Steve Hackett - (2002) The Genesis Files

Steve Hackett - (2002) The Genesis Files

Boxset/Compilation, released in 2002

2CD Genesis Files = Genesis Revisited + tracks from other Hackett albums, as stated in the track list. There is nothing older than two pieces from '83 acoustic guitar album Bay of Kings (except 'Horizons' from it appeared originally in Foxtrot, and 'Steppes' from Tokyo Tapes live album in Defector '80). Each song is served with liner notes and thus clearing the 'Genesis' concept also in tracks that at first seem to have nothing to do with it. To be honest, some don't. Two instrumental tracks from '99 Darktown? As well or better could have been some (new versions perhaps) from earliest solo albums that are closer in style to Genesis. But this kind of limited compiling principle suits well. The sense of compilation is almost absent if you haven't heard all the source albums. It's principally just an extended version of "Watcher of the Skies - Genesis Revisited" (96) and it works as that. ...Sorry such lecturing: call it The Premiere Review Syndrome.

Genesis revisitations were made with a large amount of guests. John Wetton in 'Firth of Fifth' and 'Watcher of the Skies', wow! Colin Bluntstone's tender 'For Absent Friends' accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic is dangerously close to oversweetness. 'Your Own Special Way' as a Rutherford tune has Paul Carrack from Mike+Mechanics, and I must say the nature of the song fits better to that polished style than to Wind & Wuthering. 'Fountain of Salmacis' sung by Steve is a good example how he manages to add new excitement even to such dramatic classics. It's almost TOO full. 'Waiting Room Only' is an atonal curiosity based on the Lamb track. The Tokyo concert with a superb all-stars lineup seems really great.

Here and there this music feels a bit overproduced & highly strung, and makes me miss the more peaceful side of Hackett's music. But worth getting if you missed Genesis Revisited.

Track Listings

Disc 1
1. Firth Of Fith (Genesis Revisited)
2. Watcher Of The Skies (Genesis Revisited)
3. Riding The Colossus (Genesis Revisited (Jap. Ed.))
4. Rise Again (Darktown)
5. Valley Of Kings (Genesis Revisited)
6. Time Lapse At Milton Keynes (Bay Of Kings)
7. Your Own Special Way (Genesis Revisited)
8. The Fountain Of Salmacis (Genesis Revisited)
9. For Absent Friends (Genesis Revisited)
10. Twice Around The Sun (Darktown)

Disc 2:
1. Horizons (Bay Of Kings)
2. Prizefighters (Feedback '86)
3. Camino Royale (The Tokyo Tapes)
4. I Know What I Like (Genesis Revisited)
5. Deja Vu (Genesis Revisited)
6. Waiting Room Only (Genesis Revisited)
7. Dance On A Volcano (Genesis Revisited)
8. The Steppes (The Tokyo Tapes)
9. In That Quiet Earth (The Tokyo Tapes)
10. Los Endos (The Tokyo Tapes)


Line-up/Musicians:

- John Wetton / bass, vocals
- Bill Bruford / drums
- Ben Fenner / keyboards, programming
- Tony Levin / bass
- Julian Colbeck / keyboards
- Hugo Degenhardt / drums
- Doug Sinclair / bass
- Roger King / programming, keyboards, virtual drums
- Aron Friedman / keyboards, piano
- Billy Budis / bass
- Nick Magnus / keyboards, programming
- Jerry Peal / keyboards, programming
- Paul Carrack / vocals
- Chester Thompson / drums
- Alphonso Johnson / bass
- John Hackett / flute
- Colin Blunstone / vocals
- Bonnie Tyler / vocals
- Chris Thompson / vocals
- Terry Pack / bass
- Ian McDonald / flute, keyboards
- Pino Palladino / bass
- Will Bates / saxophone
- The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra