GENESIS REVISITED

This album is Steve's re-interpretation of his tenure with Genesis before he ventured into a successful (my view) solo career. So, it's recommended for early Genesis freaks to have this album. The arrangements are ranging from excellent to masterpiece. Those I consider as true masterpiece are: Firth of Fifth, Los Endos, Dance on Volcano and Fountain of Salmacis.

Firth of Fifth is masterpiece because the rearrangements have been done by creating alternative ways of performing each segment differently. For example, the Tony Banks' piano introduction (that has always killed me whenever I listened to the CD or heard it from ringtones of my progmate's cellular phone) is beautifully replaced with a blend of Xylophone and orchestration work. WOW! It's magnificent man! Whilst the acoustic guitar texture is maintained the same with the original version, the interlude part on flute is replaced by stunning acoustic guitar work. The interlude is also expanded with a sort of avant-garde orchestra and percussive. The original howling guitar solo is strengthened wonderfully with Spanish style music. What a great interlude! Am totally stunned with this one! The bass lines are also great.

The Fountain of Salmacis is also rearranged differently from its original form. The mellotron-based intro is added with acoustic guitar outfit. At first spin I was so disappointed with the vocal line by terrible voice quality of Mr. Hackett. But, when I had another spin I got another perspective that with terrible voice of Steve it still produces great music harmony. So I don't complain his voice anymore. It's a great arrangement.

Dance on A Volcano has been added during intro part with classical and electric guitar outfit and some sound effects. Given this intro, no one would guess that this is the intro part of Dance On A Volcano. The main body of the song is not rearranged that much but it creates another nuance compared to original recording; it's probably due to a kind of growling style vocal performed here. Also, there is slapping bass lines performed during interlude part. At first listen I did not appreciate this song due to vocal style, but it grew with many spins later.

Los Endos is the most exciting track in this album not just because it is performed with high energy but also it has great arrangement. The speedy acoustic guitar work opens the tune followed with great drumming by Steve's best drummer in his solo albums Hugo Degenhardt. Orchestration has been composed in complex style especially during transition pieces, augmented with electric guitar work. The song also projects a world music nuance with the beautiful insertion of percussions in the middle of the track augmented with avant-garde music style.

In addition to above re-interpretation of Genesis Steve also rearranged his own work, ie. Valley of The Kings. This is an interesting outfit as the arrangement has a beautiful nuance of Eastern tuning. It automatically reminds me to the music of Led Zeppelin's Kashmir where it shares similar nuance. Valley of The Kings is a masterpiece track as well.

Listening to this album is really rewarding especially if you have been familiar with Genesis music in the seventies as you will hear another variant of arrangement composed excellently by the guitar maestro, Steve Hackett. Overall rating is 4+ out of 5 stars. I recommend you to purchase the CD. Keep on proggin' .!

Progressively yours,

GW