Tony Banks, a co-founding member of Genesis, is preparing a new classical album for March release, called Six Pieces for Orchestra.
The Naxos label recording is Banks’ second classical project, following Seven: A Suite for Orchestra in 2004. Violinist Charlie Siem is featured, along with alto saxophonist Martin Robertson and the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of conductor Paul Englishby.
[SOMETHING ELSE! REWIND: Here’s a look back at the recently released Genesis boxes covering the years 1970-75, and then the period from 1976-83.]
“The titles of the movements refer to the elements of a universal story: seductress, journey, hero, quest, decision and goal,” Banks says in prerelease materials. “I leave it to the listener to fill in the details, although really it is just music, a story without words.”
Banks was one of just two members of Genesis, along with Mike Rutherford, to appear in all of the group’s many incarnations since its 1960s-era inception. One of the leading voices in their sound, in particular early on, the keyboardist and sometime guitarist was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Genesis in 2010. The band hasn’t toured together since 2007, and hasn’t released an album of new material since 1997. This is Banks’ ninth solo project, dating back to 1979.
Here’s a look back at our recent thoughts on Genesis. Click through the title for complete reviews …
SOMETHING ELSE! INTERVIEW: GUITARIST STEVE HACKETT, FORMERLY OF GENESIS: Hackett, who still nurtures a lasting affinity for classical music, has leapt headlong back into prog rock — putting the finishing touches on a collaboration with Yes co-founder Chris Squire, even as he begins work on an album that will reexamine his celebrated tenure as guitarist with Genesis. Hackett went in depth on the new project with Squire, the guitarist’s celebrated tenure with Genesis, and the sweeping impact of J.S. Bach on his playing style.
GENESIS – A TRICK OF THE TAIL (1976): The era immediately following Peter Gabriel’s departure contains some of Genesis’ best music. While Gabriel was a creative force for the band, I’ve always preferred Phil Collins vocals even while I missed the progressive leanings of the band after their turn to a pop-oriented sound following Steve Hackett’s departure. “Ripples” from this album would be one of the last, best examples: Collins’ vocal delivery is haunting and powerful. Hackett’s guitar playing is brilliantly emotive as always. And Banks piano work on this song, I’d argue, is some of the best he ever did for Genesis.
ONE TRACK MIND: STEVE HACKETT ON “FIRTH OF FIFTH,” “WHEN THE HEART RULES THE MIND,” OTHERS: Hackett, who’s readying a new collaboration with Yes co-founder Chris Squire, talks about how joining Genesis spurred him to a series of memorable inventions on his instrument. And how one of these pioneering moments would one day help create a signature part of Eddie Van Halen’s high-flying solo sound. We also go inside the brief and stormy collaboration with Steve Howe in the mid-1980s called GTR, and Hackett’s genre-busting return to prog rock in 2009.
GENESIS – SELLING ENGLAND BY THE POUND (1973): There’s music I like, music I love, and then there’s music that literally gives me goosebumps. The list of music that falls into the goosebump category is a rather short one: No matter how many times I hear Steve Hackett’s guitar solo on “Firth of Fifth,” the hairs on my arm stand on end and I find myself moved nearly to tears by the emotive beauty of his guitar-tistry.
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- Ernesto Cervini’s Turboprop, “When I Fall” (2024): Video premiere - March 15, 2024
- Disaster Pony,“Dead Neon & The Noon Sun” from ‘Disaster Pony’ (2024): Video premiere - February 27, 2024
- Christopher Hoffman, “Farewell Forever” from ‘Vision Is The Identity’ (2024): Streaming premiere - February 19, 2024
