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The golden era of Genesis re-imagined by longtime guitarist and all-star guestsSteve Hackett - Genesis Revisited II(InsideOut Music) 4 1/2 stars (out of 5 stars) Reviewed: October 25, 2012 |
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Review by Andy Argyrakis Even though the Phil Collins-led era of Genesis was by far the most successful, the Peter Gabriel years continue to be the most celebrated. Apparently guitarist Steve Hackett agrees, going so far as to offer a sequel to 1996's "Watcher of the Skies: Genesis Revisited" that once again puts a fresh twist on tunes from his duration within the group. The second volume highlights the remaining favorites from 1971-1977, but also dives incredibly deep to recall some of the group's most innovative, complicated and sometimes downright delightfully strange album cuts.After opening on the epic, attention commanding note of "The Chamber of 32 Doors," Hackett shows off plenty of acoustic intricacy throughout the serene "Horizons," which sets the alternating tone between the project's progressive and contemplative personalities. Other first disc crests include the gentle turned frenetic "Dancing With The Moonlit Knight" and the brooding ballad "The Musical Box," though Hackett's mastery of the material is perhaps best personified on second half highlights like the thundering "Eleventh Earl Of Mar" and the sublime "Afterglow." Genesis fans and prog rock followers in general will also appreciate the all-star guest list that includes John Wetton (King Crimson, Asia), Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree), Conrad Keely (...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead) and Mikael Akerfeldt (Opeth). Even with those lauded contributions, Hackett's axe slinging skills still take center stage, suggesting his guitar tones were just as vital in molding the band's beginnings as Gabriel's distant vocals and over the top costumes. |