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

Stunning and achingly beautiful!!

Robert M Briggs III | Lake City, PA | 10/17/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I found this at Borders at its grand opening in Erie, PA, and scooped it right up. I am still in the midst of my first listen, and must implore all Hackett fans - as well as any who enjoy classical guitar in all its splendor and simple beauty - to pick this one up. The recording is live and uninterrupted. Every song is lovingly introduced by Steve, and he often speaks in Italian to what had to be a delighted audience. This is simply gorgeous stuff.... buy it and indulge yourself!!!"

Faithful to the concert experience

Keith A. Morse | Aurora, CO USA | 08/21/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

""There are Many Sides to the Night" is a fine recording of a first-rate concert. It's both a good Steve Hackett sampler and a must for any Hackett archivists.Hackett and accompanist Julian Colbeck deliver faithful renditions of selections from Hackett's solo acoustic work, stretching back to Genesis. I don't know if Hackett will ever tour in the U.S. again. He did a time or two in the 1980s and I recall that the acoustic segment he played at a concert I attended drew rousing applause. This may be the only opportunity we state-siders get to hear him "live."Almost all of these tunes can be found on previous Hackett albums and two -- "Kim" and "Horizons" -- are making their third appearance on record. Hackett fans or neophytes will find little new on this CD -- a couple of selections at most, so far as I can tell.The only serious reinterpretations come on "Ace of Wands," where Colbeck's piano takes the melodic lead in place of the electric guitar part found on Hackett's "Voyage of the Acolyte," and on "Kim," where Hackett plays the melody on guitar whereas the previous two versions feature a flute. What follows are the nittiest of nits:I wish Hackett had included "When You Wish Upon a Star," from the album "Till We Have Faces," in his concert so we could have it on this CD. I know that this is a live album and is intended to be a faithful reproduction of a Hackett solo show, but I think the extended applause segments between some of the pieces to drag a little. Hackett announces his "last" song of the night and, of course, after the selection, the applause swells and he comes out for the obligatory encore. And then another. I grew tired of this ritual years ago, but maybe that's just me."