It featured heavy contributions from Genesis bandmates Phil Collins together with Mike Rutherford. In an interview amongst Phoenix FM Hackett stated that exactly about of the tracks, especially "Shadow of the Hierophant," were rehearsed past times Genesis during the writing together with recording of Foxtrot inwards 1972.[2]
The album went argent inwards the UK. In a 1987 MTV interview Genesis keyboardist Tony Banks stated that the album didn't produce much for Genesis, nevertheless it is considered past times many Genesis fans to live on a lost Genesis album.
The tracks are named after, or amongst reference to, the Minor together with Major Trumps of the Tarot menu deck.
The album was reissued inwards 2005 past times Virgin Records, together with inwards the United States of America inwards 2006 past times Astralwerks, featuring bonus tracks.
Best known equally the primary guitarist for Genesis from 1971 to 1977, Steve Hackett has long been regarded equally 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), together with the drama of classical-like buildups (Shadow of the Hierophant.) In lodge to perform progrock, y'all had to convey the skills to clit off a broad hit of musical moods.
Three vocalists contribute a diversity of styles-- Steve himself delivers a serenity folkish song, Phil Collins his high together with airy style, together with an operatic approach from soprano Sally Oldfield (sister of Mike Oldfield). Steve's blood brother John Hackett is superb on flute together with ARP synthesizer, patch John Acock provides moody keyboard backdrops. Steve himself gives a to a greater extent than restrained functioning than y'all would aspect from a atomic number 82 guitarist permit loose on his kickoff solo album, but his allegiance if kickoff together with foremost to compositional development, equally 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 kickoff albums I bought on CD, together with I was glad to buy it ane time again for the improved quality. If y'all desire to laid out to explore Steve Hackett's career, or exactly desire to relive a peak of the genre, start correct hither inwards 1975 when progrock was soundless ane of the virtually commercially uncompromised genres inwards the history of pop music.
Recorded inwards June/July of 1975 (soon subsequently Peter Gabriel left Genesis), this debut solo album past times Steve to a greater extent than or less pointed inwards the direction that Genesis would go next the Lamb Lies downwardly on Broadway (1974). The album was equally good somewhat successful together with reached No. 26 inwards England together with 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 exactly about of the guys inwards Genesis.
Joining Steve (electric together with acoustic guitars; mellotron; harmonium, bells, autoharp, vocal, effects) were Genesis mates Mike Rutherford (bass guitar, Taurus bass pedals, fuzz 12-string); together with 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); together with Nigel Warren-Green (cello). For those of y'all Brand X fans out in that location (like me) Percy Jones contributes an first-class bass purpose on Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Tower Struck Down. The musicians on this album are all first-class together with I loved hearing Phil's drumming, non to nurture his vocal contributions. Steve of course, shines throughout together with his playing is both fragile together with adventurous.
The 8 tracks on the album hit inwards length from 1'34" to 11'45" - the pieces are all superb together with it is clear that Steve was (and is) an first-class composer. This is a rattling good recorded together with soft album loaded amongst dreamy mellotron together with warm synthesizer tones all over the place. Steve contributes exactly about absolutely gorgeous together with haunting acoustic guitar pieces together with the proggy grouping workouts on tracks similar Star of Sirius are a nifty bargain of fun to brain to. All of the tracks menstruum together nicely together with appear to shape a larger run of sorts. I convey to acknowledge that this is easily my favorite Genesis - related solo album.
This was a good recorded album to laid out amongst together with the sound lineament is only excellent.
Voyage of the Acolyte ultimately gave Steve the impetus he needed to suspension off from Genesis (after having his ideas squashed) together with strike out on his own. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 only superb album that is rattling highly recommended along amongst the Genesis albums Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Trick of the Tail (1976) together with the moody Wind together with Wuthering (1976). By the way, Wind together with Wuthering would live on Steve's concluding album amongst Genesis together with presents exactly about of his finest playing amongst the group.
I bought this on import LP inwards 1975 together with convey been listening to it a yoke of times a yr 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 convey never heard before. I fifty-fifty compared this to the initial CD unloosen together with in that location is no comparison. The acoustic instruments convey much to a greater extent than depth together with presence. The electrical soundstage is good balanced. For the kickoff time, the bass together with bass pedals tin flame live on heard inwards amount depth together with brilliance. There could live on exactly about serious foundation shaking amongst the correct subwoofer. I ever believed this LP could convey represent comfortably betwixt Foxtrot together with Selling England if Genesis had recorded it. The exclusively matter that keeps this run from existence a truthful Genesis projection is the absence of Peter Gabriel's vocals together with flute playing. This recording IS that good. It has ever been my favorite Hackett release. You quest 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 together with coughing
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