Steve Hackett and the Underworld Orchestra: Metamorpheus

Steve Hackett (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 5, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Inside Out U.S.
• ASIN: B0007Y09RI
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #115,981 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. The Pool Of Memory And The Pool Of Forgetfulness

2. To Earth Like Rain

3. Song To Nature

4. One Real Flower

5. The Dancing Ground

6. That Vast Life

7. Eurydice Taken

8. Charon's Call

9. Cerberus At Peace

10. Under The World - Orpheus Looks Back

11. The Broken Lyre

12. Severance

13. Elegy

14. Return To The Realm Of Eternal Renewal

15. Lyra

Editorial Reviews

Ever since his days as the guitarist for Genesis, Steve Hackett has been setting new standards for his instrument. Matchless versatility combined with extraordinary passion has transformed him through time into a musician's musician. In addition to his work in progressive rock, Steve Hackett has also shown remarkable dedication in the pursuit of his classical side. To date he has released 5 acoustic/classical albums, and has appeared as the featured soloist with the London Chamber Orchestra, earning the respect of both rock contemporaries and classical figures alike.

Metamorpheus, the latest project, is the natural successor to 1997’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream (which spent several weeks in the UK classical charts). It combines nylon strung guitar with orchestra, seamlessly merging small and large musical forces.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully melodic combo of classical guitar with orchestra, April 15, 2005

By 

D. DuBois "Guitarist" (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Steve Hackett and the Underworld Orchestra: Metamorpheus (Audio CD)

Lush and romantic setting with just the right amount of edge for the story of Orpheus's voyage to the underworld. Upon a few listens I found many of the melodies were very memorable. Nice original music that nods occasionally to Ravel and Morricone yet quite original. The guitar playing is super as are the orchestral players. Very well engineered too. Found this a more balanced effort than Hackett's Midsummer's CD that also featured a guitar and orchestra setting.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best of his acoustic albums, August 8, 2005

By 

W. Schmidt (Beaverton, Oregon USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Steve Hackett and the Underworld Orchestra: Metamorpheus (Audio CD)

Hackett hops back and forth between the classical music and progressive rock worlds, and has had hit and misses in both. Happily, this is one of his most diverse and atmospheric classical accomplishments. Even fans who prefer his progressive work might find this a satisfying listen, since it occasionally echoes some of his Genesis era pastoral guitar interludes. Even though I greatly enjoyed "A Midsummer Night's Dream" this new CD seems more cohesive and satisfying overall. It's a lovely creation.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Superb concept well executed, May 2, 2005

By 

o dubhthaigh (north rustico, pei, canada) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Steve Hackett and the Underworld Orchestra: Metamorpheus (Audio CD)

Dealing with the mythology was always a formidable strongpoint for Steve Hackett. That he is one of the finest nylon string guitar players in the world only enhances the wonder, the lyricism and the sophistication of his tales. He is not a singer by any means, but it's his hands that tell the story. "Blood On The Rooftops" from the Genesis days is just one of the many extraordinary examples of the sophistication he brought to rock, invoking the legend of Passover into the backdrop of American TV violence and the Israeli-Palestinian cross-fire.
On this latest disc, moving away from social commentary, Shakespeare and back into Greek mythology, Hackett along with his cadres have created a classical masterpiece. The integration of the instruments is subtle. The pacing of the tale is dead-on. His fingerpicking and plectrum work set him apart from both classical and rock contemporaries. I can think of only Steve Howe, with whom he shared an entirely unsuccessful collaboration that played to none of their strengths (GTR), and Sharon Isbin, I can think of no other contemporary guitarist with that capacity for storytelling as well as finesse. Hackett must surely channel John Dowland, both thematically and stylistically. It is a chamber work on offer here, more baroque than classical, but it is one of the ways in which ancient myth informs us of the perils of our particular age.
This is a significant addition to the canon of guitar music.