embrace his weirdness.

[@teqrevisited]

My dad is somewhere in this crowd in front of the forwardmost tower. What I wouldn't give to have been there with him!

[@HazardGoat]

Genesis is my favorite band, and this might be Phil's finest vocal performance ever.

[@silchasruinedmytea7307]

my favorite as well; i also think this was the height of his vocal abilities for sure, particularly live. i think his best singing on record is on We Can't Dance, even if that''s in general towards the bottom of the popular album rankings. His voice is so powerful on that whole record.

[@markgolland5717]

My favourite live version. Absolutely huge sound.

[@martinjones5560]

I only saw them once live and this was the show!

[@MarkoMakela-kk7qf]

You Mr Doug have the ability pick some of the golden pices of all time in rock music. Thank you!

[@m.gideonhoyle409]

I saw them in Austin, TX, on the Genesis tour... This was their opener then, as well. Phil sang his heart out.

[@TheKatonahKid]

And the light in his face was great too.

[@loopycyclist3028]

They broadcast the whole concert live on Radio One and I can remember having the stereo on in the house with the tape recorder running and my late father turning the volume up high. Watch the rest definitely it's epic.

[@kellieelliott5198]

I’m a Phil Collins Genesis girl moreso than a Peter Gabriel Genesis girl. That maniacal laugh is taken from Grandmaster Flash’s “The Message”. It goes like this “Ah-ha-ha-ha-ha, it’s like a jungle sometimes it makes me wonder how I keep from going under.” Phil really liked how Grandmaster Flash did that vocalization and he tried copying it. Go give The Message a listen and you’ll hear how Uncle Phil got the maniacal laugh. I ❤️ Genesis!!!

[@markscott2231]

If I'm not mistaken they played here 3 nights to over 275,000 fans. Incredible how popular they were in the 80's!

[@franckbizouard3357]

Best live performance of this incredible and powerful song!

[@MattSingh1]

*They played four consecutive sold-out nights at the 80,000-capacity Wembley Stadium. The four nights were a record at the time, and was only bettered by Michael Jackson five years later. Genesis was the biggest, most-successful musical act on the planet circa 1986/1987, as in addition to these record sell-out nights, their 1986 album Invisible Touch produced five singles that all went top-five in the US charts with the album itself reaching the top spot in the US charts. All of this of course happened at the time Phil was one of the biggest solo acts on the planet as well.*

[@stephenworldwide]

I used to chill at a local bar and the dj would play this at one point every weekend night, never forget this song. He also played "Burnin for You" and "Cum on feel the Noise" quite often.

[@fredericknalaremah939]

Doug, in recognition of Genesis at their absolute best please review their most poignant live track and I believe their best ever live performance of 'Fading Lights' from their Knebworth concert in 1992. The remastered version by Jesica Clark shows the 3 remaining members, Phil, Tony and Mike displaying for all time their musical genius...Heartrending Genesis perfection!

[@Mika-ni9kd]

Love watching Doug getting excited and surprised listening to the music, his love and joy for the music is touchable, drags me with him as well. What a joy! What a song, have loved it since it came out. Thank you Doug❤

[@396Cap]

So good. Best band ever. Even better live. Thanks for the reaction.

[@spunk88888]

The album is my favorite Genesis album from the Phil Collins era. Brillant stuff. Mama is a very strong song.

[@arcam4981]

Chester Thompson now plays drums in the australian prog-rock band Unitopia. I suggest to check out their last album Seven Chambers, it's phenomenal

[@rickburns4191]

The first time I heard this song, I couldn't believe I'd never heard it on classic rock radio.

[@jenniferbeyer6412]

It was Invisible Touch tour. Their shows are always spectacular.

[@kaguya6900]

Probably also mentioned by someone else in the comments, but just in case. It's self-titled because it's really the first album by the group which is totally composed by the group rather than having a few songs composed by individuals. No one had any songs or even pieces of songs coming into the studio. They came in, found a riff or drum beat in the studio, and wrote songs as a group around those unprepared riffs or drum beats by improvising in the studio. So it's self-titled because it was the band and the band alone that wrote all the songs.

[@PokyPops]

Queensryche - Operation Livecrime is a fantastic live album. It's their Operation Mindcrime concept album performed end to end live and still impresses me today.

[@jeffreyhender5272]

Might be heresy for the OG Genesis fans, but this is one of my faves. Phil’s vocals are incredible.

[@darkpitcher5242]

The sound engineering on this track is genius. most of it up to and including the "maniacal laugh" is low fi then after that they open up the sound.

