Mike Akerfeldt to provide vocals for a new recording of ‘Supper’s Ready’

Link

At first I thought this was some sort of prank – the idea of Akerfeldt taking part in a multi-artist collaboration, re-creating Genesis gems from  35+ years ago, struck me as awesome, if a little ‘out there’.

But no, it is for real. Just a few big names in that list of collaborators(!) – Wilson being the biggest one. Roine Stolt is a member of the Flower Kings, a modern prog troupe, Neal Morse is from Spock’s Beard, John Wetton is a member of Asia, amongst other bands, and Nik Kershaw is Nik Kershaw.

Take a listen to Supper’s Ready:

Now, what do you hear in there? I hear a lot of Storm Corrosion and Heritage/Damnation-era Opeth. To hear Mike and Steven Wilson participate in a new rendition of the above is a most tantalising proposition. By sounds of things there will be new compositions as well as re-recordings, so who knows what will emerge from the project as a whole.

I can’t claim to be the biggest Genesis fan in the world – my exploration of 70s prog back when I was discovering music was restricted to Pink Floyd, Rush, Yes and King Crimson, and even King Crimson was limited. Genesis I passed by, I guess I found them a little twee and unchallenging, but there is always time in life for reappraisals.

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Below follows details on the other collaborators [the ones above being names I recognised]. This list serves no purpose other than to explore the individuals listed, to gain an insight into how the project might sound.

Simon Collins  Phil’s son, who seems to have a music career of his own.

Nad Sylvan - prog/powerpop musician from Sweden. First time I’ve heard of hin.

Dave Kerzner  - Best to read the link for this one, as the chap is multi-talented and has worked with a wide range of musicians in a variety of contexts. I would be very surprised if I haven’t heard music in some way associated with him in the past.

Francis Dunnery - frontman of It Bites, and since then has played with a number of prominent musicians, such as Robert Plant and Santana.

Conrad Keely - singer of …And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead, a band that I have heard of but I don’t think that I have ever explored. I’m pretty sure I used to get them confused with Godspeed You! Black Emperor back when I was younger.

Jakko Jakszyk - Another multi-instrumentalist with fingers in multiple musical pies, most interesting being a King Crimson ‘alumnus’ act, made up of ex-members that focuses on the 60s and 70s repertoire of said band.

Steve Rothery - guitarist from Marillion

Jeremy Stacey  – English drummer, again many bands

John Hackett - Steve Hackett’s younger brother, a major contributor to Steve’s lengthy solo career

Nick Magnus - keyboardist, another member of Steve’s solo band

Nick Beggs - bassist, member of Kajagoogoo and Steven Wilson’s touring band.

Lee Pomeroy - bassist for hire, many notable performances with pop acts

Phil Mulford - much the same as with Lee Pomeroy, a professional bassist for hire

Roger King - keyboardist, again one who has worked with many diverse acts

Gary O’Toole another professional musician, this time a drummer. studio work, touring and a teacher.

Amanda Lehmann - A singer-songwriter, a member of Steve’s band. She also has her own project.

Rob Townsend - drummer for Family, the prog band from the late 60s and early 70s, amongst other projects.

Djabe (band)

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So, some interesting people, some not so interesting. A right eclectic bunch, that is for sure!