Album review: STEVE HACKETT – Foxtrot At Fifty + Hackett Highlights: Live In Brighton

David Randall chatted to Steve Hackett in September 2023 as part of the GRTR!@20 promotion when Steve was the September “Grotto of Greatness” inductee. This is an edited version of the radio show that will be broadcast in its entirety on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, 1 October, 18:00 GMT. (For the web, some tracks have been edited).

Inside Out Music [Release date 15.09.23]

We have to ask: Do we really need another Steve Hackett live album? Our September inductee in the hallowed “GRTR! Grotto of Greatness” has released seven live albums since 2013. The truth is, unless you must have everything the man has produced and/or were particularly impressed with the specific tour (or even attended the Brighton gig) the answer has to be a resounding no.

However each of these releases is a wonderful document of Hackett’s trawl through Genesis back catalogue and, to a lesser extent, his more selective treatment of solo material.

For many, the ‘Seconds Out’ sortie in the second half 2021 was a bit of a cop-out because it was essentially a Genesis greatest hits but, Lockdown notwithstanding, he got back on track with his 50th anniversary celebration of ‘Foxtrot’.

As ever, it’s an immaculate production and even better on the 5.1 Bluray disc which evidences what makes these tours so compelling: great staging and even greater musicianship.

There is inevitably duplication between live releases and frustratingly the new solo albums don’t really get a look-in. ‘Surrender Of Silence’ was hailed by some as his heaviest/darkest album but only ‘The Devil’s Cathedral’ appears here.

And, of Steve’s earlier solo works, he chose to celebrate the “highlights”. But most tracks have also appeared on previous outings. In terms of his millennium live comeback it was only in 2016 that he shifted the focus slightly from Genesis Revisited.

In his summary of our past twenty years coverage, our Prog Rock Editor Alan Jones made the plea that – amidst all the Genesis excitement – hopefully punters will be turned on to Hackett’s own illustrious back catalogue. In other words it should never be overlooked or underestimated. ‘Sierra Quemada’ anyone?

A behind the scenes documentary – on the Bluray – provides added value but we now await the completion of a new solo album and fleeting reference in, inevitably, ‘The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway’ and ‘A Trick Of The Tail’ themed shows to come. ****

Review by David Randall

Feature (GRTR!@20 The Grotto of Greatness) – 20 years of reviews and interviews

Steve Hackett is on tour in North America 3 October-18 November 2023 returning 1 March-9 April 2024.

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

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David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 20 October 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 22 October 2024.

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Power Plays w/c 28 October 2024

THE RASMUS Rest In Pieces (Better Noise Music)
THE PLAGUE What Else Can I Do (FiXT)
STAR CIRCUS Turn The Tide (indie)
DEFENCES Breathe It In (Long Branch Records)

Featured Albums w/c 28 October 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)