Steve Hackett Brings His Tour De Force to Collingswood

Whether you’re a fan of early Genesis, prog-rock in general, world music or just want to enjoy a night of masterful guitar work, Steve Hackett is your man. The legendary guitarist brings his Toure De Force tour to the Scottish rite Auditorium in Collingswood for two nights, Feb. 16-17. Hackett also performs in Staten Island on Feb. 15 and Tarrytown, N.Y., on Feb. 18. The tour is billed as a night of Genesis Revisited, Solo Gems and GTR. A new version of the GTR hit "When the Heart Rules the Mind" recorded by Hackett can be found at

A musical visionary, Hackett played with Genesis during their progressive heyday (1971-76). His emotive guitar work set the mood and laid the framework for epic fan-favorites like “The Musical Box,” “Supper’s Ready,” “The Cinema Show” and “One for the Vine.” During his time with Genesis he also developed the two-hand tapping guitar technique that was later popularized by Eddie Van Halen.

As a solo artist, Hackett has released more than 20 albums that span the gamut from progressive rock and classical to soundtrack scores and blues. His latest effort, “The Night Siren” (2017), is a musical journey across the globe within the framework of progressive rock.

The album features Israeli, Palestinian, Indian, Turkish and Icelandic musicians, among others, performing on indigenous instruments including the oud (Middle East), charango (South America), sitar (India), didgeridoo (Australia), tar (Middle East) and Uilleann pipes (Ireland).

In addition, Hackett just released “Wuthering Nights,” a 2 DVD/2CD set of his performance in Birmingham, England, filmed last year.

We recently had the pleasure to speaking with Hackett about the tour and his music past, present and future.

Your tour last year focused on the 40th anniversary of Genesis’ “Wind & Wuthering” album and featured many songs from that record. Which Genesis gems will you be pulling out this time around?

A big one is "The Fountain of Salmacis" from “Nursery Cryme.” We haven't played that in a while and it’s very demanding. We’ll also be doing “Musical Box,” “Dance On a Volcano,” a number of favorites that work very well in a live context. The old material has proved itself and now I feel I’m proving myself to that same music once again.

You’ll also be playing “Supper’s Ready,” the 22-minute epic from “Foxtrot” (1972).

The fans have been asking for it again and I felt it was time to honor that. It seems to get more and more popular as the years pass and people talk about it as defining the (prog-rock) genre. It’s very long, a journey, a musical odyssey, and there’s something special about that.

You’ll also be playing a couple of numbers from “Please Don’t Touch,” your first post-Genesis solo album, which turns 40 this year. Being that it was your first album after leaving Genesis, did you feel you had something to prove on the album? Was there a sense of excitement or trepidation, or both?

I had masses of excitement and trepidation in equal measure. Without the safety net of the band to support me it was a time of great uncertainty but great joy and working with tremendous people. (The album features guest appearances from Richie Havens, Steve Walsh and Phil Ehart of Kansas, and Genesis live drummer Chester Thompson, among others). I know I’ll be playing “Icarus Ascending.”

You’ll also be playing “When the Heart Rules the Mind” from GTR, the group you formed with Yes guitarist Steve Howe in 1985.

I’m happy to embrace that song once again. The band's been doing a fine version in the rehearsal room. It’s the hit song that we had and it only sounds sweeter with the passage of time. It's essentially the same tune but done in a different way, and I get to sing on it. The entire band sings on the harmonies. It’s very interesting. There’s a barbershop quartet aspect to it.

The show isn’t solely a trip throug the past. You’ll also be playing songs from last year’s new album, “The Night Siren.”

It’s great to have the old stuff, to parade out those magnificent exhibits. But on the other hand it's important to be involved with developing new music.

On “The Night Siren” you worked with musicians from around the world. The album features Israeli, Palestinian, Indian, Turkish and Icelandic artists.

Music knows no borders. We had an Israeli and a Palestinian playing on the same track. Where politics refuses to go in music it's important to take everybody in. I want to have that sense of throwing a party where everyone is welcome, to broaden the frame of reference. I have great hopes of music being this huge healing force.

www.hackettsongs.com

IF YOU GO:

Steve Hackett at the Scottish Rite Auditorium, 315 White Horse Pike, Collingswood

8 p.m. Feb. 16-17.

Tickets are $39 to $75

856-858-1000, www.ticketmaster.com, www.scottishriteauditorium.com,

Also performing:

8 p.m. Feb. 15 at the St. George Theatre, Staten Island; www.stgeorgetheatre.com or www.ticketmaster.com

7 p.m. Feb. 18 at Tarrytown Music Hall; www.tarrytownmusichall.org

or www.ticketmaster.com