STEVE HACKETT
Eclectic Prog • United Kingdom
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Stephen Richard Hackett - Born February 12th 1950 (Pimlico, London, UK)
(Blues, Classical, Folk, Jazz, New Age and Progressive Rock)
Steve HACKETT needs no introduction. He is definitely one of the major guitarists of this century. Ex-GENESIS, he is now a major force in the domain of music composed for guitar, rock as well as classical. Steve is a complex musician, drawing influence from a wide variety of styles and melding them into super compositions. His music has evolved over the years, and while some of it was not up to the standards that he set with other albums. They are still excellent.
HACKETT joined GENESIS as guitarist in early 1971 and featured across ten albums of their history. He replaced Anthony PHILLIPS, and stayed with the band during their successful mid-70s progressive rock period. I remember once reading that, if GENESIS lost their "brains" when Peter GABRIEL left, then they surely lost their "heart" when Steve left. In a way, it is easy to see how HACKETT was "crowded out" of Genesis in 1977. From "Nursery Crime" in 1971 to the double-live "Seconds Out" in 1977, he created in his solo albums his own style, dominated by his guitars, sometimes very classical or at times furious. His tracks go from a symphonic Progressive style to a more energetic rock.
From the first album "Voyage Of The Acolyte" while he was still with GENESIS to his most recent ones, all are MUSTS. For the most part, all of the compositions on HACKETT's first five solo albums are well-thought-out and impeccably well crafted. I would highly recommend "Voyage of the Acolyte" (missing GENESIS album), "Please Don't Touch" (powerful), his TRADEMARK "Spectral Mornings" (pure magic), "Defector" (another amazing album by Steve), and "Cured" (pop-oriented). This, along with "Time Lapse", "The Unauthorised Biography", "Guitar Noir", "Darktown" and "To Watch The Storms", are the best for people curious about the HACKETT "feel". However I believe these are his bests - it could rightly be called "THE HISTORY OF MUSIC ACCORDING TO STEVE HACKETT." Get them ALL...and HAPPY LISTENING!!!
Discography with GENESIS (1971-1982):
1971 - Nursery Crime
1972 - Foxtrot
1973 - Live
1973 - Selling England By The Pound
1974 - Lamb Lies Down On Broadway
1976 - Wind and Wuthering
1976 - Trick of the Tail
1977 - Second...read more
STEVE HACKETT Videos (YouTube and more)
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STEVE HACKETT discography
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STEVE HACKETT top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)
4.25 | 1575 ratings
Voyage of the Acolyte 1975 |
3.61 | 664 ratings
Please Don't Touch! 1978 |
4.15 | 967 ratings
Spectral Mornings 1979 |
3.66 | 540 ratings
Defector 1980 |
2.42 | 355 ratings
Cured 1981 |
2.93 | 316 ratings
Highly Strung 1982 |
3.35 | 283 ratings
Bay of Kings 1983 |
2.44 | 255 ratings
Till We Have Faces 1984 |
3.17 | 204 ratings
Momentum 1988 |
3.29 | 268 ratings
Guitar Noir 1993 |
2.88 | 167 ratings
Blues with a Feeling 1994 |
3.44 | 370 ratings
Genesis Revisited 1996 |
3.58 | 208 ratings
A Midsummer Night's Dream 1997 |
3.78 | 360 ratings
Darktown 1999 |
3.43 | 170 ratings
Sketches of Satie (with John Hackett) 2000 |
2.56 | 161 ratings
Feedback 86 2000 |
3.78 | 428 ratings
To Watch the Storms 2003 |
3.60 | 218 ratings
Metamorpheus 2005 |
3.74 | 353 ratings
Wild Orchids 2006 |
3.52 | 137 ratings
Tribute 2008 |
3.67 | 401 ratings
Out of the Tunnel's Mouth 2009 |
3.85 | 464 ratings
