The Tokyo Tapes (1998) by Steve Hackett.
I have spoken at length about the great Steve Hackett on the occasion of the many reviews of his works with Genesis, his solo works and those in which he has been engaged in parallel projects.
The Tokyo Tapes captures the essence of two memorable concerts held on December 16 and 17, 1996 at Koseinenkin Hall in Tokyo. Initially conceived as a one-off event to promote the studio album Genesis Revisited (1996), the overwhelming success of the dates led to the release of a double CD and, subsequently, a video concert.
The repertoire ranges from Genesis classics to Hackett's solo tracks, passing through King Crimson and Asia, an exclusive show in Japan, which has become a historical document of the genre.
Hackett has put together a killer band for all prog rock fans, with musicians who have played in the most important bands of the genre:
- Steve Hackett (Genesis): Guitar, harmonica and vocals.
- John Wetton (King Crimson, Asia): bass, guitar and lead vocals.
- Ian McDonald (King Crimson, Foreigner): Flute, saxophone, guitar, keyboards and vocals.
- Chester Thompson (Genesis, Frank Zappa): drums.
- Julian Colbeck (Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe): Keyboards and vocals.
The tracklist of the 3-vinyl version (released for Record Store Day 2022), is simply spectacular.
LP 1 - Lato A
Watcher of the Skies (Genesis, Foxtrot - 1972)
Riding the Colossus (Steve Hackett, Genesis Revisited - 1996)
Firth of Fifth (Genesis, Selling England by the Pound - 1973)
LP 1 - Lato B
Battlelines (John Wetton, Battle Lines - 1994)
Camino Royale (Steve Hackett, Highly Strung - 1983)
The Court of the Crimson King (King Crimson, In the Court of the Crimson King - 1969)
LP 2 - Lato C
Horizons (Genesis, Foxtrot - 1972)
Walking Away from Rainbows (Steve Hackett, Guitar Noir - 1993)
Heat of the Moment (Asia, Asia - 1982)
... In That Quiet Earth (Genesis, Wind & Wuthering - 1976)
Vampyre with a Healthy Appetite (Steve Hackett, Guitar Noir - 1993)
LP 2 - Lato D
I Talk to the Wind (King Crimson, In the Court of the Crimson King - 1969)
Shadow of the Hierophant (Steve Hackett, Voyage of the Acolyte - 1975)
Los Endos (Genesis, A Trick of the Tail - 1976)
LP 3 - Lato E
Black Light (Steve Hackett, Bay of Kings - 1983)
The Steppes (Steve Hackett, Defector - 1980)
I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe) (Genesis, Selling England by the Pound - 1973)
LP 3 - Lato F (Studio Tracks)
Firewall – Steve Hackett (inedito 1997)
The Dealer – Steve Hackett (inedito 1997)
All Along the Watchtower – Cover di Bob Dylan (recorded in studio with John Wetton for the 2014 reissue)
This album is a real bombshell, with some very high moments and memorable versions of progressive rock classics. Take "Firth of Fifth", for example: Hackett's guitar solo is one of the most exciting of his career, and Chester Thompson's drums are as precise as only he can. "The Court of the Crimson King" is another live masterpiece version: hearing Ian McDonald (a founding member of King Crimson) play the flute and mellotron together with the powerful voice of John Wetton is a unique experience. "Shadow of the Hierophant", which is usually shortened in concerts, is played here with all its majesty, just like in 1975. The Thompson/Wetton rhythm section transforms the finale into a hypnotic and powerful crescendo. And then there's "I Talk to the Wind", a real gem: McDonald's flute and the soft atmosphere created by Hackett on acoustic guitar are pure prog poetry. Finally, "Watcher of the Skies", which even though it doesn't have Banks' original mellotron, has a new energy and a modern sound that makes it one of the best post-Genesis reinterpretations.
Each of the musicians brings a fundamental contribution by integrating perfectly with the others creating a sound that is simultaneously Genesis, King Crimson and Asia.
Steve Hackett, the group's director, is not content to re-perform his strong pieces. Use the album to showcase its incredible versatility. He naturally switches from electric neoclassical tapping to the delicate touch of classical guitar. Also not to be missed is the use of the harmonica in "Camino Royale", which adds an unexpected blues nuance to the genre.
John Wetton delivers a memorable performance, enhanced by his powerful and melancholic voice, fantastic in songs such as "The Court of the Crimson King" but not only. His aggressive and distorted bass style, a legacy of his time in King Crimson, gives Genesis songs a decidedly more pronounced hard-prog sound than the original versions.
