This is rightly considered one of the masterpieces of progressive rock. It has the whole spectrum of the genre-- great, unpredictable arrangements (Ace of Wands), esoteric lyrics (The Hermit, Star of Sirius, Shadow of the Hierophant), manic instrumental sections (The Tower Struck Down), astoundingly beautiful moments (Hands of the Priestess), and the drama of classical-like buildups (Shadow of the Hierophant.) In order to perform progrock, you had to have the skills to pull off a wide range of musical moods.

Three vocalists contribute a variety of styles-- Steve himself delivers a quiet folkish song, Phil Collins his high and airy style, and an operatic approach from soprano Sally Oldfield (sister of Mike Oldfield). Steve's brother John Hackett is superb on flute and ARP synthesizer, while John Acock provides moody keyboard backdrops. Steve himself gives a more restrained performance than you would expect from a lead guitarist let loose on his first solo album, but his allegiance if first and foremost to compositional development, as was the tradition in progrock.

I'm not much of an audiophile, but I noticed the improvement in this disc immediately. This was one of the first albums I bought on CD, and I was glad to purchase it again for the improved quality. If you want to begin to explore Steve Hackett's career, or just want to relive a peak of the genre, start right here in 1975 when progrock was still one of the most commercially uncompromised genres in the history of popular music.

Recorded in June/July of 1975 (soon after Peter Gabriel left Genesis), this debut solo album by Steve more or less pointed in the direction that Genesis would travel following the Lamb Lies down on Broadway (1974). The album was also somewhat successful and reached No. 26 in England and No. 191 in America, which was a source of encouragement for the guys in Genesis (they were recording A Trick of the Tail at the time). More importantly however, Voyage of the Acolyte gave Steve an opportunity to record music that had been dismissed by some of the guys in Genesis.

Joining Steve (electric and acoustic guitars; mellotron; harmonium, bells, autoharp, vocal, effects) were Genesis mates Mike Rutherford (bass guitar, Taurus bass pedals, fuzz 12-string); and Phil Collins (drums, percussion, vibes, vocals); along with Steve's brother John Hackett (flute, ARP synthesizer, bells); keyboardist John Acock (Elka Rhapsody, mellotron, harmonium, piano); Sally Oldfield (vocal); Robin Miller (oboe, cor anglais); and Nigel Warren-Green (cello). For those of you Brand X fans out there (like me) Percy Jones contributes an excellent bass part on A Tower Struck Down. The musicians on this album are all excellent and I loved hearing Phil's drumming, not to mention his vocal contributions. Steve of course, shines throughout and his playing is both delicate and adventurous.

The eight tracks on the album range in length from 1'34" to 11'45" - the pieces are all superb and it is clear that Steve was (and is) an excellent composer. This is a very well recorded and soft album loaded with dreamy mellotron and warm synthesizer tones all over the place. Steve contributes some absolutely gorgeous and haunting acoustic guitar pieces and the proggy group workouts on tracks like Star of Sirius are a great deal of fun to listen to. All of the tracks flow together nicely and seem to form a larger work of sorts. I have to admit that this is easily my favorite Genesis - related solo album.

This was a well recorded album to begin with and the sound quality is simply excellent.

Voyage of the Acolyte ultimately gave Steve the impetus he needed to break off from Genesis (after having his ideas squashed) and strike out on his own. A simply superb album that is very highly recommended along with the Genesis albums A Trick of the Tail (1976) and the moody Wind and Wuthering (1976). By the way, Wind and Wuthering would be Steve's last album with Genesis and presents some of his finest playing with the group.

I bought this on import LP in 1975 and have been listening to it a couple of times a year for 32 years. I know this recording. At least I thought I did. The remastering of this music is steller. I am hearing things in this original mix that I have never heard before. I even compared this to the initial CD release and there is no comparison. The acoustic instruments have much more depth and presence. The electric soundstage is well balanced. For the first time, the bass and bass pedals can be heard in full depth and brilliance. There could be some serious foundation shaking with the right subwoofer. I always believed this LP could have fit comfortably between Foxtrot and Selling England if Genesis had recorded it. The only thing that keeps this work from being a true Genesis project is the absence of Peter Gabriel's vocals and flute playing. This recording IS that good. It has always been my favorite Hackett release. You need to add this to your collection.

I would give this album 16 stars if I could. It might be my favorite progressive rock offering of all time, approaching perfection.

This one represents all the finest aspects of the genre, with brilliantly creative arrangements supporting poetic lyrics and varied, lushly produced instrumentation. People sometimes forget that this is also a concept album of a sort, as each tune represents a specific card in the Arcana of the Tarot.

It's all here, rock music built on a scale to rival classical music whilst emphasizing the best of both. So many intense and lasting moments here, from the quixotic frenzy of Ace of Wands to the manic, ominous feel of A Tower Struck Down (is that a tape of a Nazi Nuremberg rally at the end, with the crowd bellowing "Sieg!!! Heil!!!"? I think so.) to the delicate vocal by Steve himself on The Hermit... and that's just side one. Of course side 2 is just sublime, with one of Phil's greatest-ever vocal performances on Star of Sirius, the luscious classical-flavored piece The Lovers (wherein the end section of The Hermit spins backwards), and the unspeakably magnificent closer Shadow of the Hierophant, featuring Sally Oldfield's regal vocal and perhaps the most archetypal mellotron blasts in music history. The bass pedals in this song (remastered beautifully) will make your woofers fall on the floor if taken at at a sufficient volume. One of the best things about this record for me has always been the gorgeous flute of John Hackett, he is all over these songs and just plays his bollocks off throughout in stunning fashion... his part at the aforementioned conclusion of The Hermit is the sonic equivalent of watching a leaf twist gently in the breeze as it tumbles to Earth.

So many highlights, the songs woven together so masterfully, just a high watermark of prog in particular and music in general. An album I return to again and again, and will until the day I die.

By far one of the most touching epics in all of prog history. Voyage has been a part of my inner soul for many many years. If you have never heard Hackett you will not only be introduced to the master but will just begin to get a glimpse of the genius. If stuck on a desert island and had only one album to pick I would not think twice to have Voyage with me!