RAILS LIVE

Steve Hackett live records have always been excellent as far as I know, including this one. I really enjoy this live record from start to the end. The selection of songs are also great even though I was a bit disappointed that Mechanical Bride from To Watch The Sotorm album is not included in this live set. But it's OK, overall. The performance is really excellent. I would have expected that Hugo Degenhardt played his drumstool instead of Gary O'Toole (even though he is not bad at all). Hugo drum style is much more powerful to my ears and my taste.

The live set starts with a nice intro that set the overall tone of the setlist; performed in an ambient nuance with eastern touches of Hackett guitar work, backed with great percussion. It's really a great opening. It then flows to my favorite track from Spectral Morning album "Everyday" which is performed differently from original version - much more dynamic here. Another favorite of mine is an instrumental piece 'Ace of Wands', performed cleverly here at this liveset. I also love The Steppes. I think all songs in Disc 1 are performed beautifully.

Even Genesis has never done ...

...throughout their live career in performing 'Firth of Fifth' with piano solo at the intro part. This time Steve Hackett did it nicely thru keyboard work by his long-time friend Roger King. That is a major surprise for the live set in CD 2 that contains best work of Hackett during his tenure with Genesis. All four Genesis tracks contained here at CD 2, Steve Hackett band performed them really well even though there were no close similarity with the original version under Gabriel or performed live by Phil Collins in vocal department. In 'Blood on the Rooftops' he added acoustic guitar part from the original version that makes it nicer. My favorite 'Fly on a Windshield - Broadway melody of 1974' were also performed nicely. 'Los Endos' is performed wonderfully with relatively fast speed - it's truly rockin'! I love this version of Los Endos. I think this track had always been performed by Steve Hackett in most of his shows. The material from his solo album performed here are also excellent starting with 'Spectral Morning' with his stunning guitar work. "Clocks" (again from Spectral Morning album cncludes the live set wonderfully. I love this version of Clocks - it's so lively and so powerful performed here live while the music still carries the best parts of the studio version. The drum solo part is really cool .....!

Overall, this live set is truly an excellent addition to any prog music collection. I am convinced that future liveset releases by Steve Hackett would alaways be excellent like this one and previous releases. Long live Hackett!!! Keep on proggin' ...!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW