In 2022 Steve Hackett released Genesis Revisited Live: Seconds Out & More (see review) and in 2023 the former Genesis guitar master released Foxtrot At Fifty & Hackett Highlights (see review) and, yes both were MUST have albums for Hackett and Genesis fans. Of course, we could guess that Genesis' concept album The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway (1974) was next up for a live release, as Steve and his live band celebrate the 50th anniversary of that legendary album with the "Genesis Greats, Lamb Highlights & Solo Tour". The Lamb Stands Up Live At The Royal Albert Hall is another stunning audio/visual document featuring Hackett's show at the iconic London venue on 23 October 2024. I saw the Genesis Greats show in Tilburg on 16 May (see review), and I was overwhelmed again by that brilliant performance. The setlist of this live recording in London is slightly different than the one from Tilburg, as songs like Hands Of The Priestess, Low Notes And High Hopes, Dancing With The Moonlit Knight, The Cinema Show, Aisle Of Plenty and Lilywhite Lilith were not played in Tilburg. Furthermore, this recording in London was special as Hackett and band were joined by some notorious guests including Ray Wilson, Steve Rothery, Amanda Lehmann, and John Hackett. The first set comprises highlights from Steve Hackett and his band, starting off with three songs from Hackett's latest album The Circus And The Nightwhale (2024, see review), followed by classic staple live performances of The Devil's Cathedral, Every Day (still one of my favourite Hackett tracks indeed), Camino Royale and Shadow Of The Hierophant. The latter, celebrating almost fifty years since appearing on Hackett's debut solo album, featured Amanda Lehmann on vocals and it was again a wonderful and magical version of this Hackett milestone, ending set one in an almost immaculate way! Set two of course features songs/highlights from The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway and the best songs here are Fly On A Windshield, featuring "your friend and mine", being of course Marillion's Steve Rothery, Carpet Crawlers (with vocals from the last lead singer on a Genesis studio album, Ray Wilson) and The Lamia with emotional vocals from Nad Sylvan and of course spellbinding guitar playing by the master himself. Set three features Genesis classics like Dancing With The Moonlit Knight, The Cinema Show and Aisle Of Plenty, while the encores on this wonderful album are Firth Of Fifth ("best" Hackett solo ever???) and Los Endos. Hackett's band again consists of: Roger King (keyboards), Jonas Reingold (bass guitar), Rob Townsend (flute, saxophone), Craig Blundell (drums) and Nad Sylvan (vocals) and yes, again it cannot get any better than this.... Another classic live album and a must have for Hackett and Genesis fans, as this gig in London is really spectacular to watch and hear. Buy or die, dear prog fans!! Listening tip: Fly On A Windshield, featuring spectacular guitar work by Rothery and Hackett indeed!!! Note: The Lamb Stands Up Live At The Royal Albert Hall will be released as a Special Edition 2CD+Blu-ray Digipak in Slipcase! ****+ Martien Koolen (edited by Tracy van Os van den Abeelen) Where to buy? |
