Steve Hackett: Genesis Revisited I, II & Live at Hammersmith (1996 - 2013)

Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett has assembled a wide variety of musicians to rework many classic Genesis songs. The end result is quite interesting. Some songs are quite true to the original, while some are very big departures – some are wonderful, some not quite so impressive. In general, this is an intriguing work, that is quite satisfying for the fans of old Genesis. The biggest named musicians joining Steve Hackett on the album include John Wetton, Bill Bruford, and Tony Levin. The most unusual cut on the disc is "Waiting Room Only" in that it was never actually released on a Genesis album. To quote the liner notes, "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway had an atonal jam called 'The Waiting Room' – we tried to recapture its spirit by similarly abandoning form here and creating a whole new piece in the process which we've titled 'Waiting Room Only.'" This track is the only one that was not originally recorded by Genesis.

by Gary Hill, AMG

Tracklist:

01. Watcher of the Skies (8:40)
02. Dance On A Volcano (7:28)
03. Valley Of The Kings (6:29)
04. Deja Vu (5:53)
05. Firth of Fifth (9:39)
06. For Absent Friends (3:02)
07. Your Own Special Way (4:18)
08. Fountain of Salmacis (9:53)
09. Waiting Room Only (6:53)
10. I Know What I Like (5:37)
11. Los Endos (8:51)




Musicians:

- Steve Hackett / vocals, guitars, percussion, harmonica, orchestration
- John Wetton / vocals, bass
- Bill Bruford / drums
- Tony Levin / bass
- Chester Thompson / drums
- Ian McDonald / saxophone, flute
- Paul Carrack / vocals
- Colin Blunstone / vocals
- Alphonso Johnson / bass
- John Hackett / flute
- Pino Palladino / bass
- Julian Colbeck / keyboards
- Aron Friedman / keyboards, orchestration, programming
- Hugo Degenhardt / drums
- Nick Magnus / keyboards, programming
- Will Bates / saxophone
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Sanchez / Montoya Chorale
- Roger King / keyboards, vibraphone, orchestration, programming
- Jerry Peal / keyboards, programming
- Ben Fenner / keyboards, orchestration, programming

The material comprising the two discs of Genesis Revisited II ranges from 1971's Nursery Cryme to 1976's Wind & Wuthering, for which, fueled by nostalgia, guitarist Steve Hackett ambitiously attempted to re-create his favorite Genesis tracks. Helping Hackett with his 2012 vision, ten vocalists were recruited to cover the parts originally sung by Phil Collins and Peter Gabriel. While the femininity of Amanda Lehmann and husky voice of Opeth's Mikael Åkerfeldt change the songs significantly, others are perfectly suited, like Phil Collins' son Simon, who sounds nearly identical to his father. Obviously, these versions can't compete with the classics, but Hackett's technical skills are more astounding than ever and many additional details – such as the replacement of Mellotron parts with a live orchestra – are nice touches.

by Jason Lymangrover, AMG

Tracklist CD1:

01. The Chamber of 32 Doors (6:00)
02. Horizons (1:41)
03. Supper's Ready (23:35)
04. The Lamia (7:47)
05. Dancing With The Moonlit Knight (8:10)
06. Fly On A Windshield (2:54)
07. Broadway Melody of 1974 (2:23)
08. The Musical Box (10:57)
09. Can-Utility And The Coastliners (5:50)
10. Please Don't Touch (4:03)




Tracklist CD2:

01. Blood On The Rooftops (6:56)
02. The Return Of The Giant Hogweed (8:46)
03. Entangled (6:35)
04. Eleventh Earl Of Mar (7:51)
05. Ripples (8:14)
06. Unquiet Slumbers For The Sleepers (2:12)
07. In That Quiet Earth (4:47)
08. Afterglow (4:09)
09. A Tower Struck Down (4:45)
010. Camino Royale (6:19)
11. Shadow Of The Hierophant (10:45)




Musicians:

