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Steve Hackett

Steve Hackett is renowned as an immensely talented and innovative rock musician. He was lead guitarist with Genesis as part of their classic line up with Gabriel, Collins, Banks and Rutherford, that produced acclaimed albums such as Selling England by the Pound (a favourite of John Lennon). With Steve's extraordinary versatility in both his electric guitar playing and his composing, he involves influences from many genres, including Jazz, World Music and Blues. He is equally adept in his classical albums that include renditions of pieces by composers from Bach to Satie, his own acoustic guitar compositions that have gained the admiration of many, including Yehudi Menuhin, and ambitious guitar/ orchestra albums such as A Midsummer Night's Dream, recorded with the Royal Philharmonic.

With Genesis, Steve's guitar playing produced some of the most memorable moments, from the sensitivity of his acoustic sound on Horizons and Blood on the Rooftopsto the dramatic rock guitar solos of Firth of Fifth and Fountain of Salmacis. As he embarked on his solo career he developed his exceptional range, pushing musical boundaries into exciting areas, inventing new sounds and also techniques such as 'tapping'. His solo career went from strength to strength and the mid eighties not only saw the hit single Cell 151, but also the Steve Hackett and Steve Howe super group GTR, highly successful in America.

After GTR Steve worked further with many renowned musicians such as Paul Carrick, Bonny Tyler, John Wetton and Brian May, who has credited Steve as an early influence. Steve went on to produce his hit album Genesis Revisited. He went even further back to his roots with Blues with a Feeling, whilst continuing to challenge his own 'horizons' with an amazingly eclectic mix of sounds, genres and a sense of the exotic that excites his many followers to this day.

Recent albums have possessed a high level of sophistication, along with an ever-present powerful dynamic, from the dramatic and atmospheric darkness of Darktown and Wild Orchids to the colourful voyage through time and space of To Watch the Storms. 2009's Out Of The Tunnel's Mouth, written and recorded in the midst of domestic and professional upheaval, was released to an overwhelmingly positive response from fans and reviewers alike, many of them proclaiming it his best ever. Hot on the heels of OOTTM was Beyond the Shrouded Horizon released in 2011, which has easily received an equally enthusiastic response. In 2012 Steve collaborated with Chris Squire of Yes on the "Squackett" album A Life Within a Day.

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Extended Analysis

Steve Hackett: Wolflight (Extended Edition)

Read "Steve Hackett: Wolflight (Extended Edition)" reviewed by John Kelman


After spending the better part of three years recording, releasing and touring Genesis Revisted 2 (Inside Out, 2012), and not one but two resultant live documents--Genesis Revisited -Live at Hammersmith (Inside Out, 2013) and Genesis Revisited -Live at the Royal Albert Hall (Inside Out, 2014)--it's frankly remarkable that ex-Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett actually found the time to record a new solo album. But with the sweepingly ambitious Wolflight, it's even more so; an album that seamlessly marries a plethora of ...

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Extended Analysis

Steve Hackett: Genesis Revisited - Live at the Royal Albert Hall (Limited Artbook Edition)

Read "Steve Hackett: Genesis Revisited - Live at the Royal Albert Hall (Limited Artbook Edition)" reviewed by John Kelman


Recorded just five months after the three-CD/two-DVD Genesis Revisited: Live at Hammersmith (Inside Out, 2013), it's not an unreasonable question to ask: why another show from the same tour (given the tour has been extended even further, by popular demand, into 2014 under the moniker Genesis Extended, featuring the same lineup with the exception of Nick Beggs replacing Lee Pomeroy on bass, bass pedals, guitar and vocals)--especially when this is the music of Genesis, a group renowned for its desire ...

19
Extended Analysis

Steve Hackett: Genesis Revisited - Live at Hammersmith

Read "Steve Hackett: Genesis Revisited - Live at Hammersmith" reviewed by John Kelman


With such a broad repertoire of classic progressive rock, it's a very good thing, indeed, that guitarist Steve Hackett--despite leaving the group on the cusp of far greater commercial success (but, alas, also compromising its progressive nature)--has kept the music of Peter Gabriel-era (and slightly beyond) Genesis alive since leaving the group in October, 1977. But while Hackett's post-Genesis live sets have, in the ensuing decades, almost always included selections from the group's songbook--beginning with his first appearance with the ...

