Genre: PROGRESSIVE ROCK
Released by: Century Media/Inside Out
Release date: 24th June 2016
Line up:
Steve Hackett – Guitar, Vocals
Roger King – Keyboards
Nad Sylvan – Vocals, Tambourine
Gary O’Toole – Drums, Percussion, Vocals
Rob Townsend – Saxophone, Woodwind, Percussion, Vocals, Keyboards, Bass Pedals
Roine Stolt – Bass, Variax, Twelve String, Vocals, Guitar
With Special Guests: John Hackett, Amanda Lehmann
2 CD + 2 DVD Digipak
CD1:
- Corycian Fire Intro 8. Loving Sea
- Spectral Mornings 9. Jacuzzi
- Out of the Body 10. Icarus Ascending
- Wolflight 11. Star of Sirius
- Every Day 12. Ace of Wands
- Love Song to a Vampire 13. A Tower Struck Down
- The Wheel’s Turning
CD2:
- Shadow of the Hierophant
- Get ‘em out by Friday
- Can-Utility and the Coastliners
- After the Ordeal
- The Cinema Show
- Aisle of Plenty
- The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway
- The Musical Box
- Clocks
- Firth of Fifth
DVD 1:
- Corycian Fire Intro
- Spectral Mornings
- Out of the Body
- Wolflight
- Every Day
- Love Song to a Vampire
- The Wheel’s Turning
- Loving Sea
- Jacuzzi
- Icarus Ascending
- Star of Sirius
- Ace of Wands
- A Tower Struck Down
- Shadow of the Hierophant
- Get ‘em out by Friday
- Can-Utility and the Coastliners
- After the Ordeal
- The Cinema Show
- Aisle of Plenty
- The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway
- The Musical Box
- Clocks
- Firth of Fifth
DVD 2:
LIVE IN LIVERPOOL – Behind the Scenes
SOMEWHERE SOUTH OF THE RIVER – Rehearsal Documentary
2015 was an extremely productive year for pioneering Progressive Rock guitarist Steve Hackett. He celebrated his 40 year solo career with the release of Wolflight – his 17th studio album, toured extensively, and in October of 2015 Premonitions – The Charisma recordings box set was released.
When Steve was informed that he could film a British gig from the “Acolyte to Wolflight with Genesis Revisited” Tour he opted for Liverpool. He describes Liverpool Philharmonic Hall as an extraordinary venue and expresses a general affinity for Liverpool and its musical associations when describing his location of choice.
DVD 1
The DVD briefly catches Steve in the dressing room prior to his stage entrance where he launches into the Corycian Fire intro before a clearly attentive and captivated audience.
As is common in progressive music, the start of the concert sees the songs blend into each other making it difficult to differentiate between them but he breaks for applause and introductions after a stunning version of Wolflight is performed and chats casually to the assemblage about his solo career, career with Genesis and the diversity of his music.
Every Day, which is up next features guest Amanda Lehmann on guitar and vocals as does the following track Love Song to a Vampire and Shadow of the Hierophant. Amanda suits Steve’s style of music and has clearly proved a great attribute to the show. Jacuzzi sees Steve joined on stage by his brother, flautist John Hackett and the two perform fantastically together – as they have been doing for years.
The calibre of musicians performing on this release is exceptionally high. The gig was filmed with no prior rehearsals so it’s pretty obvious that Mr Hackett knew exactly what he would get out of them and had every confidence in their abilities.
Musically this DVD more or less does what it says on the tin although it is played more in the order of Wolflight to Acolyte, Steve enthusiastically showcasing the highlights of his latest production. The first half of the lengthy set concentrates on these two albums with a few other tracks thrown in for good measure. The second half features 7 Genesis classics before Steve bows out to rapturous applause then returns with the encore Clocks – which features a sensational drum extravaganza and then Firth of Fifth which demonstrates one of Steves most celebrated guitar solos. Steve is awarded a standing ovation from the enthralled crowd before departing once more, a grin of pride and satisfaction gracing his face.
DVD 2
This documentary offers a fascinating two part insight into what goes on back stage. It catches Steve chatting with fans and signing autographs before examining some of the technicalities of the Steve Hackett experience.
We get to hear from band members and crew and gain a better understanding of the considerable work involved in putting the tour together.
When the camera flits between Steve chatting in a relaxed setting, he contemplates his extensive career and reflects with pride that when John Lennon gave an interview to a New York radio station in 1973, he remarked that Genesis was one of the bands he was listening to at the time – apparently Selling England by the Pound was a favourite album of his.
Steve speaks of how proud he is of the tour generally and his surprise at how many people like his material as he tends to do exactly what he likes musically.
Part two of DVD 2 shows the band in rehearsals “Somewhere South of the River” and aside from the innovative talent of Steve himself, I was absolutely overwhelmed by the technique and expertise of drummer Gary O’Toole – featured practising his drum solo.
Still going strong after 40+ years, Steve Hackett is widely regarded as one of the most influential guitarists in the history of Progressive Rock. Never one to shy away from experimentation, he has a strong fan base who welcome the diversity of his techniques.
Some may say Steve Hackett is an acquired taste, as is Prog generally, but if you have acquired it your not going to want to miss this celebration of his career to date…
REVIEW: Karen Hetherington
SCORE: 8/10
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