Hackett, Steve - The Tokyo Tapes

Year of Release: 1997
Label: Camino
Catalog Number: 1 5567 2
Format: CD
Total Time: 00:00:00

"What would it sound like if occasional members of Genesis, King Cirmson, Asia, Yes, Zappa and Weather Report all got together to form a unique team just for one night?" That was the question asked by Steve Hackett when he was approached to perform in Japan. One night eventually became more than one night, highlights of the shows recorded on 16th and 17th december 1996 being transferred onto this double disc.

Although most of the material comes from the Hackett output, whether solo or with Genesis, the addition of the extra members certainly justifies the inclusion of other prog "classics" as well, which makes for a diverse and pleasant journey. Opening with the majestic sounds of the glorious mellotron in "Watcher Of The Skies," the audience, and you at home, certainly are in for a treat. Some other Genesis highlights included are "Firth Of Fifth," "In That Quiet Earth," "Los Endos," and "I Know What I Like." The inclusion of Ian Mc Donald introduces King Crimson classics such as "The Court Of The Crimson King" and "I Talk To The Wind" both sporting some great flute playing by Ian. Having John Wetton at hand obviously adds not only a great bass player to the line-up, but also some of the best vocals in the domain of prog. Here Wetton choses his very own "Battlelines" and an all-time Asia favourite "Heat Of The Moment." And all the rest of the material is solo Hackett stuff.

The balance between pure band product and solo highlights makes this a wonderful album to enjoy. Just marvel at the acoustic beauty of "Horizons." Whilst each and every musician really shines on this album, getting in the spotlight more than once, Julian Colbeck is the only one not really having a solo piece. Maybe that?s why Hackett has "used" Colbeck?s lush symphonic arrangements on "Walking Away From Rainbows"?

The ominous "Shadow Of The Hierophant" also includes a drum solo by Chester Thompson here before evolving into "Los Endos," which also incorporates a rather jazzy, avantgarde sax solo from Ian Mc Donald. Once again these "hard" sounds get the counterbalance of an acoustic piece with "Black Light." Subtle flute playing introduces the sombre bass guitar and wall of mellotron that forms the backbone for "The Steppes." The actual live recording closes with a funky version of "I Know What I Like" which we could already witness on the Genesis Revisited album. From a vocal point of view it sounds a bit like a rush job, which is a shame as this really is one of the classics here.

The set closes with two new studio recordings of Steve along with Aron Friedman on keyboards and programming. Although "Firewall" starts with a rather "cheap sounding" drum machine the guitar picks up a great melody in order to change the direction of the song. Towards the end some nice piano is added as well. The closing song, "The Dealer," has Jeff Beck written all over it! It has Hackett flirting with new sounds and new rhythms to make this a very interesting track indeed.

The Tokyo Tapes is not only a great asset to any progfan's collection, it's also an ideal introduction to the wonderful world of prog for those who are just getting to know the genre because it includes so many highlights of the Genesis, King Crimson, Asia and John Wetton vaults. Certainly worth investigating (and having)!

Tracklisting:
Disc One: Watcher Of The Skies / Riding The Colossus / Firth Of Fifth / Battlelines / Camino Royale / The Curt Of The Crimson King / Horizons / Walking Away From Rainbows / Heat Of The Moment

Disc Two: In That Quiet Earth / Vampyre With A Healthy Appetite / I Talk To The Wind / Shadow Of The Hierophant / Los Endos / Black Light / The Steppes / I Know What I Lik / Firewall (New Studio Track) / The Dealer (New Studio Track)

Musicians:
Steve Hackett - guitars, harmonica, vocals
John Wetton - bass, vocals
Chester Thompson - drums
Ian Mc Donald - saxophone, flute, guitar, keyboards, vocals
Julian Colbeck - keyboards, vocals

Discography:
Genesis - Nursery Crime (1971)
Genesis - Foxtrot (1972)
Genesis - Live (1973)
Genesis - Selling England By The Pound (1973)
Genesis - Lamb Lies Down On Broadway (1974)
Voyage Of The Acolyte (1975)
Genesis - Wind And Wuthering (1976)
Genesis - Trick Of The Tail (1976)
Genesis - Seconds Out (1977)
Please Don't Touch (1978)
Spectral Mornings (1979)
Defector (1980)
Cured (1981)
Highly Strung (1983)
Bay Of Kings (1983)
Til We Have Faces (1983)
GTR - GTR (1986)
Momentum (1988)
Genesis - Three Sides Live (1982)
Genesis - Genesis Archive 1967-75 (1988)
Time Lapse (1992)
The Unauthorised Biography (1992)
Guitar Noir (1994)
Blues With A Feeling (1994)
There Are Many Sides To The Night (1994)
A Midsummer's Night Dream (1997)
Watcher Of The Skies: Genesis Revisited (1997)
The Tokyo Tapes (1997)
Darktown (1999)
Genesis - Genesis - Turn It On Again (1999)
Sketches Of Satie (2000) (w/John Hackett)
Feedback '86 (2000)
Genesis - Genesis Archive #2 (2000)
Live Archive 70s 80s 90s (2001)
Live Archive - Newcastle (2001)
To Watch The Storms (2003)
Live Archive NEARfest (2003)
Live Archive 03 (2004)
Live Archive 04 (2004)
Genesis - The Platinum Collection (2004)
Metamorpheus (2005) (w/The Underworld Orchestra)
Live Archive 05 (2005)
Live Archive 83 (2006)
Wild Orchids (2006)
Tribute (2008)
Out Of The Tunnel's Mouth (2010)
Beyond The Shrouded Horizon (2011)
Genesis Revisited II (2012)
Wolflight (2015)
THe Night Siren (2017)
At The Edge Of Light (2019)

Steve Hackett Live (VHS) (1981)
The Tokyo Tapes (DVD) (1998)
Hungarian Horizons - Live In Budapest (DVD) (2003)
Somewhere In South America - Live In Buenos Aires (DVD) (2003)
Once Upon A Time (DVD) (2004)
Spectral Mornings (DVD) (rec 1978; rel 2005)
Fire & Ice (DVD) (2011)
Genesis Revisited: Live At Hammersmith (2013)
Genesis Revisited: Live At The Royal Albert Hall (2013)
The Total Experience Live In Liverpool - Acolyte To Wolflight with Genesis Classics (2016)
Wuthering Heights - Live In Birmingham (2018)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin UK

Added: November 4th 2000
Reviewer: John "Bobo" Bollenberg

Artist website: www.hackettsongs.com
Hits: 3130
Language: english