Ian McDonald is exceptional on flute, and his contribution on saxophone and keyboards enriches the sound, giving it an orchestral quality that enhances the most epic moments.
Chester Thompson, Genesis' live drummer for decades, is the true soul of the band. His performance in "Los Endos" is simply masterful. Thanks to his experience with Frank Zappa, Thompson manages to blend progressive rock with jazz-fusion, giving the songs a rhythmic drive that far exceeds the studio versions of Genesis.
Julian Colbeck offers an interpretation on keyboards essential to recreate Tony Banks' complex arrangements, masterfully balancing modernity and fidelity to the sounds of the 70s.
The dialogue between Steve Hackett's guitar and Ian McDonald's flute is particularly fascinating on tracks like "I Talk to the Wind" and "Shadow of the Hierophant." The two musicians do not just play together, but "respond" to each other in an almost chamber understanding, creating a rich and complex sound interweaving. Hackett uses the volume of the guitar to obtain violin-like sounds (violining), while McDonald's flute adds that human and pastoral breath typical of early British prog. Steve's guitar is often enriched with effects such as delay and harmonic distortion, while Ian's flute remains pure, almost naked. This contrast of timbres makes the texture of the songs extremely varied and never banal.
The album is full of solo moments by the musicians, with exceptional solos. Steve Hackett stands out on guitar, with iconic solos on almost every track, especially on "Firth of Fifth" (a solo in pure Genesis style), "Camino Royale" (a long improvisation), "Shadow of the Hierophant" and "The Steppes". In "Camino Royale" he also tries his hand at the harmonica.
Chester Thompson delivers a spectacular drum solo within the final suite "Los Endos", showing his powerful style, already appreciated in Genesis.
Ian McDonald enchants with jazzy sax and flute solos in "I Talk to the Wind" and "The Court of the Crimson King".
John Wetton delivers great bass solos on "Battlelines" and intense vocal solo moments on "Heat of the Moment."
Julian Colbeck shines with his synthesizer and keyboard solos, especially on "Watcher of the Skies" and "Shadow of the Hierophant".
Despite the incredible chemistry shown on stage, this line-up never became a stable band, remaining a special project. Hackett has always stated that the intent was to celebrate his past with Genesis at a time when the mother band was on hiatus. Once the concerts and the promotion of the album were over, the members returned to their respective solo projects.
Steve and John Wetton, however, remained very close. Wetton appeared again in the studio for Hackett, for example in the famous cover of "All Along the Watchtower" included in the reissues.
The Tokyo Tapes served as a "model" for Hackett's future tours. The idea of combining Genesis classics with solo songs, supported by a band of the highest level, has become the formula of his worldwide success of the last 15 years.
Essential live album.
My Version
Label: Esoteric Antenna – EANTLP 31021, Wolfwork Records – EANTLP 31021
Format: 3 x Vinyl, LP, Record Store Day, Reissue, Stereo, White
Country: Worldwide
Release date: Jun 18, 2022
Tracklist
LP 1
Side A
Watcher of the Skies (8:59)
Riding the Colossus (3:32)
Firth of Fifth (9:32)
Side B
Battlelines (6:43)
Camino Royale (9:06)
The Court of the Crimson King (7:39)
LP 2
Side C
Horizons (2:14)
Walking Away from Rainbows (3:47)
Heat of the Moment (4:06)
...In That Quiet Earth (4:02)
Vampyre with a Healthy Appetite (5:46)
Side D
I Talk to the Wind (5:28)
Shadow of the Hierophant (7:14)
Los Endos (6:54)
LP 3
Side E
Black Light (2:30)
The Steppes (6:48)
I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe) (5:51)
Side F (Studio Tracks)
Firewall (4:41)
The Dealer (4:23)
All Along the Watchtower (5:43)
Duration Approx. 115 min
LineUp
Steve Hackett: Guitar, harmonica and vocals.
John Wetton: Bass, guitar and vocals.
Ian McDonald: Flute, saxophone, guitar and keyboards.
Chester Thompson: drums.
Julian Colbeck: Keyboards.
Link for listening:
The Tokyo Tapes by Steve Hackett on the main streaming platforms at the following links:
and on various YouTube channels
Note: All links to the musicians' works are in the TAGS under the article title or on the "Artists"
