Genesis Revisited II

Stuck in the music of the past

A real reunion of Genesis in their best lineup will remain a dream and nothing more, and only hardcore fans of the ensemble still do not want to or even are not able to put up with this fact. As for the members of the band themselves, there can be no doubt that the golden era of the seventies, the time of the rise of progressive rock in general and Genesis in particular is especially treasured by guitarist Steve Hackett. This brilliant instrumentalist simply seems reluctant to leave behind the music of the past, and in each of his new works he looks back at the old material rather than seeks something new. From time to time, Hackett just records collection of new versions of Genesis songs. That happened in 1996 when he released Watcher Of The Skies. And that repeated in 2012 when Steve prepared a more substantial compilation on two CDs united under the title Genesis Revisited II.

The originals have a new exterior, but the inside is the same

As an author of most of Genesis songs, Steve Hackett had all the moral right to modify the band’s original material borrowed for the Genesis Revisited II collection to any extent or taste he liked. However, the corrections that were made to these songs can be compared rather to new makeup or image, than to plastic surgery. Arguably, the most distinguished innovation is the vocal performances provided by a group of prominent singers presenting also the progressive rock community. Steven Wilson from Porcupine Tree contributed an unsurpassed singing to Can-Utility And The Coastliners, John Wetton (King Crimson) put his heart and soul into Afterglow, and the unexpected appearance of Michael Akerfeldt from the doom-death outfit Opeth seems nearly the best possible solution for the epic Supper’s Ready. In the meantime Steve extended solos here and there and in some places added interesting acoustic intros like in The Chamber Of 32 Doors. All these operations were executed accurately and always for the right reason. What else would you expect from Hackett who wrote all these songs many years ago and knows better than anybody else how they should sound, what can be removed and what must be preserved anyway.

Hackett is what Genesis is

The fresh part of Genesis Revisited II is its form, or its sounding, but not the content. However, the application of modern technical means make some of the songs really come out differently. Thus, Dancing With The Moonlit Knight has become more expressive owing to a thicker and more spacious sound, which is automatically noticed once you put it against the acoustically flat original. And you do not have to listen to both CDs of Genesis Revisited II to make one easy conclusion. Unless you are a desperate fan of Peter Gabriel whose voice rings in all the originals, then, chances are you will find the new variants even more appealing. Steve was considering not only the voices, but artistic manners, deliveries of these vocalists, finding the best matches to each particular song, which helped him create an amazing collection where every new version is not only a perfect example of flawless instrumental work, but a deeply touching piece of art. In a particular sense, these are not Genesis covers, but genesis itself, considering the fact that the progressive rock in the music of this ensemble was Hackett’s contribution and initiative. After his departure, Genesis started moving towards another music, but this is a different story.