GENESIS REVISITED

A very interesting take on Hackett-era Genesis tunes, affectionately reorchestrated by a man who was there for the originals! Steve Hackett assembles some weighty prog-rock names (Bruford, Levin, Wetton, etc) and gives these epics a 90's treatment. Some tracks are significantly revised (e.g. the soft-rock take on "Your Own Special Way", a more latin- tinged version of "Los Endos"), and there ae some surprises (e.g. "Valley of the Kings", presumably a memory of an unformed song, which rocks, and "Deja Vu", a newly finished sketch from 1974). Hackett's guitarplaying is amazing as ever, shifting between classical moods and shrieking electric solos, and the vocals that he handles are also quite good. The backing musicians are quite competent, but with the exception of "Dance on a Volcano"'s bass antics and some weirder sounds on "Waiting Room Only", they maintain a safe distance. This is Hackett's show, and surely he's entitled to be nostalgic. Unfortunately, some of the magic is lost in the process. Modern instrumentation somehow makes the tracks sound more programmed and less jammed. And if you're used to hearing Peter Gabriel or Phil Collins sing, Hackett's baritone (scary in places!) or Paul Carrack's soft lilt may be a bit distracting. In short, a solid musical album, and a nice gesture by Steve to show his appreciation to his Genesis days. But this is mostly something for Genesis fanatics or prog completists who want everything by everyone in YEs, King Crimson, etc.