It featured heavy contributions from Genesis bandmates Phil Collins as well as Mike Rutherford. In an interview amongst Phoenix FM Hackett stated that around of the tracks, particularly "Shadow of the Hierophant," were rehearsed past times Genesis during the writing as well as recording of Foxtrot inwards 1972.[2]
The album went silvery inwards the UK. In a 1987 MTV interview Genesis keyboardist Tony Banks stated that the album didn't utilisation much for Genesis, nevertheless it is considered past times many Genesis fans to hold upwards a lost Genesis album.
The tracks are named after, or amongst reference to, the Minor as well as Major Trumps of the Tarot menu deck.
The album was reissued inwards 2005 past times Virgin Records, as well as inwards the USA inwards 2006 past times Astralwerks, featuring bonus tracks.
Best known every bit the primary guitarist for Genesis from 1971 to 1977, Steve Hackett has long been regarded every bit ane of the leading progressive stone guitarists of his generation. This remastered pressing of his 1975 album features 10 tracks including the 2 bonus tracks 'Ace Of Wands' (live) & 'Shadow Of The Hierophant' (extended playout version). EMI. 2005.
This is rightly considered ane of the masterpieces of progressive rock. It has the whole spectrum of the genre-- great, unpredictable arrangements (Ace of Wands), esoteric lyrics (The Hermit, Star of Sirius, Shadow of the Hierophant), manic instrumental sections (The Tower Struck Down), astoundingly beautiful moments (Hands of the Priestess), as well as the drama of classical-like buildups (Shadow of the Hierophant.) In lodge to perform progrock, you lot had to accept the skills to trace off a broad make of musical moods.
Three vocalists contribute a diversity of styles-- Steve himself delivers a repose folkish song, Phil Collins his high as well as airy style, as well as an operatic approach from soprano Sally Oldfield (sister of Mike Oldfield). Steve's blood brother John Hackett is superb on flute as well as ARP synthesizer, patch John Acock provides moody keyboard backdrops. Steve himself gives a to a greater extent than restrained surgical operation than you lot would await from a Pb guitarist allow loose on his outset solo album, but his allegiance if outset as well as firstly to compositional development, every bit was the tradition inwards progrock.
I'm non much of an audiophile, but I noticed the improvement inwards this disc immediately. This was ane of the outset albums I bought on CD, as well as I was glad to buy it in ane lawsuit again for the improved quality. If you lot desire to laid about to explore Steve Hackett's career, or precisely desire to relive a peak of the genre, start correct hither inwards 1975 when progrock was soundless ane of the around commercially uncompromised genres inwards the history of pop music.
Recorded inwards June/July of 1975 (soon afterward Peter Gabriel left Genesis), this debut solo album past times Steve to a greater extent than or less pointed inwards the administration that Genesis would go next the Lamb Lies downwardly on Broadway (1974). The album was besides somewhat successful as well as reached No. 26 inwards England as well as No. 191 inwards America, which was a source of encouragement for the guys inwards Genesis (they were recording Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Trick of the Tail at the time). More importantly however, Voyage of the Acolyte gave Steve an chance to tape music that had been dismissed past times around of the guys inwards Genesis.
Joining Steve (electric as well as acoustic guitars; mellotron; harmonium, bells, autoharp, vocal, effects) were Genesis mates Mike Rutherford (bass guitar, Taurus bass pedals, fuzz 12-string); as well as Phil Collins (drums, percussion, vibes, vocals); along amongst Steve's blood brother John Hackett (flute, ARP synthesizer, bells); keyboardist John Acock (Elka Rhapsody, mellotron, harmonium, piano); Sally Oldfield (vocal); Robin Miller (oboe, cor anglais); as well as Nigel Warren-Green (cello). For those of you lot Brand X fans out at that spot (like me) Percy Jones contributes an fantabulous bass part on Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Tower Struck Down. The musicians on this album are all fantabulous as well as I loved hearing Phil's drumming, non to cite his vocal contributions. Steve of course, shines throughout as well as his playing is both frail as well as adventurous.
The 8 tracks on the album make inwards length from 1'34" to 11'45" - the pieces are all superb as well as it is clear that Steve was (and is) an fantabulous composer. This is a rattling good recorded as well as soft album loaded amongst dreamy mellotron as well as warm synthesizer tones all over the place. Steve contributes around absolutely gorgeous as well as haunting acoustic guitar pieces as well as the proggy grouping workouts on tracks similar Star of Sirius are a slap-up bargain of fun to nous to. All of the tracks menstruation together nicely as well as appear to shape a larger operate of sorts. I accept to acknowledge that this is easily my favorite Genesis - related solo album.
This was a good recorded album to laid about amongst as well as the sound lineament is precisely excellent.
Voyage of the Acolyte ultimately gave Steve the impetus he needed to intermission off from Genesis (after having his ideas squashed) as well as strike out on his own. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 precisely superb album that is rattling highly recommended along amongst the Genesis albums Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Trick of the Tail (1976) as well as the moody Wind as well as Wuthering (1976). By the way, Wind as well as Wuthering would hold upwards Steve's terminal album amongst Genesis as well as presents around of his finest playing amongst the group.
I bought this on import LP inwards 1975 as well as accept been listening to it a couplet of times a twelvemonth for 32 years. I know this recording. At to the lowest degree I thought I did. The remastering of this music is steller. I am hearing things inwards this original mix that I accept never heard before. I fifty-fifty compared this to the initial CD liberate as well as at that spot is no comparison. The acoustic instruments accept much to a greater extent than depth as well as presence. The electrical soundstage is good balanced. For the outset time, the bass as well as bass pedals tin hold upwards heard inwards amount depth as well as brilliance. There could hold upwards around serious foundation shaking amongst the correct subwoofer. I e'er believed this LP could accept tally comfortably betwixt Foxtrot as well as Selling England if Genesis had recorded it. The exclusively affair that keeps this operate from beingness a truthful Genesis projection is the absence of Peter Gabriel's vocals as well as flute playing. This recording IS that good. It has e'er been my favorite Hackett release. You demand to add together this to your collection.
Track listing
All songs written past times Steve Hackett, except where indicated.
1. "Ace of Wands" – 5:23
2. "Hands of the Priestess, Part I" – 3:28
3. "A Tower Struck Down" (Steve Hackett, John Hackett) – 4:53
4. "Hands of the Priestess, Part II" – 1:31
5. "The Hermit" – 4:49
6. "Star of Sirius" – 7:08
7. "The Lovers" – 1:50
8. "Shadow of the Hierophant" (Steve Hackett, Mike Rutherford) – 11:44
2005 Remaster Bonus Tracks
9. "Ace of Wands" (Live) – 6:32
10. "Shadow of the Hierophant" (Extended Playout Version) – 17:01
Personnel
- Steve Hackett / electrical & acoustic guitar, Mellotron, harmonium, bells, autoharp, vocal, effects
- John Hackett / flute, Arp synthetizer, bells
- Mike Rutherford / bass guitar, bass pedals, Fuzz 12-String
- Phil Collins / drums, vibes, percussion, vocals
- John Acock / Elka, Rhapsody, Mellotron, harmonium, pianoforte
- Sally Oldfield / vocal
- Robin Miller / oboe, cor Anglais
- Nigel Warren-Green / solo cello
- Percy Jones / extra bass on "Tower"
- Johnny Gustafson / bass on "Star"
- Steve Tobin / parrot as well as coughing
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