GENESIS REVISITED II

I really enjoyed Steve's 'Genesis Revisted album', released in 1996. For that album he brought in a superb line up of musicians to help him to offer his own interpretations of classic Genesis material. Some of the new versions were more radically different than others, and some worked better than others. The highlight for me was the magnificent 'Firth of Fifth'. While it was still clearly recognisable as the classic song it was and is, the 'Genesis Revisted' version brought a new dimension to the song, creating a brand new masterpiece while revering an old classic.

My optimism was high then when Hackett released this new set of songs under the name 'Genesis Revisted II'. I assumed from the title that the objective would be the same, and that I would be presented with more old favourites in new clothes. It is therefore with some disappointment that I have to report that the sense of adventure and the willingness to deviate are totally absent this time around. The line up remains strong and the musicianship undeniably top notch, and there perhaps lies the rub.

A quick look at the track list will confirm that some of Genesis' finest moments are included here. With 'Supper's ready', 'The Musical Box', 'Dancing with the moonlit knight', 'Ripples' etc. all present, we have are two generously filled CDs of familiar songs. This is an album I could listen to time and time again. It is a sort of 'Best of Genesis' compilation with each song played perfectly. So what is my problem? Well it's just that, every song is played perfectly. It is very hard at times to remember that this is not a Genesis album. It's like listening to the old favourites played by the best musicians and presented on the finest hi-fi in the world. It's just too perfect and thus too clinical.

If I want to hear the Genesis version of 'Supper's ready', I'll play 'Foxtrot'. That for me is the definitive version, warts and all. When it comes to cover versions, I would prefer to hear an interpretation of the piece of music the artist has chosen pay tribute to. I do not want to hear a version that simply recreates the original piece.

I know I am being a bit unfair here, so while I am at it I will also have a quick whinge about the fact that there are several songs here that are not Genesis songs at all, indeed one or two may have been rejected by the band. I think there's an element of slight of hand going on when you market the album as a Genesis tribute then include some of your solo work on it, excellent though it is.

I readily apologise for such a negative review of what is a very enjoyable album indeed. I do wonder though, what was the point?

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