[@ArchitexMaze75]

i was at this gig one of the best nights of my life!

[@breese4425]

Phil’s vocals are just so great on this!

[@stephenwest673]

The original and best Wembley stadium…i went to all 4 nights to watch this incredible band that gave us world class music, the best light show ever and the Vari*lite❤️

[@hansmoerenhout]

Great concert. Seen this show live back then. Awesome! As a suggestion: the live version of Abacab from this concert and especially the ending is truly superb.

[@legobrick3115]

100% agree. The ending of this show melted my brain when I saw it live.

[@iainbratt5866]

This was an amazing week, I saw Genesis on Sunday night in Leeds, Wednesday night I saw Peter Gabriel NEC Birmingham on his So Tour. Friday night I saw Genesis Wembley stadium, Saturday night I saw Genesis again (Charles and Diana were there too)

[@heytallman]

Mama is absolutely their best song of their 80's era

[@videocieldiffusion]

don't miss "tonight tonight tonight" on this show. the best live version of that song

[@riclevine5983]

Such a GREAT live song!!!!

[@renepauly3344]

This event was recorded at the Old Wembley Stadium!

[@S-Ltd1000]

I was at one of those Wembley shows. Was a great decade to live through for music.

[@karenglenn6707]

This is one of my absolute favourite songs of all time. I still have the record that my then boyfriend bought me for my 24th birthday in 1984. I have heard this wonderful song at random places in my life, in Bali, Indonesia, at a campground at Yallingup on the Western Australian coast, in cars sitting at lights in Melbourne, Australia . I will love this song beyond my death. It is brilliant!!

[@Shnowflak]

This was taken from the 1987 invisible touch tour.

[@RichardDeighton]

One of the greatest bands of all time. I’ve always thought they are a singularly unique band that are in a category and league all of their own. And Mama has been a favourite of mine since I first heard this album when it came out. Thanks Doug

[@davemcdave2169]

I had this on VHS video tape. It was the Dominoe Tour. 1985 or 86 I think. I broke the tape I played it so much. Learned drums, and how to appreciate music by watching, learning and mimicking these sounds. Amazing when I think about it. Interesting seeing your take in it. Love from Central Scotland sir.

[@entwistlefromthewho]

Yes, that's the old Wembley stadium. It closed in 2000 and the new stadium opened in 2007.

[@olivierpierre968]

The ambiguity surrounding the song's 2 potential themes adds to its depth and impact. One interpretation suggests that the lyrics express the perspective of a fetus pleading with its mother, conveying a desperate desire for life: "Please give me a chance, can't you feel my heart? Don't take away my last chance." This interpretation adds a poignant emotional layer, as it imagines the fetus begging for the opportunity to live. The other possible interpretation is that the song tells the story of a young teenager who has developed an intense fixation on a woman he perceives as a maternal figure. This woman, who is actually a prostitute he encountered by chance, does not reciprocate his feelings, leaving him confused and yearning for her affection. This scenario highlights themes of unrequited love, longing, and misunderstanding. The richness of the song lies in its ability to evoke such diverse and powerful emotions, whether it is about the unborn child's plea or the teenager's infatuation with the unattainable woman. The lyrics can resonate on multiple levels, making the song more compelling and open to personal interpretation. As Doug would say it Is a deceptive tune.

[@TRaymit]

I was lucky enough to go to this concert (on a different night) and I can confirm it was absolutely amazing! That is the old Webley stadium - I think it held around 75,000 per night and I think they did 3 or 4 sold out nights. It was a great venue, although it took around 4 hours to get out of the car park after the show as it fed onto little local roads, so that was less fun!

[@PeterMoore66]

Yes, that's the old Wembley Stadium, originally built in the mid-1920s (I think). It was demolished in 2003. The new stadium was opened in 2007.

[@andrewskivington6453]

Yep, George Micheal was the first act there, then Muse the following weekend.

[@wilsona7x18]

I bought this pirate DVD when I was a teen with 14 or 15 years old and was a lucid experience for me to expanded my range listening subgenres of Metal nowadays. Phil is the best Phil in the whole world :3

[@bruno1982afonso]

This song is a masterclass on restraint and keeping the tension. The fact that you only get to hear the first cymbal hit after more then half the song is done, especially in a song where the drums play such a huge roll, always baffles me. It's also, if memory serves me right on his catalog, the song where Phil hits his hardest note ever in the studio version. Really raw and aggressive. Love it!

