SPECTRAL MORNINGS

The Gabriel/ Hackett era of Genesis is by far my favourite for the band. By the time I was able to see the band perform live, Gabriel had left but I saw Steve Hackett in the band a couple of times before he left in 1977. I bought his first solo albums but, for some reason, I didn't buy Spectral Mornings on its release and it is only in the last 15 years that I have fully appreciated this fine album within what is now a huge body of work over 44 years. The guitar performances throughout are a delight as you would expect. There are eight very different tracks on the album which range from the light-hearted through oriental, folk and melancholy styles. The album opens with Every Day, a foot tapping rocker with a beautiful melodic theme which builds to a glorious conclusion and is probably my favourite track. The Virgin and the Gypsy is a lovely lullaby. The Red Flower Of Tachai Blooms Everywhere is a delightful oriental instrumental. Clocks ? The Angel Of Mons opens like a noisy mantelpiece ticking clock followed by an edgy theme that develops into a typical Hackett rocker that closes with a dramatic drum solo. The Ballad of the Decomposing Man and Tigermoth are the lighter humorous tracks that are both enjoyable and add to the variety of the album. Lost Time In Cordoba is a lovely folksey instrumental and the album closes with the anthemic Spectral Mornings. A brilliant album.