Best known as the main guitarist for Genesis from 1971 to 1977, Steve Hackett has long been regarded as one of the leading progressive rock guitarists of his generation. This remastered pressing of his 1979 album features ... more »16 tracks including the 8 bonus tracks 'Everyday' (alternate mix), 'The Virgin And Gypsy' (alternate mix), 'Tigermoth' (alternate mix), 'The Ballad Of The decomposing Man' (alternate mix), 'Clocks' (single version), 'Live Acoustic Section', 'Tigermoth' (live version) & 'The Caretaker'. EMI. 2005.« less
Best known as the main guitarist for Genesis from 1971 to 1977, Steve Hackett has long been regarded as one of the leading progressive rock guitarists of his generation. This remastered pressing of his 1979 album features 16 tracks including the 8 bonus tracks 'Everyday' (alternate mix), 'The Virgin And Gypsy' (alternate mix), 'Tigermoth' (alternate mix), 'The Ballad Of The decomposing Man' (alternate mix), 'Clocks' (single version), 'Live Acoustic Section', 'Tigermoth' (live version) & 'The Caretaker'. EMI. 2005.
CD Reviews
Classic 70's Hackett - good introduction to his work
It's Me, | Houston | 09/29/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is the best best place to start for Steve Hackett's solo career. "Spectral Mornings" includes plenty of the soaring, melodic electric guitar playing for which he was famous in Genesis. It also has his wonderful nylon-string acoustic work and a pleasant mix of softer songs with vocal harmonies and heavier rock tunes. There is also some of the British whimsy that usually finds its way into his work. This long-awaited remastered edition greatly improves the sound quality on this album and includes some strong bonus tracks as well. The title track may be Hackett's best electric instrumental ever, and the melody will stick with the listener long after the album is over. Hackett's first four solo albums have all been remastered in similar fashion. The first one, "Voyage of the Acolyte" is probably the next best pick.
"
Great remaster
W. Schmidt | Beaverton, Oregon USA | 05/26/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I love remasters like these; you don't mind re-buying album because not only is the audio quality improved but you get worthwhile bonus tracks. With the extras the CD clocks in at close to 75 min, quite a bit more than the original. The alternate version of "Every Day" with the different ending is a standout. I like it better than the standard version. The other tracks all offer some intriguing differences as well.
This is one of Hackett's strongest albums, and if you enjoy his style you can't go wrong here."
Steve's Spectral Mornings
Alan Caylow | USA | 03/31/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett names his third solo album, 1979's "Spectral Mornings," as his personal favorite. While *my* personal fave from Steve is his first solo album, "Voyage Of The Acolyte," "Spectral Mornings" is an excellent choice. It's a terrific album, filled with a great mix of powerful rock pieces ("Every Day," "Clocks/The Angel Of Mons," and the classic, majestic title track), beautiful instrumentals ("The Red Flower Of Tachai Blooms Everywhere" and "Lost Time In Cordoba"), and even a very humorous novelty song ("The Ballad Of The Decomposing Man") thrown in for extra measure. And shining brightly throughout it all is Hackett's magnificent guitar work. "Spectral Mornings" is a classic Steve Hackett album."
The Remaster You Must Own
M. Elam | MO | 02/24/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Of all Steve Hackett's remastered albums Spectral Mornings is probably the best of the series. All of the re-issues (Voyage of the Acolyte, Please Don't Touch!, Spectral Mornings, Defector, Cured, Highly Strung) are worth having for the remastered tracks apart from any extras on the CDs, but having bonus material is nice. Having said that, Spectral Mornings offers the best selection of bonus tracks.
The four alternative mixes add new interest to already-interesting songs. The live tracks are a nice mix of acoustic (beautiful renditions of "Kim", "Blood on the Rooftops" intro., etc.) and electric work (a weighty version of "Tigermoth"), with very good sound quality. And the studio talk track is an interesting, if puzzling, piece in the vein of Jethro Tull (end of "Baker Street Blues") and Pink Floyd (throughout "Alan's Psychedelic Breakfast").
This is the best of a very good series of Remasters."
"Lost Time In Cordoba"...a masterpiece
Phasedin | New Jersey | 10/12/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"If you're at all like me and think that the apex of Genesis' music is "Wind And Wuthering" (Hackett's last studio recording with the band), and you love the impressionistic instrumental "leaves-are-falling on an overcast Autumn day" feeling that ran through "W & W" (particularly on Hackett's track "Blood On The Rooftops", a true highlight of that masterpiece), then I have to say that the instrumental track here "Lost Time In Cordoba" is one of the few tracks I have heard from any artist, anywhere, that once again captures that feeling.
Although "Lost Time" is an instrumental and "Rooftops" had lyrics, much of the instrumentation is the same: lovely classical guitar and haunting mellotron synthesizer strings. On the Genesis track Tony Banks' keyboards did an impression of an oboe. Here Hackett's brother achieves the same effect with his flute.
This one track seems very much overlooked in Hackett's discography and it wil probably never even make it onto a compilation, so this is the only place you're likely to hear it.
If you find you enjoy this track as much as I do, the closest thing to it in Hackett's catalog is probably his first wonderful all-instrumental classical guitar album "Bay Of Kings".
I just wanted to comment on this one track in particular since it's sadly NEVER mentioned anywhere it seems-not even by Hackett's fans..I've been loving this track way back since 1979 when I first purchased the vinyl edition of this and my high opinion of the piece has only inceased over all that time..
Track Listings (16) - Disc #1