Beyond the Shrouded Horizon 2011 |
3.90 | 548 ratings
Genesis Revisited II 2012 |
3.74 | 433 ratings
Wolflight 2015 |
3.74 | 220 ratings
The Night Siren 2017 |
3.90 | 341 ratings
At the Edge of Light 2019 |
3.59 | 92 ratings
Under a Mediterranean Sky 2021 |
3.98 | 136 ratings
Surrender of Silence 2021 |
3.68 | 84 ratings
The Circus and the Nightwhale 2024 |
STEVE HACKETT Live Albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)
STEVE HACKETT Videos (DVD, Blu-ray, VHS etc)
3.00 | 1 ratings
Live! 1992 |
4.13 | 73 ratings
The Tokyo Tapes 2001 |
4.28 | 56 ratings
Somewhere In South America... - Live In Buenos Aires 2002 |
3.98 | 41 ratings
Hungarian Horizons - Live in Budapest 2003 |
4.02 | 25 ratings
Horizons 2003 |
4.39 | 94 ratings
Once Above a Time 2004 |
3.23 | 12 ratings
Live Legends 2004 |
3.75 | 34 ratings
Spectral Mornings 2005 |
4.14 | 14 ratings
Estival Jazz Lugano 2009 |
4.02 | 40 ratings
Live - Fire & Ice 2011 |
4.29 | 14 ratings
The Bremen Broadcast - Musikladen 8th November 1978 2013 |
STEVE HACKETT Boxset & Compilations (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)
2.91 | 36 ratings
The Unauthorised Biography 1992 |
4.31 | 13 ratings
Guitare Classique 2001 |
3.44 | 34 ratings
Genesis Files 2002 |
3.17 | 34 ratings
Genesis Revisited II: Selection 2013 |
4.81 | 21 ratings
Premonitions: The Charisma Recordings 1975-1983 2015 |
4.50 | 14 ratings
Broken Skies Outspread Wings 2018 |
STEVE HACKETT Official Singles, EPs, Fan Club & Promo (CD, EP/LP, MC, Digital Media Download)
4.50 | 10 ratings
Ace of Wands 1975 |
3.80 | 13 ratings
How Can I? 1978 |
2.61 | 12 ratings
Narnia 1978 |
3.18 | 17 ratings
Clocks 1979 |
4.10 | 10 ratings
Every Day 1979 |
2.07 | 8 ratings
Sentimental Institution 1980 |
2.14 | 13 ratings
The Show 1980 |
2.36 | 9 ratings
Hope I Don't Wake 1981 |
2.83 | 6 ratings
Picture Postcard 1981 |
2.80 | 18 ratings
Cell 151 1983 |
2.83 | 6 ratings
A Doll That's Made in Japan 1984 |
2.33 | 3 ratings
Timeless 1994 |
3.07 | 8 ratings
Your Own Special Way 1996 |
2.67 | 6 ratings
Days Of Long Ago 1999 |
3.00 | 1 ratings
Feedback 86 + Live 90's 2001 |
4.00 | 3 ratings
Live Recordings 70's, 80's 2001 |
3.67 | 6 ratings
Brand New 2003 |
2.50 | 4 ratings
Man In The Long Black Coat 2006 |
2.23 | 7 ratings
Til These Eyes 2012 |
3.68 | 16 ratings
Spectral Mornings 2015 |
2.28 | 6 ratings
When the Heart Rules the Mind 2018 |
STEVE HACKETT Reviews
Showing last 10 reviews only
Steve Hackett Eclectic Prog
Review by BBKron
Steve Hackett Eclectic Prog
Review by TheEliteExtremophile
Review originally posted here: theeliteextremophile.com/2024/04/01/odds-ends-april-1-2024/
Steve Hackett Eclectic Prog
Review by
siLLy puPPy
Special Collaborator PSIKE, JRF/Canterbury, P Metal, Eclectic
After spending the last decade more or less revisiting his symphonic prog roots, THE CIRCUS AND THE NIGHTWHALE takes on a different stylistic approach which is more varied and more theatrical with touches of hard rock, flamenco and jazz mixed in with the usual symphonic prog and classically tinged guitar magic that HACKETT has been cranking out for almost five decades. As a legend in the world of prog, HACKETT now has the luxury to record at his own leisure and finds an army of supporting musicians to assist him on this one including Roger King (keyboards, programming and orchestral arrangements), Rob Townsend (sax), Jonas Reingold (bass), Nad Sylvan (vocals), Craig Blundell (drums) and Amanda Lehmann on vocals. Nick D'Virgilio and Hugo Degenhardt return as the percussionists with Benedict Fenner on keyboards.
