Tag Archives: Steve Hackett

Steve Hackett, Under A Mediterranean Sky. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

Even without the world having changed beyond recognition in the last year, the way we were travelling, seeing what lay far from our own shores, had arguably become one akin to the permanent buffet, dip and take a slice of what you fancy and then immediately move on to the next dish without truly appreciating what you have tasted, without asking what ingredients made the plate such a delicious treat, without savouring the dedication and industry which made it dance on your tongue with delight.

Steve Hackett, Under A Mediterranean Sky. Album Review. full post

(482 words, estimated 1:56 mins reading time)

Steve Hackett, Genesis Revisited Band & Orchestra: Live At The Royal Festival Hall. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

There are those who command the art of wizardry, a moment in which they whisper down your ears and place the expectation of trust at such a level that it sometimes might be difficult to look upon other works and feel any emotion towards them; such is the awe and honour that comes through in waves. The only appropriate action to undertake is one of reverential belief, that magic is one of a long-held endeavour and skill and that all that opens up before the listener is, in the end, doors to other universes.

Steve Hackett, Genesis Revisited Band & Orchestra: Live At The Royal Festival Hall. Album Review. full post

(575 words, 1 image, estimated 2:18 mins reading time)

Steve Hackett, At The Edge Of Light. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

At The Edge Of Light there is reason and there is the shadow, the light focusing on what gives us imagination and purpose, the shadows hiding for now the imperative of intention, the judgement of others in which the continuous rock face of their lies, their superficial engagement with our own lives, is lit up by the spark of realisation that we have to conquer the fear of the unknown first and then see the cliff and the rock face for what it is, the higher ground, the conviction of your own journey.

Steve Hackett, At The Edge Of Light. Album Review. full post

(492 words, 1 image, estimated 1:58 mins reading time)

Steve Hackett, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. (2017).

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

Steve Hackett at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, May 2017. Photograph by Ian D. Hall

The world has changed so much in the last 40 years that barely a whisper of it is now recognisable, fashions have come and gone, a couple of generations of music lovers have been born and slid silently into the edited grooves of downloadable music and fought with all their might to claim the art form as their own, that in their minds they, understandably, are the ones who invented music.

Steve Hackett, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. (2017). full post

(577 words, 1 image, estimated 2:18 mins reading time)

Steve Hackett, The Night Siren. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

To be consistent, to be so imaginatively fertile in the use of art across several decades and still sound as if the music you are creating is one that has been inspired by a Muse who knows a thing or two the subtle complexity of being Progressive, then either the world has been kind to you or you just happen to be the person who listens to ones who weep at dusk, who sing songs of fantasy and freedom in the depths of midnight’s favourite illusion or the sense of peace offered by The Night Siren.

Steve Hackett, The Night Siren. Album Review. full post

(429 words, estimated 1:43 mins reading time)

Steve Hackett, Gig Review. O2 Arena, London. Stone Free Festival.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

Progressive Rock royalty comes in many different forms, many distinct tastes and moments that in the end the fans list could so wildly dissimilar that they would surely encompass the whole colourful spectrum. It is in the nature of such lists that one name would positively stand out, would always grab the attention of the crowd, Steve Hackett, the quiet man of Progressive Rock but also arguably the most prestigious and creatively entertaining; it is no wonder that he was amongst the headline musicians for the inaugural Stone Free Festival.

Steve Hackett, Gig Review. O2 Arena, London. Stone Free Festival. full post

(389 words, estimated 1:33 mins reading time)

Steve Hackett, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. (2015).

Steve Hackett at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. October 2015. Photograph by Ian D. Hall

Steve Hackett at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. October 2015. Photograph by Ian D. Hall

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9.5/10

The sound of the call to Prayers, the resonance afforded by the subtle backdrop of the mysticism of a far off land and strangely enticing colourful culture fills the Philharmonic Hall in Liverpool to the point where is such things were possible, you would swear that the smells and sounds of the welcoming East were about to land in the middle of the stage where graduates have smiled and guitars have been played and would dominate the night.

Steve Hackett, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. (2015). full post

(634 words, 1 image, estimated 2:32 mins reading time)

Steve Hackett, Wolflight. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

It is not the first time that Steve Hackett has employed the nature of another place in which to invoke the stirrings of imagery, and yet, the concept of Wolflight is one that perhaps goes further than ever before to reach out beyond the natural and self imposed boundary and limits in which some fans of the virtuoso performer seem to place upon the experiences they feel when listening to the musician. It is a convention that has always required confrontation, one with a velvet glove and a sweet beauty, but still the challenge of perspective freedom must be attained.

Steve Hackett, Wolflight. Album Review. full post

(510 words, 1 image, estimated 2:02 mins reading time)

Steve Hackett, Genesis Revisited, Gig Review. Birmingham Symphony Hall.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

The invisible but highly audible Sirens that line up and down Birmingham’s glittering Broad Street area could have bayed and bleated all night long as they watched the neon lights fade and dim to obscurity, nothing could have torn the rapt attention of the audience inside the Symphony Hall away from Steve Hackett and the band as they recreated for the final night in the U.K., the songs that entranced a generation and beyond.

Steve Hackett, Genesis Revisited, Gig Review. Birmingham Symphony Hall. full post

(725 words, 2 images, estimated 2:54 mins reading time)

Steve Hackett, Gig Review (October 2013). Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 91/2 /10

There are very few performers that will attempt to capture the magic, the very special experience of a gig twice in the same venue in the same year. Then again, it may have been thought impossible to recapture the very essence of a classic in the first place. However when the venue is the prestigious Philharmonic Hall and the artist is the phenomenal guitarist Steve Hackett, it really shouldn’t come as any surprise at all that the musician and his finely crafted band should once more come to Liverpool and give the legion of fans in the city yet another night to remember.

Steve Hackett, Gig Review (October 2013). Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. full post

(669 words, estimated 2:41 mins reading time)