[@Immenreiner]

I've been at the concert in munich in the Olympiastadion 1987! The day after i was almost deaf, but it was such a great moment in my life. My personal highlight was 'Home by the sea'

[@discostoo]

How good was that eh? Wow. I'm lucky enough to be a Brit who's old enough to have seen Genesis a few times with my father. Thanks for deconstructing this track, you've encapsulated the feelings perfectly!

[@wpochert]

Great tune .. PHENOMENAL performance

[@LastCallHall]

That concert is one of my top 10 concert films ever. Maybe even top 5. Definitely worth watching the rest. Abacab slightly sped up (next song on the set) is amazing.

[@rtwbikerider]

It’s probably in my top 10 concert DVDs also. And, we’re lucky to have it. Between recording it in 1987 with state of the art equipment, and putting it out in 2004, the required playback devices nearly all disappeared. I think that they had to go to Sony in Japan for a playback deck. Imagine if Yessongs could have been recorded in hi-def video and 5.1 surround sound.

[@IntoTheWhite04]

The best version of abacab live or on record. It's great

[@IntoTheWhite04]

Can I also recommend In The Cage medley from the 1984 tour

[@johnchapman7015]

They played four straight sell-out nights at Wembley, this concert was filmed on the last night 4th July 1987. Prince Charles & Princess Diana were up in the Royal Box for some of the show. I'm somewhere in that massed crowd with a couple of mates, what a great night, don't remember how we got home 🙂 Thanks for doing this one, Doug. Great memories. If you want to see the rest of the set, it is available on DVD (I still have my original VHS copy too).

[@OwenVickersGuitar]

Incredible tune! That whole self titled album was amazing.

[@stephenrushmore]

i was at this gig saw them three times in two weeks they were amazing

[@salvadormontorogoethe7619]

Phil is not in his best moment, but maybe you could get an interview with Tony Banks, I am pretty sure he could tell you loooaaadddsss about the chord progressions. Thank you again, Doug!!!!

[@johnanderson290]

After Mama as their opener, they immediately broke right into Abacab, which is also phenomenal! Especially the long instrumental outro section! 🔥🎶 Hoping that you also react to that one Dr. Doug!✌️

[@mc0334]

Phil's voice speaks directly to the heart and the soul, that's the real kee for big succes...

[@rk41gator]

Genesis sold out FOUR nights for these live concerts at Wembley. Over 300,000 fans! There is a reason they were so popular......they were so f-ing good.

[@davenelson-yd2mv]

when i got this on VHS tape i was amazed by this whole concert. this tour played memorial day weekend in Cleveland Ohio and the band took the stage ith the temperature of 40 degrees

[@hughcdavies]

Oh yes Wembley 1987 is the pic and a great show it is.

[@minty_Joe]

Live Aid 1985 was held there, too.

[@derekclear3913]

I was there at the old Wembley Stadium, they did 4 shows between Wednesday and Saturday (first act ever to do 4 consecutive nights), i was at the Wednesday show.

[@mattleppard1970]

They were arguably the biggest band in the world at that time. Huge here in the UK. And I agree that this is the gold standard version of this song - just brilliant. It really is worth doing the next 3-4 songs all in a row ❤ Pretty much a year after this concert, I stood there in Wembley to see Floyd. Hottest day of the summer, 1988. It is the “old” one - sadly.

[@seankeogh6102]

I was there at Wembley. One of the best concerts of my life (I'm 60 this year and I've been to a few)

[@quadrophenius5379]

12:00 You really should do😉 For me that concert is 80's at its best. Unfortunately they left of the In-The-Cage-Medley but it's still is one of my absolute favourite concert dvd's of all time, so thank you very much for using this version of Mama. Because you were asking. Yes that is the old Wembley-Stadium, must be about 70,000 visitors, there is a new Wembley Stadium since 2007 were the Live-Earth-Festival took place (also with Genesis for example).

[@hocheye]

Had seen them in 1984 on the original tour for this song, ten rows from the stage!! It was a fantastic!! concert. When you could afford to go to concerts.

[@kivimik]

While Genesis started down the improvised composition road in Abacab partially (and I think a little bit in Duke), the self-titled album was where they exclusively created their music in the studio together, rather than bringing songs in. That was largely the impetus for calling the album Genesis.

[@salvadormontorogoethe7619]

Oh God, Doug, this was my first concert ever, my mum bought me a ticket for my 15th birthday! I live in Spain, so I saw them in Málaga on the 10th of May 1987!!! I fell in love with the music and the drums, dug back through their 1970s discography and they have been my guys ever since then. Like a musical marriage, if you will. I also started playing the drums, but remained a lifelong amateur :-). Feel the same as @TheSomsom3 right now.