8
Live Review

Steve Hackett at Casino du Lac Leamy Theatre

Read "Steve Hackett at Casino du Lac Leamy Theatre" reviewed by John Kelman


Steve Hackett Casino du Lac Leamy Théâtre Gatineau, Canada October 5, 2013 It might seem odd that the guitarist who left Genesis more than 35 years ago has ultimately become the only one to champion the music made during the group's years spent in the progressive rock arena, while those who continued on as a trio expressed less and less interest in that music, becoming far more commercially successful with the '80s-style pop that became ...

384
Album Review

Peter Banks: Two Sides of Peter Banks

Read "Two Sides of Peter Banks" reviewed by John Kelman


Pity poor Peter Banks. Unceremoniously ousted from the group he co-founded, on the cusp of greater success, the guitarist went on to relative obscurity after a quick run with Flash, while his band mates in Yes became megastars with hits like “Roundabout" and albums like Close to the Edge (Atlantic, 1972). He may not have possessed the instantaneous charisma and stunning virtuosity of his replacement, Steve Howe, but he was a fine guitarist, as this remastered edition of his solo ...

288
Album Review

Steve Hackett: Wild Orchids

Read "Wild Orchids" reviewed by John Kelman


With the rumor mill in high gear about a 2007 Genesis reunion, the release of band alumnus Steve Hackett's Wild Orchid couldn't come at a better time. This release reminds us just how significantly Genesis changed after his departure in 1977. Virtually all affiliation with the progressive rock camp that the group inhabited during the first part of its career ended when Hackett left after the tour that resulted in Seconds Out (Atlantic, 1977). Given the mega commercial success that ...

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Album Review

Steve Hackett: Feedback 86/Live Archives-70,80,90s/Darktown

Read "Feedback 86/Live Archives-70,80,90s/Darktown" reviewed by Glenn Astarita


Guitarist Steve Hackett’s post “Genesis” solo career has seemingly garnered more visibility in Europe in Japan, while he has maintained a loyal following on these American shores. Other than his brief, and commercially successful affiliation with the 80’s band “GTR,” the guitar great has been churning out significant material throughout the 80s and 90s. In fact, Hackett’s signature approach, consisting of ringing sustained notes, legato voicings and slick picking can account for a major component of “Genesis”’ now infamous 70s ...

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Recording

Italian Prog Ensemble Sarastro Blake Release Debut Cd Featuring Members Of Yes, Caravan, Greenslade, Alan Parsons Project And Steve Hackett Band

Italian Prog Ensemble Sarastro Blake Release Debut Cd Featuring Members Of Yes, Caravan, Greenslade, Alan Parsons Project And Steve Hackett Band

Source: Glass Onyon PR - William James

Italy – Prog music enthusiasts worldwide are buzzing with excitement about the debut release by Italian ensemble Sarastro Blake titled 'New Progmantics'. Sarastro Blake is a new musical project which takes its inspiration from the Alan Parsons Project as a band format, meaning it revolves around a few selected musicians, plus other special guests who are chosen for their specific talent and for certain songs. Featuring prog legends Rick Wakeman (YES), Richard Sinclair (Caravan/Hatfield & The North), Nick Magnus (Steve ...

Recording

Debut Release By UK Prog Band Lifesigns Featuring Guest Appearances By Steve Hackett, Thijs Van Leer And Jakko Jakszyk Now Available On Esoteric Antenna Records

Debut Release By UK Prog Band Lifesigns Featuring Guest Appearances By Steve Hackett, Thijs Van Leer And Jakko Jakszyk Now Available On Esoteric Antenna Records

Source: Glass Onyon PR - William James

London, UK – Esoteric Recordings are pleased to announce the latest release on new front-line label, Esoteric Antenna, dedicated to new releases by both new acts and established artists. Lifesign's eponymous release has the hallmarks of being one of the finest progressive rock albums of 2013! Making the album even more impressive is the guest appearances from such respected figures in progressive music as Steve Hackett, Thijs Van Leer (focus), Jakko Jakszyk (King Crimson), and Robin Boult (John Young Band). ...

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Wolflight

Inside Out Music
2015

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Steve Hackett:...

Inside Out Music
2015

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Steve Hackett:...

Inside Out Music
2014

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Steve Hackett:...

Inside Out Music
2013

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Two Sides of Peter...

Esoteric Recordings
2010

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Tribute

Embarka Records
2008

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