The album title gives a hint of what to expect with this one. It truly is an eclectic work that doesn't really fit into any particular categorization. The CIRCUS really has come to town and the NIGHTWHALE is ready to deliver a great show, STEVE HACKETT style. Supposedly a concept album of some sort (well aren't ALL prog albums these days?!!!), i honestly am not sure what the theme really is and it doesn't really matter too much since it's the music that counts. STEVE delivers a wide array of sounds and styles throughout this run of 13 tracks with his outstanding guitar and mandolin playing heard all throughout. At 74, HACKETT may not be breaking any new ground on this one but he certainly holds his own and crafts catchy compositions that showcase some nice production and diversity.
The album features plenty of slow burners such as the tender ballad "Ghost Moon And Living Love" as well as more upbeat rockers such as "Get Me Out." The mandolin-rich "Circo Inferno" with its Arabian musical scales takes you for a journey east bound only with some hard rock outbursts and a sizzling sax solo. "Breakout" jumps into an unexpected heavy metal style with blistering guitar workouts and delectable lead guitars which demonstrates that HACKETT has lost none of his guitar playing mojo over the years. "All At Sea" offers yet another surprise with an ambient synthesized abstractness with a few guitar tricks thrown in and basically serves as an intro for "Into The Nightwhale" which remains dreamy and laid back never really shaking the ambient backing.
THE CIRCUS AND THE NIGHTWHALE demonstrates quite clearly that STEVE HACKETT is still alive and going strong and its filled with some really enjoyable music but like the majority of his output he simply fails to take the extra steps necessary to offer something truly compelling that will beckon return visits. In fact he seems on simply recycling various experiments that he's been cranking out his entire career. For true fans this album won't disappoint at all but if you're seeking something comparable to his debut or "Spectral Mornings" then you won't find that consistency here. HACKETT suffers from the age old problem of quantity over quality and most of his albums reflect that. While he never delivers an unlistenable product, very few of them deliver something revolutionary or applicable to the modern day. A decent album but not an outstanding one either.
Steve Hackett Eclectic Prog
Review by
A Crimson Mellotron
Prog Reviewer
And Hackett needs no introduction at all, as every prog fan would position him somewhere high up in the prog rock guitarists pantheon - and on his latest studio album (released as usual on Inside Out Music), it seems that he goes on celebrating the sounds and the style he is well-known for, at this point expanding his majestic catalogue with yet another pretty good album. 'The Circus and the Nightwhale' is a tight collection of seemingly thematically related songs that have been pierced by these shorter one- or two-minute instrumental vignettes on several occasions across the album. However, above all, as Steve Hackett had stated himself, with this album he had the intention of creating a "theater for the ears" and this is probably a very good way of describing his 2024 release. The album is quite cinematic, intricate and melancholic, as the music usually is when one considers the former Genesis guitarist. Occasionally the vocals might not be the most appealing, especially when it comes to Mr Hackett's singing, which has been the subject of discussion for decades, but the album works nicely and flows gently, as it works perfectly as another addition to the Hackett discography, not really introducing anything new or unheard of, just celebrating a specific genre of music.
All in all, 'The Circus and the Nightwhale' is a fine release, perhaps nothing too special, just a very well-crafted album by a prog rock veteran who displays all of his technical and vocal abilities to very positive results. Hackett fans will be enjoying this one for sure, and I think it might also appeal to rock fans in general, too.
Steve Hackett Eclectic Prog
Review by zampino
I had reservations about some aspects of "Defector", but "Cured" pushed me over the edge with its strained vocals and absolutely horrible album cover. The first three songs are painful, out of character, and far too commercial as regards his previous work. It's only on the instrumental, or mostly instrumental, pieces like "The Air Conditioned Nightmare", that Hackett shines. But even here he would have been better served ditching the drum machines and hiring a real drummer.
In retrospect I can see that many of his future vocal tendencies, particularly using multiple voices to create interesting harmonies, are evident, and had he stuck with his natural range when singing solo perhaps these songs would be less forced. Clearly this was a challenging extension of his abilities, and it would be years before he found his real voice in song, and developed into an expressive singer and song-writer. However, on this album, as he sings "I don't want to be here" on "Picture Postcard", I can't but help feel the same.
For those perusing his discography, I would jump from "Defector" to "Guitar Noir", jump again to "Darktown", then make one more big leap to "To Watch The Storms", at which point the modern, confident, experienced Steve Hackett begins a string of exceptional studio albums.
