Search - Steve Hackett :: Guitar Noir/There Are Many Sides to the Night

Mixed feelings about this combination

Isle of Glass | 02/22/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"These two recordings represent two very different sides to Steve Hackett, and being a two-fer, a good deal if you are adding to your Hackett collection. Steve is an extremely talented musician, guitarist and composer. However, if you're new to Steve, you probably should invest in some of his other recordings. For the classical side, Momentum or A Midsummer's Nights Dream are studio recordings and more substantial (if you like live recordings, try his live CD/DVD from Hungary). On the rock side, the choices are some early Hackett (Please Don't Touch, Spectral Mornings, etc), or very recent recordings (like To Watch The Storms or Darktown). Guitar Noir, while interesting and full of some great guitar work, is from a Hackett period of very high production, lots of synthesis and way too much reverb. Other recordings in this period are "Feedback 86" and the supergroup GTR. Music from this period sounds too "produced" and artificial for my tastes. The rock recordings mentioned above have better compositions and are more musical. Certainly Hackett's recent classical and rock recordings show a maturity, spirit and compositional ability well beyond these recordings."

Gifted guitarist and composer

D. West | Pittsburgh, PA. | 11/12/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This a Snapper Recall 2-cd set.And represents two distinctly different facets of Steve Hackett's great repertoire. This is most accessible to those less familiar with Hackett's work, and for the more discerning fan "truly essential." "Guitar Noir" explores themes of "dark recesses of the human mind."The Guitar work can be enchanting and lifting at one moment and hypnotic the next. Hackett's vocals play a stronger part,creating a very nice texture. IMHO sounds like David Gilmour or Bryan Josh vocally. His harmonica playing is superb. The second disc "There are many sides to the night"is in total contrast to the first disc. Hackett plays solo and with the accompaniment of Julian Colbeck on keys. An "unplugged" performance. Recorded live in Palermo,Sicily in 1994, this is a great introduction to Hackett's classical recorded works. He plays a nylon-string guitar that conjures up a light,beautiful and often romantic sound. I have always felt there is a majesty and clarity to Hackett's playing, and that shines through here. Hackett also plays Giuliani,Vivaldi,and Morricone with his style and consumate musicianship.Steve Hackett, to this day, continues to create evocative, sophisticated and perfectly crafted music. In conclusion, these recordings are a testament to Steve Hacketts great skills and devotion to his art. Of course, you may already have these individual albums,therefore, making this purchase redundant. If you don't, hit "buy now" and you will be rewarded. Peace.

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