We often rehearsed outside in the beautiful Sussex countryside under the sunshine of an eternally blue sky. (Hackettsongs.com)
Manager Tony Stratton Smith's large thatched house known as "the cottage" was our accommodation and we had a fantastic rehearsal space in its out building, "Toad Hall". I'm sure the magical atmosphere and cosiness of that place influenced the quintessentially English vibe of the album, with its nod to Victoriana and the old world.
I thought I'd died and gone to Heaven. I had a new Gibson Les Paul Custom whilst as a band we now owned a Mellotron MKll (the Beatles 'Strawberry Fields' version, courtesy of King Crimson who sold it to us). Our music was developing at a thrilling pace. I'd just discovered tapping which made guitar and keyboard salvos virtually indistinguishable. All part of that early magic...
It was a hugely creative time, crafting music with a brilliant new team. We sounded like no other band. I was so proud of the album. From a haunted nursery to the rampant Hogweed, Victorian whimsy combined with a horror show along with romantic mythology.
One of my favourite tracks is the eponymous The Musical Box. I love the way the music starts with a tinkling toy and finally explodes into dramatic frenzy. The other big favourite is The Fountain Of Salmacis. To my mind, this music more than lives up to the beautiful title... Genesis at its most classically inspired, with Mellotron on full stun recorded at a deafening level at Air Studios, London on all those thrilling crescendos. It remains many people's favourite Genesis track... the Glory Of Greece meets the magic Mellotron.
The former Genesis guitarist admits that he isn't a fan of much of the music in the charts as he can't relate to it. Steve said: "I usually find what's in the charts quite depressing."
"I do enjoy bands such as Muse and Elbow. If I see or hear something that is really good I'll say so." (music-news)
The musician also dismissed feats that rock 'n' roll is going out of fashion suggesting that music will always have power.
Steve explained: "Music is like medicine. It should never go out of fashion and has magic properties to cure, heal and to reenergise. Music does things that politics can't do or won't do."
Hackett also pointed out that the enduring appeal and impact of acts such as The Beatles shows that music stands the test of time.
Speaking on the Greatest Music of All Time podcast, he said: "Music was a force for such world-changing events, how can that possibly go out of fashion. Think about everything that The Beatles did, that Bob Dylan did – all the serious stuff.
"It's not going to cure famine and hunger and put a man on the moon again but somehow it speaks for the people. It's hugely important whether it's rock and roll or another form.
"I don't think it's over for music at all."
Steve Hackett has released of a 2CD + Blu-Ray digipak, titled Genesis Revisited Band & Orchestra: Live At The Royal Festival Hall 2 years ago
The album was recorded on October 5, 2018 at The Royal Festival Hall, London, during the 2018 Genesis Revisited Tour which fulfilled a long held ambition of Steve’s: to perform the music of Genesis with a live orchestra. The concert featured Steve’s regular touring band of Roger King (keyboards), Gary O’Toole (drums/percussion), Rob Townsend (saxes/flutes) with Nad Sylvan on vocals and Jonas Reingold (The Flower Kings) on bass, together with special guests John Hackett and Amanda Lehmann, and augmented by the 41-piece Heart Of England Orchestra conducted by Bradley Thachuk.(Bravewords)
Steve commented: “It was a fantastic experience for both the band and myself to play alongside an orchestra and to feel the power of the sound this extraordinary combo created. It sounds equally compelling on both film and audio. I’m proud to release this exciting product.”