Steve Hackett Eclectic Prog
Review by
tszirmay
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator
Strangely, I was truly mesmerized by the shorter pieces like the iridescent "These Passing Clouds", the bluesy "Found and Lost", the torrid sandstorm feel of Scipio's Roman Army in Africa on "Circo Inferno", the Zeppelin-esque thrashing on "Breakout", lest we forget that the Brits are an island nation devoted to the oceans on "All at Sea" and the classical acoustic finale on "White Dove", a magical farewell.
For those who are dismayed about him singing on all the tracks, hey, it's been like that for nearly 50 years, so suck it up and move on. Its his art, okay! For those who think he is just rehashing the same tired formula, listen to the monster rock steamroller exhibit on "Taking You Down", the totally enchanting Genesisian aroma of "Enter the Ring" with its fluttering John Hackett flute pirouettes and carnival atmosphere, the incredible six string method solo on the poignant "Get it Out", followed by the majestic prog epic "Ghost Moon and Living Lone", a series of typical Hackett solos that inserts some slide guitar outbursts, the soaring female vocal (Amanda Lehmann) intro is drenched in absurd beauty and rather amazing vocals from the Man with the Golden Guitar, BTW!
The furtive "Into the Nightwhale" certainly captures the gigantic proportion of the cetacean with some colossal orchestrations as well as the creature's relative meekness and gentle disposition in the second part, where a serene calm settles in, twinkling piano and a forgiving vocal glimmering brightly. Immediate segue into the bolder anthemic "Wherever You Are", a suave voice, leading to thumping drum patterns, another patented Hackett fretboard screech, rousing organ collisions and a fiery climax.
The lamp's warm glow flickers as Steve plays "White Dove", restrained notes that express deep felt emotions, a stellar neo-classical piece that suggest the need for kindness and peace. Mister consistency strikes again, another great chapter in a gloriously productive career, proving once again that being on one's own can be utterly rewarding artistically.
4.5 Carnival orcas. [email protected]
Steve Hackett Eclectic Prog
Review by TenYearsAfter
When Steve Hackett performed his first solo gig in The Netherlands on October 19th in 1978 (Congresgebouw, The Hague) the venue was half empty I remember, early July 2024 Steve Hackett will play 3 evenings in a row (De Boerderij, Zoetermeer), no more tickets available (lucky me got a ticket on the final night), all concerts were sold out within a few months, the times they are a changin' .....
Another fact about the difference between early Hackett and Hackett nowadays: in the past he hardly played Genesis songs, anno 2024 his setlist is loaded with tracks from 70s Genesis, he even played entire Genesis albums in the last 10 years. A great example of Steve Hackett playing Genesis is this 3-CD/2-DVD box set, featuring known guest musicians like Nick Kershaw, the late John Wetton, and Steve Rothery.
Listening and watching Steve Hackett on this box set I am blown away by his distinctive guitar sound and his skills, this is one of the most underrated guitarists in rock and prog history. For example, the huge variety he creates with techniques like tapping, slide, tremelo and using the volume pedal. He also switches easily from heavy electric guitar to tender Spanish guitar. And in my opinion Steve Hackett has delivered the most compelling guitar solo ever played, in Firth Of Fifth, what a build-up, grand finale and afterglow, wow! He also shines in Fly On A Windshield, The Musical Box, Blood On The Rooftops, Supper's Ready and Los Endos, and in one of my highlights, Shadow Of The Hierophant (the only solo album track). There was no longer room in Genesis for Hackett playing like this in 1977, what an unique symphonic rock sound, especially the blend of volume pedal driven electric guitar, the unsurpassed Mellotron and the mighty Moog Taurus bass pedals, goose bumps!
A strong bonus on this box set is singer Nad Sylvan, I love his voice, more pleasant and intense than Phil Collins on Seconds Out. I am only not really pleased with the extra brass and woodwind elements in the music, but that is purely personal, I am not very up to saxophones and that kind of instruments.
CD-1, 2 and 3 feature the entire Hammersmith Apollo in London concert (May 10th, 2013, "thunderous applause from an ecstatic audience" and "the tremendously successful sell-out Genesis Revisited tour"), DVD 1 and feature the full show (2 hours and 41 minutes) show and Behind The Scenes (close to 40 minutes).
HACKETT PLAYING 72-77 GENESIS : NOT TO BE MISSED BY ANY SERIOUS PROGHEAD AND SYMPHOMANIAC!
Steve Hackett Eclectic Prog
Review by BBKron
Steve Hackett Eclectic Prog
Review by [email protected]
Steve Hackett Eclectic Prog
Review by Fercandio46