REWIRING GENESIS - A TRIBUTE TO THE LAMB LIES DOWN ON BROADWAY

It is not a common production. It is some kind of remake - well known, classical album of Genesis, recorded once again more than 30 years later. Nick D'Virgilio - spiritus movens of this undertaking - is a real brave man. Completely different musicians, completely different vocals, completely different arrangements and, I must to say, brilliant final effect. It is easy to group all tracks of the album into three categories: similar to original songs (e.g "Lilywhite Lilith", "Lamia"), moderately different than originals (e.g "Carpet Crawlers", "Colony...") and highly divergent versions, especially in terms of the arrangement (surprising but extraordinary "Grant Parade" and "Hairless Heart"). And what a surprize!, the best tracks are of third category! I can imagine, that the first contact with "Rewiring Genesis" might be difficult or even shocking for certain real fans of "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" (like me) - trombones, trumpets, clarinets, accordions and, sometimes, strings section are the main force of instrumental arrangement. I accepted it at first listening. The vocal style of Nick D'Virgilio, very competent singer with warm and soul-like voice is of course also totally unlike Peter Gabriel's voice. And finally, album is almost as wonderful as Genesis' "The lamb..."! Almost, because it is only an remake and because Steve Hackett is still one the greatest prog guitarists (maybe greatest one at all, how to measure it?). Guitar playing on "Rewiring..." (Don Carr), surely correct and accurate is not so inventive and lacks some kind of sonoric ingenuity and "magic" typical to Steve Hackett. This album is, in my opinion, a fantastic example of creative drawing on progressive classic and the best model how the past should be included to the future music. Five stars for the courage of Artists.