[@clansome]

It's a great DVD, Doug. They did 4 sold out nights at Wembley (yes it's the OLD Wembley) in front of nearly 300,000. Muse did the first concert at the new Wembley on HAARP.

[@charlesrumbaugh3668]

This is by far my favorite concert to watch! Never gets old! You should react to more from this perfect concert, and this is coming from someone who prefers “Gabriel Genesis” by records! Best performance by a frontman ever, don’t argue with me 🤣

[@cmonsterz]

I’ve always enjoyed how the music of Genesis breathes and they use an open structure magnificently!

[@mcolville]

OMG W&W?! Well now I'm a patron.

[@Angelicus-p5p]

I became a new Genesis fan when I saw them perform this in January 1984 in Vancouver, my first big concert. Had never heard of them before.

[@leleobhz]

The concept of completude that never comes just blowed my mind! Thank you so much!

[@rodneybaer4324]

2 more live versions that I love a lot are from 1991 and then, the more recent... and their final best is the Live Over Europe Tour from 2007.

[@Reba-123]

Love this … love Genesis and Phil’s solo work only regret never got to see them in concert but I do have a couple of their concerts on DVD

[@alexthorpe6583]

One of my favorite songs, period, when I was 17 in 1988. But I never heard a live version until now. Interesting perspective on the musical blueballs. The album version ends on a fade-out, with Phil still yelling and ‘laughing’.

[@slowmarchingband1]

The maniacal laugh was inspired by Grandmaster Flash. I was at one of these concerts, a week after seeing Peter Gabriel on the So tour. Quite a week..

[@TheKatonahKid]

Love the video! Genesis is my favorite of all time ahead of Tull, Yes and a couple of other prog bands. I never tire of them because they have gone through so many progressions with the Gabriel years, early Collins and then the later more popular music. And I think Bank's and Rutherford's great songwriting is the foundation of Genesis.

[@shredofmalarchi]

I love drum machines.

[@TheNosferatu666]

AWESOME Tune stil! Nearly 50 years later!

[@MrBlond777]

Wow 🤩 what a concert! The opening when they enter the stage with that insanely huge crowd! I saw Genesis on this tour in Kansas City! Thx for the great 👍 reaction!

[@stevethegopperevans724]

vocals on another level. wow

[@donrobbie1461]

One of my favourite songs from Genesis and a great storytelling about railroad building -drivng the last spike

[@PeteChilcott]

Hi, Doug. You're right on that this read the old Wembley. I got to see this concert in '87 and they were excellent. If you have watched the film concert yet, I urge you to do so sad it was a great set. Home by the Sea segued into Second Home By the Sea was the highlight for me. To seen Phil working with Chester Thompson was just a joy.

[@alastairwinner]

I was there somewhere toward the back. Amazing concert. BTW, it is Old Wembley.

[@davidnorman4923]

The laugh was inspired from the group hearing The message by Grandmaster flash ! Phil kept doing it in between takes and it became a thing!

[@pmnphxaz]

With the passing of Doug Ingle, you should release a Master Piece Friday/ Metal Monday of Iron Butterfly.

[@barriehull7076]

New Wembley Wikipedia: Built 2003-2007 Opened 9 March 2007; 17 years ago Construction cost £789 million (£1.51 billion today)

[@javierortegavillacanas7733]

Great reaction and exposition Doug.

[@philwildcroft1764]

I saw a few shows on that tour (i was working on merchandising) although not Wembley Stadium - yes that is the old one. You don't get the full effect on this video as it's still partly daylight but the light rig was incredible for the time. It was pretty much all Vari-Lite moving programmable lights. Genesis had been using Vari-Lite for a few years and had in fact funded the development of the technology. The difference in 1987 was the introduction of a new control console and 'intelligent' lights which could store their own programs. That meant you could move a large number of lights simultaneously whereas before you had to choose between "a lot" and "together" because of the limitations on processing power in the old control console. Genesis certainly took advantage of that capability. That tour was arguably the invention of modern concert lighting.

[@Liz.Green789]

Mighty fine stuff. Thanks, Doug.

[@drdonothing7991]

My favourite 80s Genesis song. The definitive live version for me is on The Mama Tour DVD. They do the full version.

[@billhawkins1236]

I remember extremely well my wife, myself and my sister in the second row at the Rosemont Horizon ($150.00 per ticket, seems cheap now) for this tour. And I remember distinctly the vari-light rig kind of changing shape and dropping down towards the stage in time with the drums. It was awesome! 😎👍👍