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Steve Hackett: Genesis Revisited

 A l b u m   D e t a i l s


Label: Watcher Records
Released: 1996
Time:
 76:50
52Category: Pop/Rock
Producer(s): Steve Hackett
Rating: *******... (7/10)
Media type: CD
Web address: www.hackettsongs.com
Appears with: Genesis, GTR, Peter Gabriel, Tony Banks, Mike Rutherford, Phil Collins, Chris Squire, Steve Howe
Purchase date: 1997
Price in €: 13,99





 S o n g s ,   T r a c k s


[1] Watcher of the Skies (Genesis) - 8:39
[2] Dance on a Volcano (T.Banks/S.Hackett/P.Collins/M.Rutherford) - 7:27
[3] Valley of the Kings (S.Hackett/J.Peal) - 6:31
[4] Déja Vu (P.Gabriel/S.Hackett) - 5:53
[5] Firth of Fifth (Genesis) - 9:39
[6] For Absent Friends (Genesis) - 3:02
[7] Your Own Special Way (M.Rutherford) - 4:18
[8] Fountain of Salmacis (Genesis) - 9:53
[9] Waiting Room Only (S.Hackett/R.King) - 6:53
[10] I Know What I Like (Genesis) - 5:37
[11] Los Endos (T.Banks/S.Hackett/P.Collins/M.Rutherford) - 8:46

 A r t i s t s ,   P e r s o n n e l

 
Steve Hackett - Guitar, Harmonica, Percussion, Vocals, Background Vocals, Orchestration

Bill Bruford - Percussion, Drums
Paul Carrack - Vocals
John Wetton - Bass, Vocals
Chester Thompson - Drums
Colin Blunstone - Vocals
Sanchez - Vocals
Julian Colbeck - Keyboards
Ben Fenner - Keyboards, Programming, Engineer, Orchestration
John Hackett - Flute
Alphonso Johnson
Roger King - Keyboards, Programming, Engineer, Orchestration, Mixing
Tony Levin - Bass
Nick Magnus - Keyboards, Programming
Ian McDonald - Flute, Saxophone
Pino Palladino - Bass
Jerry Peal - Keyboards, Programming, Engineer
Richard MacPhail - Background Vocals
Hugo Degenhardt - Drums
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra - Orchestra
Matt Dunkley - Arranger, Conductor
Aron Friedman - Keyboards, Programming, Fortepiano, Orchestration 

Roger King - Mixing
Ben Ferner - Mixing, Mastering
Jerry Peal - Mixing
 

 C o m m e n t s ,   N o t e s

 
1996 CD Watcher 9010
1997 CD Reef 704
2004 CD Universal Japan 9010
2005 CD Snapper Music Group 126

Live Tracks records at Koseinenkin hall, Tokyo on 16th & 17th December 1996.



Continual demand for the 'old stuff' finally promopted Steve to take this affectionate backwards glace with some of his contemporaries. "What would it sound like if occasional members of Genesis, King Crimson, Yes, Zappa, Asia, Weather Report, The Zombies, Mike & The Mechanics, GTR, Ace - not to mention the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra - all got together with other salubrious pals to form a massive team just for a few minutes?"...

Copyright © 1997 SteveHackett.com



Watcher of the Skies finds former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett celebrating the history of his legendary band by playing a selection of songs beloved by fans of the group's early years, as well as a number of new songs (including "Deja Vu," a song Peter Gabriel began in 1973 and Hackett completed in 1997) inspired by Genesis' early years. Hackett pulled no punches for this record, hiring the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra as support and inviting a plethora of prog-rock royalty -- including Bill Bruford, Tony Levin, Colin Blunstone, Ian McDonald, John Wetton and Paul Carrack -- to contribute guest spots. Hackett isn't overwhelmed by all these guest spots; he actually flourishes, making Watcher of the Skies a majestic, powerful album that confirms his vision as a guitarist and Genesis as a unique musical entity.

Stephen Thomas Erlewine - All Music Guide



Tribute albums (especially those with an orchestra) seem to be a dime a dozen these days. Some are quite good, and then there are the rest. Fortunately, this CD falls into the first group. Watcher of the Skies isn't really a tribute album, per se. Ex-Genesis guitarist, Steve Hackett got a few of his friends and ex-bandmates together to rework classic Genesis material. Hackett was responsible for a great deal of the band's 'sound,' and it's readily apparent here. The title cut gets things off to a great start and features vocals by John Wetton (King Crimson, Asia, Uriah Heep)."Dance on a Volcano" is another highlight. Hackett's ominous, electronically embellished vocals sound as if they're coming from the depths of the volcano itself. Joining Hackett on the track are bassist Alphonso Johnson, and Genesis' touring drummer, Chester Thompson. "Déjà Vu," was a left over track from 1974, written by (then lead vocalist) Peter Gabriel, and completed in 1996 by Hackett. Unfortunately, it's little more than a cure for insomnia, and should have stayed on the shelf.

The best track on the CD is "Firth of Fifth." The middle piano solo has been replaced by Hackett's classical guitar solo, and a new orchestral percussion section. I really can't say enough good things about this track. Genesis alumni, Bill Bruford does his usual outstanding job on the drums, and John Wetton is back again on bass and vocals. Add the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and you've made an already great song even better.

The only other disappointment on Watcher of the Skies is "I Know What I Like." For some reason, they decided to take this song and turn into a lounge track. But that wasn't enough, ohhh nooo. They tried to redeem themselves with the end section-a ripoff of Mike Oldfield's classic, Tubular Bells (the part where Oldfield introduces each instrument as they come in). It's interesting to hear once. Fortunately, you can use the skip feature on your CD player to go to the awesome finale, "Los Endos."

Genesis fans are sure to enjoy this release from Hackett and friends. If only Genesis was still making music that sounded like this.

© 1998 Steve Marshall



"Hier geht es um klassischen ProgRock der 70er Jahre. Hackett schöpft aus dem Vollen, und so finden wir auf dieser Platte bekannte Namen wie Bill Bruford, John Wetton, Paul Carrack oder Colin Blunstone. Amüsante Platte für alle GenesisLiebhaber, die mit ABACAB aufhörten, an das musikalische Potential des Rest-Trios zu glauben."

ME/Sounds 1/98



Vor zwei Jahrzehnten warf Sänger und Gitarrist Steve Hackett bei Genesis das Handtuch. Die Erfolge der Band-Alben von '71 bis '76 konnte er trotz einiger respektabler Solo-Scheiben nicht wiederholen. Nun versucht er, frühe Genesis-Titel aufzuwärmen, mit illustren Gästen wie Bill Bruford (Drums), Alphonso Johnson (Baß) und Paul Carrack (Gesang). Für den richtigen Bombast sicherte er sich die Hilfe des Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Doch wer die Originalalben hat, kann auf den Aufwasch verzichten. ** Klang.: 03-04

© Audio
 

L y r i c s


DÉJÀ VU

I’m on my way, I’m stronger than before
The times I’ve been down
I’ve swept the ocean floor
Like a flower slow to open
I do believe I’ve been this way before

It’s every man’s fantasy to win victory
The world at his feet with songs of glory
The man seems smaller the child stands taller
Now I know that what you sow you reap
And every day at last must die in sleep

You want to know the story of my life
The only sin is not loving enough

I do believe I’ve been this way before

You want to know the future, the last act in a play
A book that falls apart with a missing last page
All the past’s a frozen wasteland
You can’t take back the fruits you once enjoyed
But now I know I’ve been this way before

 M P 3   S a m p l e s


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