REVIEW
‘GENESIS REVISITED WITH CLASSIC HACKETT’
CELEBRATING THE 40th ANNIVERSARY OF DEFINITIVE
GENESIS ALBUM ‘WIND AND WUTHERING’
Cliffs Pavilion, Southend-on-Sea
10th May 2017
Last night Steve Hackett and his band made a welcome return to the Cliffs Pavilion for the third time in four years. It could be argued that by comparison with his former Genesis band members Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins and Mike Rutherford, Steve’s music has perhaps less commercial appeal than the others but his musical output has surpassed them all:- more than 30 solo albums in addition to the seven he did with Genesis, as well as his notable collaborations with artists such as Rick Wakeman, Chris Squire and the “supergroup” GTR together with Steve Howe of Yes.
In addition, regular touring has ensured that his fan base has remained loyal over the decades. Perhaps even more interest has been generated by Steve returning to the Genesis back-catalogue extensively in performance for the first time in many years as a result of his recent Genesis Revisited albums, which feature new versions of many old classics. For die-hard fans this was an undoubted bonus.
Moreover, as well as the Genesis material Steve has a new album to promote –The Night Siren which features some highly eclectic influences from around the world.
The evening was billed as “Genesis Revisited with Classic Hackett” and this billing certainly ‘did what it said on the tin’. The first half featured selections from Steve’s prodigious solo work. Tracks from the new album such as Rise Again and Behind The Smoke blended well with some classic Hackett from the late 70’s onwards, particularly the atmospheric The Steppes and the memorable first half finale Shadow of The Heirophant which dates right back to Steve’s first solo album Voyage of the Acolyte.
However, you could sense that most of the mature audience were there for the Genesis material after the interval and they were not to be disappointed. The band were joined by enigmatic vocalist Ned Sylvan for a set that drew heavily on Wind and Wuthering, a seminal album which has recently celebrated its fortieth birthday (a statistic that makes this reviewer feel rather old.)
In addition, regular touring has ensured that his fan base has remained loyal over the decades. Perhaps even more interest has been generated by Steve returning to the Genesis back-catalogue extensively in performance for the first time in many years as a result of his recent Genesis Revisited albums, which feature new versions of many old classics. For die-hard fans this was an undoubted bonus.
Moreover, as well as the Genesis material Steve has a new album to promote –The Night Siren which features some highly eclectic influences from around the world.
The evening was billed as “Genesis Revisited with Classic Hackett” and this billing certainly ‘did what it said on the tin’. The first half featured selections from Steve’s prodigious solo work. Tracks from the new album such as Rise Again and Behind The Smoke blended well with some classic Hackett from the late 70’s onwards, particularly the atmospheric The Steppes and the memorable first half finale Shadow of The Heirophant which dates right back to Steve’s first solo album Voyage of the Acolyte.
However, you could sense that most of the mature audience were there for the Genesis material after the interval and they were not to be disappointed. The band were joined by enigmatic vocalist Ned Sylvan for a set that drew heavily on Wind and Wuthering, a seminal album which has recently celebrated its fortieth birthday (a statistic that makes this reviewer feel rather old.)
Aided by great sound and an imaginative light show, this part of the evening featured a feast of classic Genesis and it was delivered with quality musicianship by Steve’s fellow band mates; Roger King on keyboards; Gary O’Toole on drums, percussion and vocals; Rob Townsend on saxes and flutes; and Nick Beggs on bass, stick and twelve string (and formerly a member of the 80’s pop band Kajagoogoo – remember Too Shy anyone?)
There were welcome renditions of Eleventh Earl of Mar, Blood on the Rooftops (featuring some great acoustic guitar,) the haunting Afterglow, a thumping Dance On A Volcano, and the majestic Firth of Fifth all featuring the memorable Hackett sound. The mighty Los Endos brought the evening to a rousing finale, and the band were given a standing ovation and rapturous applause – deservedly so after two and a half hours.
I guess the greatest compliment you could pay is that it did make you feel like going through all your old vinyl and cd’s when you got home and listen to this great music all over again. That’s my plan anyway! Here’s hoping we see you again soon Steve.
Review: James Carter
There were welcome renditions of Eleventh Earl of Mar, Blood on the Rooftops (featuring some great acoustic guitar,) the haunting Afterglow, a thumping Dance On A Volcano, and the majestic Firth of Fifth all featuring the memorable Hackett sound. The mighty Los Endos brought the evening to a rousing finale, and the band were given a standing ovation and rapturous applause – deservedly so after two and a half hours.
I guess the greatest compliment you could pay is that it did make you feel like going through all your old vinyl and cd’s when you got home and listen to this great music all over again. That’s my plan anyway! Here’s hoping we see you again soon Steve.
Review: James Carter
Steve Hackett enjoying the Southend sunshine before his gig at the Cliffs Pavilion on Wednesday night
Click here for our interview with Steve Hackett