John Wetton has found new levels of interpretive genius alongside Steve Hackett over the course of two loving looks back into the guitarist’s 1970s-era stint in Genesis — and “Afterglow” is no different.
Joining Hackett for this Tony Banks-written conclusion to 1976’s Wind and Wuthering — Hackett’s final album with Genesis — Wetton is a wonder of raw feelings, giving a new edge to the original handling of the lyrics by Phil Collins.
That makes “Afterglow” a highpoint on the newly released Genesis Revisited: Live at Hammersmith, a 3CD/2DVD set that features a sparking 5.1 mix which Steve Hackett is releasing in time for another tour through the UK. Other guests include King Crimson’s Jakko Jakszyk, Marillion’s Steve Rothery, Nik Kershaw and others.
Wetton, who had a celebrated earlier stop with King Crimson as well as Asia and UK, first joined Hackett for 1996’s Watcher of the Skies: Genesis Revisited, singing the title track and “Firth of Fifth.” He then returned to add vocals to the studio version of “Afterglow” on 2012’s Genesis Revisited II. He was part of Steve Hackett’s earlier live set The Tokyo Tapes, and appeared with Hackett on this year’s Cruise to the Edge, as well.
This update’s feature photo of John Wetton and Steve Hackett was by Mark Newman.