- Steve Hackett / guitars, vocals
- Roger King / keyboards
- Amanda Lehmann / guitar, vocals
- Jo Lehmann / backing vocals
- Christine Townsend / violin, viola
- Dave Kerzner / keyboards
- Dick Driver / double bass
- Francis Dunnery / guitar, vocals
- Gary O'Toole / drums, percussion, vocals
- John Hackett / flute
- John Wetton / bass, guitar, vocals
- Mikael Akerfeldt / vocals
- Nad Sylvan / vocals
- Nik Kershaw / vocals
- Phil Mulford / bass
- Rachel Ford / cello
- Roine Stolt / guitar
- Steve Rothery / guitar
- Nick Magnus / keyboards
- Neal Morse / keyboards, vocals
- Jeremy Stacey / drums
- Conrad Keely / vocals
- Nick Beggs / bass, Chapman stick
- Steven Wilson / guitar, vocals
- Rob Townsend / sax, flute and blown sundries
- Jakko Jakszyk / guitar, vocals
- Simon Collins / keyboard, vocals
- Lee Pomeroy / bass, Chapman stick
- Djabe

It is difficult to resist hearing a band that plays a tribute to one of your favorite bands, like Genesis, especially when it's their best music in the 70's. We have here only songs of the period were Hackett was in the band, including the beautiful 'Shadow of the Hierophant', who was co-written with Mike Rutherford during the rehearsal of the Foxtrott sessions. Hackett was accompanied by some guests musicians a part from his band. Nad Sylvan sings the majority of the songs, some maybe will be disturb by his mannerism, trying to match Gabriel's voice, but Hackett wanted someone flamboyant, he surely got it. But we can make this criticism to all the singers involved because you can't replace Peter Gabriel voice.

The interpretation of the songs is faithful to the originals, with some revisited and corrected solos, but also with the addition of the saxophone of Rob Townsend, when we can hear him clearly. One thing disturbed me during this concert; the drum sound of Gary O'Toole. The drums were sounding too heavy and noisy, a bit like the guy had cheap drums. I don't know if it would have made a difference if the sound engineer had put his sound down. More impressive is Lee Pomeroy who is a left handed bassist and guitar player that plays on right handed instruments! The keyboards of Roger King recreate with fidelity the sound of those whom we have been used to hear with Tony Banks in the 70's. Steve Hackett is obviously the musician that still characterized with the more accuracy the Genesis sound, because he was in the band with some of the same instruments.

The picture quality is excellent and the 5.1 surround sound is full, not only for ambiance. The visuals are impressive with a nice light show and projections on LD screens. While I had a good time listening to my favorite music of the 70's, you can't stop thinking in this kind of project at the idea that it's only a recreation of music that is owned by other artists. The project of Nick D'Virgilio with "The Lamb Lies down on Broadway" was more satisfying, because he was bringing a little bit more in the music with more new arrangements and instruments. Still, plenty of Genesis fans will want to take a look at this concert, because it's a chance to see our favorite old music with the new technology.

by rdtprog, progarchives

Tracklist CD1:

1. Watcher of the Skies
2. The Chamber of 32 Doors
3. Dancing with the Moonlit Knight
4. Fly on a Windshield
5. Broadway Melody of 1974
6. The Lamia
7. The Musical Box
8. Shadow of the Hierophant
9. Blood on the Rooftops




Tracklist CD2:

1. Unquiet Slumbers for the Sleepers
2. In That Quiet Earth
3. Afterglow
4. I Know What I Like
5. Dance on a Volcano
6. Entangled
7. Eleventh Earl of Mar
8. Supper's Ready




Tracklist CD3:

1. Firth of Fifth
2. Los Endos




Musicians:

- Steve Hackett / Guitars, Vocals
- Roger King (Gary Moore, Snoop Doggie Dog, Jamelia) / Keyboards,
- Gary O'Toole (Kylie Minogue, Chrissie Hynde) / Drums, Percussion, Vocals
- Rob Townsend (Eddie Henderson, Bill Bruford, Django Bates) / Sax,Flute, Percussion,
- Lee Pomeroy (Take That, Rick Wakeman) / Bass
- Nad Sylvan (Abba's Michael B Tretow) / Vocals

With:
- Nik Kershaw / Vocals
- Steve Rothery / Guitar
- John Wetton / Bass, Guitar, Vocals
- Jakko Jaksyzk / Guitar, Vocals
- Amanda Lehmann / Guitar, Vocals


All thanks go to Pasheka-Pacheka