On leaving Genesis in 1977 Steve Hackett pursued a solo career. His second solo release in 1979 was an album called 'Spectral Mornings'.

To celebrate it's 40th anniversary he played a concert at Hammersmith in 2019. The title track is pure class, as captured here >

For completists the band line-up was: (as listed at the end of the video) 

- Steve Hackett / guitars
- Roger King / keyboards
- Jonas Reingold / bass
- Rob Townsend / saxophones, flutes
- Craig Blundell / drums, percussion
- Nad Sylvan / vocals (not in this video, as it's an instrumental) 

Released on 25 September 2020 - A Limited Edition Deluxe 2CD+Blu-ray+DVD with Artbook; 2CD+Blu-ray Digipak; 2CD+DVD Multibox; Limited Edition 4LP+2CD Box Set and Digital album. Something for every occasion !

  

This week has turned into one of 'Grandeur and Pomp', what with the music earlier in the week from the Paris Olympics (see below for this) to discovering the symphonic splendor of Imperial Age. 

Such full on productions are not to everyone's taste. You either like the epic arrangements or you find them too much and over the top. See what you make of Imperial Age and their dramatic orchestrations and theatrically fantastic videos.  

The band were originally founded in 2012 in Russia by singers/composers Alexander "Aor" Osipov and Jane "Corn" Odintsova. After the start of the Russian conflict with Ukraine in 2022, the band relocated, eventually settling in the United Kingdom. They are categorized as Symphonic Metal as Gothic fantasy meets the Pirates of the Caribbean. 

Here they are performing 'live' with an orchestra and choir and a track called 'The Way is the Aim' > 

 

Check out 'The Wheel' ‘live’ - here  

And the video for 'Windborn'  via here 

There are FREE downloads on their website, if you sign up to their mailing list: https://imperial-age.com/ 

  

An alternative (and occasional) music posting highlighting something out of the ordinary. Perhaps of limited appeal, unconventional, experimental or just far-out ! Call it what you like (or switch it off, if you don't like). 

Now that the 2024 Paris Olympics are finished, time to mention the music played during the event. 

Music Director for the Olympic and Paralympics was eclectic French musician and composer Victor Le Masne. Mainly associated with electro and pop he wrote 'Parade' the official anthem for the 2024 Olympiad. You certainly heard this as it played every time there was a medal presentation. 

Less played was the amazing piece at the Opening ceremony during the horse rider sequence along the River Seine. Titled 'Higher', this was quite something >

A word to on the Logo: that looked like the Olympic flame but also something else: see this story of explanation and discover Marianne. 

  

You probably noticed all the hullaballoo this week surrounding the reunion of Oasis and the buying of tickets for next year's shows. Personally I'm wondering why all the fuss? 

Liam Gallagher had a No.1 album earlier this year with a collaboration instigated by ex Stone Roses guitarist John Squire, so going back to Oasis days seems rather unnecessary.

I have been undecided on selecting a track off the 'Liam Gallagher John Squire' album: 

'Just Another Rainbow' is very Stone Roses and the video pretty psychedelic, while 'One Day at a Time' doesn't have a video but does have a swear word! So I'm going with 'Mars to Liverpool' which has flashbacks to both bands from the 90s. 

All the album tracks are written by John Squire and contain some great guitar playing:  

Do check out 'Just Another Rainbow' & 'One Day at a Time'