Customer Reviews

Spectral Mornings

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Hackett's third solo effort represents, along with the next one "Defector", the peak of his on-again, off-again career. "Spectral Mornings" takes off in the directions Genesis should have gone in had Hackett stayed; the gorgeous Asian touches in "Virgin And The Gypsy" and "Red Flower Of Tachai" add a pleasing new dimension to the proceedings. The guitarwork is excellent throughout, with the best saved for the bittersweet instrumental title track, which is reminiscent of his work on "Firth Of Fifth" and "The Lamia". Although the vocals on "Every Day" (an otherwise good song) are somewhat AOR-ish and "Ballad Of The Decomposing Man" screams 'filler', the album as a whole is recommended as an excellent starting point for those just getting into Hackett's solo career. Listening to this and "And Then There Were Three" side by side, it becomes painfully obvious where much of the spirit of Genesis resided...

Steve Hackett's 1979 album, "Spectral Mornings" is a beautiful atmospheric album from start to finish! One of the last great Mellotron albums as well. However before I bought this album, I was already familiar with "Every Day" & "Spectral Mornings" due to my downloadings on Bearshare. I just purchased this album in Late December, 2004. Just like his first album, this is an album to be appreaciated from start to finish. I instantly love "The Virgin & The Gypsy" when I first heard it. It has such an early Yes feel (hints of "And You & I" to be exact). Hackett's voice doesn't sound bad at all! "Tigermoth" is another keeper as well. One reviewer said about this album is that you should listen after a stressful day. I absolute agree. I say, get a bottle of whatever & close your eyes, & let this album take you to another place, another dimension-the Steve Hackett dimension. Buy this album. I recommend it & it will be money well spent. Lastly, everyone who reads this, do you think I should be listening to this album for I'm only 26?

He's one of the best guitarists of all time, considering the progressive scene and not only ... "Spectral Mornings" is his TRADEMARK, this track being one of his best tracks ever and almost equal (talking about ITS IMPACT) to his guitar solo in "Firth of Fifth" and "Horizon" as well, rightly to mention something famous among his several gems !! Nevertheless you find something special also in the AOR songs like "Everyday", another classic during his performances live on stage ...instead "Lost time in Cordoba" is another underrated song, this being quite original !!

Highly recommended!! (Above all if you are a Genesis fan, considering their last progressive epoque,during the issue of "Wind and Wuthering")

That's quite a feat, when that genre was pretty much dead sfter being driven into the ground by the likes of Yes and more so by ELP. two bands I really liked earlier in their careers. There were also a host of lesser known groups beating a dead horse prior to Hackett's first 3 solo records. That's why this is so good. It didn't sound like those. Nor did "Please Don't Touch" or "Voyage Of The Accolyte". The title track is one of the most beautifull pieces of electronic guitar I've ever heard. Oh, I almost forgot about GTR. I have to say that was truly a shot at making big bucks with all the hype around it. I'm glad it didn't do well. It was a complete waste of the talents of 2 of my favorite guitarists.

From the day I was introduced to this remarkable album (yes, in vinyl) when it was released in 1979, I have had shivers go up and down my spine every time I listen to Every Day, and the closing title track. And nothing in between disappoints, either. Rather, the other tracks lay the groundwork for future releases. Although I became rather enamored of the vocal deliveries of Pete Hicks, I missed him less and less as Hackett sang more and worked on his own delivery. This release stands as one of his absolute premiere recordings.

Steve Hackett was the second guitar player Genesis ever had (Anthony Phillips was the first one and is as good as Hackett),
and this is his second solo cd. He has the rare ability as guitarrist, to be able to play as only masters can in different styles: he is a consumate clasical and acustic guitar performer (he has many accustic and clasical cds),he also is a masterful blues guitarrist and armonica player, and he is a master of masters in electric guitar and member of the exclusive club of guitar masters that owns his personal tone or sound. You recognize his playing from the first note you hear him (as Santana, Steve Gilmour, Steve Howe, Brian May or Edward Van Halen). His second "album" is the first where he strech his sound and posibilities, not only as guitar player, composer, armonica player or even vocalist. This collection includes some of the best "progresive" guitar songs ever, creating momentum only comparable to among many others: "Every Step of the Way" (Santana), "Stairway to Heaven" (Led Zeppelin), "Confortably Numb" (Pink Floyd) or "You and I" (Yes).
"Every Day", "Spectral Mornings" and "Tigermonth" are exceptional songs as well as "The Virgin and the gipsy".
Get this cd if you are a guitar player or want to become one.

This is a 1979 solo album by ex-Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett--it's his third solo album, and easily my favorite. After two albums played with an assortment of guests, Hackett had now put together a six-piece touring band, with keyboardist Nick Magnus and Hackett's younger brother John on flute the most noteworthy members. On this album, Hackett unveils a signature sound, a sort of über-Genesis sound, with Magnus building a sonic wall of keyboards and Hackett cutting through it with his wailing guitar. This sound is the basis for "Every Day" (the hardest rocker, ending with a rousing Hackett solo), the gorgeous instrumental "Spectral Mornings", "Clocks-the Angel of Mons", and the first half of "Tigermoth". The first two of these are the standout tracks of the album. Hackett also indulges his softer side with the acoustic ballad "The Virgin and the Gypsy" (with lovely vocal harmonies and John soloing on bamboo flute), "The Red Flower of Tachai Blooms Everywhere" (with Steve playing koto), and "Lost Time in Córdoba" (which starts with Steve on acoustic and John on flute, and moves into Magnus playing a synthesized oboe sound over Steve's electric strumming). Of the 8 or 9 of Hackett's solo albums that I've heard, this is the most consistent. I reserve 5 stars for albums of the caliber of "Foxtrot" and "The Lamb", which is why this only gets 4 stars--that doesn't mean I don't recommend "Spectral Mornings". It has good songs, good playing, and good production.

(1=poor 2=mediocre 3=pretty good 4=very good 5=phenomenal)

My old vinyl copy of this album was worn down by constant replaying, and it has aged beautifully. Sadly, they really don;t make them like this anymore - this level of guitar artistry and musical adventurism is lost to a bygone era, it seems.

Certainly this could be seen as a rehearsal for the majesty of the `Defector' album which followed the following year, because whilst it treads similar musical furrows it isn't quite as successful as its younger brother. Steve was seemingly still not confident about his singing voice, since his lead vocal on `Ballad of the Decomposing Man' is done as an annoying inflected George Formby impersonation. It's a slight piece of whimsy which detracts from the other material (and hence loses a star). However, with CDs you can at least skip over it ... The rest of the album is pure Hackett sound-drama, and should be in the collection of any music fan with any imagination at all.

Aside from an outstanding title track, this mildly appealing solo work shows how Hackett thrives best when challenged by musical equals.

One of the great prog-rock guitarists, Steve Hackett can go from being upbeat and catchy to being dark and mysterious. Anything he does in in supreme taste, especially the beautiful, atmospheric masterpiece "The Virgin And The Gypsy."