STEVE HACKETT
GENESIS REVISITED II
Ever since vocalist Peter Gabriel abandoned Genesis‘ classic line-up in 1975, the band’s ’70s purist fans have pined for a full-prog reunion. That dream appears to be unlikely in 2013, with Gabriel focused on his solo career and humanitarian efforts, and Collins announcing his retirement due to a debilitating spinal injury.
Hackett has always embraced the material
from Genesis’ peak-prog period, faithfully playing the classic material on
stage. While some critics feel Hackett is stuck in the past, he clearly still
loves interpreting these songs, adding new textures and flourishes as the years
go by.
The
double-disc Genesis Revisited II is
Hackett’s second collection of updated Genesis tunes, and it’s a far more
cohesive and inventive set than the first volume released in 1996 (Watcher of the Skies).
Utilizing the same basic format as that
album, Revisited II is almost
entirely comprised of Genesis material, balanced out by a handful of solo
Hackett tunes, most of which were originally rehearsed by Genesis in the ’70s.
As with any look back, it’s tough to know
where to draw the line.
Somewhere between a note-for-note cover and
a wide divergence from the source material lies the answer, and Hackett strikes
a mostly successful balance.
Adding a few new intros, expanding a few
Guitar Hero-style solos, and taking some bold liberties with his taste in
singers, but all-the-while keeping the songs’ core mysticism in-tact, Hackett
manages to avoid prog-rock blasphemy.
Joininf forces with such prog-rock
luminaries as Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree), Conrad Keely (And You Will Know
Us By The Trail Of Dead), and Mikael
Akerfeldt (Opeth) add to this collection’s appeal, and the material is never
viewed through a nostalgic lens. Rather, the songs portray an an urgency most albums
of this nature do not capture, with Hackett letting the songs go to some often
strange new places.
Sometimes,
the attempts miss the mark, but without taking a few gambles, the project
wouldn’t feel so vital. Warts and all, Genesis Revisited II is what the die-hards
have been waiting for.
THE MUSICAL BOX
SUPPER'S READY
AFTERGLOW
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I'm not familiar with Steve's own work, that I know of anyway. I only very recently learned what early Genesis was actually like - I am probably far from alone in having previously assumed that Genesis always = Phil Collins's more well known stuff. ;) But I was edumacated by a friend's husband who is a huge 70s Genesis fan.
ReplyDeleteTrisha-I was a late convert to early Genesis as well-although I did always like The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway
DeleteA lot of the Collins' hits were songs I did not care for.
I listened to the first song. Was never a real Genesis fan, so not my style of prog. But interesting he would redo the songs. Jeff Lynne did the same with ELO's hits a while back.
ReplyDeleteIf you remember, I reviewed the Lynne disc, Alex. I think a lot of artists are re-recording hits because they get stiffed on royalties due to the contracts they signed way back when. Not sure what Steve's motivation is.
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