Album review: STEVE HACKETT – The Circus And The Nightwhale

Inside Out [Release date: 16.02.24]

As a recognition of 50 (ish) years in ‘the biz’, Steve Hackett, erstwhile guitarist of Genesis, has released not only a landmark 30th solo album, but also bookended his solo career by releasing a concept album – his only one since his first solo effort ‘Voyage Of The Acolyte’ way back in 1975.

The concept here is loosely based on a character called ‘Travla’ and his journey through life – but it is actually a musical biography based on Hackett’s own life experiences, from his early life in post-war London, through loves and experiences to the present day.

Genesis fans might jump to the conclusion that ‘The Circus And The Nightwhale’ has been lifted from the character of ‘Rael’ on Genesis’ ‘The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway’ album, but not so – whereas Rael was fictional and the album followed his story to a conclusion – TCATN is a series of events in the life of a real person and not necessarily in chronological order.

Right, that’s cleared that one up – André Preview anyone?

I read a few early reviews on this album, some good, some not so good, but the “not so good” critiques tended to follow the theme of “there’s too much guitar”. What the hell did they expect? It’s a solo album by the pre-eminent progressive rock guitarist of his generation – it’s bound to have a bit of guitar on it.

More to the point, where does it stand in Hackett’s body of work?

Well, there is no doubt it’s a Hackett album – other-worldly musicianship, check, a top band, check, superb songwriting, check, – but where it falters is the occasional triteness of the libretto.

Things get underway with ‘People Of The Smoke’ being introduced by a series of sounds that will be very familiar (to old farts like me anyway) – steam trains, posh voices on the radio, “Are you sitting comfortably” from “Listen With Mother” which lead into some searing guitar and lyrics such as “dirty look, do as you’re told, bow to your betters, Empire of old” – ah, the memories…

There’s some great stuff on here as we are given sneaky peeks into Hackett’s life – the four instrumentals represent the diversity of his guitar playing – from the anthemic ‘These Passing Clouds’, the scintillating guitar of ‘Breakout’, the emptiness of ‘All At Sea’ and the acoustic dexterity of closer ‘White Dove’.

There’s the menacing – ‘Taking You Down’ (with its Zappaesque ‘Willie The Pimp’ riff), ‘Circo Inferno’ (with it’s heavy middle-Eastern vibe) and the title track whose crescendos hark back to 1975’s ‘A Tower Struck Down’.

There’s (perhaps) the Genesis years – the ‘Entangled’-like ‘Enter The Ring’ (complete with Tull-like flute solo from brother John) and the self-explanatory ‘Get Me Out’ with its almost screaming-out-loud shredding.

And then there’s the love songs – ‘Found And Lost’ which is pleasant enough, but ‘Ghost Moon And Living Love’ and ‘Wherever You Are’ although classic Hackett, are let down with sanctimonious and trite lyrics – “Where the moon and stars shine in your eyes will our hearts still beat beyond the edge of time”. Pass me the bucket…

However, aside from these small ‘bum in the custard’ moments ‘The Circus And The Nightwhale is an absolute triumph – the band (as usual) are in top form and some of Hackett’s fretwork is simply sublime.

Ignore the naysayers – this is top notch music from a national treasure.

And you can’t have too much guitar – not when it’s played like this. *****

Review by Alan Jones

GRTR!@20 The Grotto (Steve Hackett, September 2023)

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