North America tour blog Part Two - Past & future worlds - November 2014

Soundcheck, Lynn Auditorium, Lynn, MA
Photo © Rob Townsend

Is that a moose?

I realise this week has been the fortieth anniversary of the start of the Lamb tour, which was also in the States, and here we are now, performing some of those songs as part of my Genesis Extended show! Here's a link to the Lamb review from www.genesis-news.com:
Genesis - The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway - Imaginary creatures trapped on vinyl

And back to the present... After the first few shows in the States, it was good to take a day off. Jack Beermann very kindly took Jo and me on a visit to Salem, where we visited the witch museum and memorial to those poor people executed for apparent witchcraft in 1692, accused by a group of hysterical girls in the religiously repressed early settler community. Arthur Miller made this story famous in his play The Crucible, where he used it as an allegory for the McCarthy trials of suspected communists. It made us think a lot about the horror of being accused when you're innocent. Beyond that dark historical event, it's a beautiful area beside the sea with some wonderful old buildings, like the historical House of the Seven Gables.

We really loved Boston, with it's majestic old houses and big expenses of water and greenery, and the Lynn show had a great vibe.

The next morning we travelled down to the Philadelphia area for the two shows at the Keswick in Glenside, and the Scottish Rites show in Collingswood, all of which had phenomenal audience response... We also had a chance to meet several friends, and back to the old City Tavern restaurant in Philly, once frequented by George Washington!

From the old part of Philly to the futuristic Egg in Albany, which I always think looks more like a space ship than an egg! In my head I heard the words "beam me up, Scotty!" as the elevator took us up into the cylindrical structure. Another really enjoyable show there...

And now bound further north for Canada...

Keswick Theatre, Glenside, PA, USA
Photo © Robert Juckett

Memorial to the victims at Salem

Steve with Jack Beermann on the coast near Salem

Steve, Jo and Nad with friends at the City Tavern, Philadelphia

Egg or space ship?

Nick and Nad take a break