Steve Hackett: every album, every song

by Geoffrey Feakes

Guitarist Steve Hackett first came to many fan’s attention when he joined Genesis in 1971. Following seven excellent albums with the band, he went his own way in 1977. He had already kick started his solo career with the critically acclaimed Voyage of the Acolyte in 1975 but 24 studio albums followed, making him the most prolific member of the classic Genesis line-up. In the 1980s, he also formed GTR with Yes guitarist Steve Howe and they enjoyed commercial success with a hit album and single. Steve’s solo work has embraced rock, prog, classical, blues, pop, jazz and world music, all performed with style and panache and his most recent album At the Edge of Light released in 2019 is perhaps his best since the classic Spectral Mornings in 1979. On stage, he has kept the Genesis flame burning brightly, performing the band’s classic material from the 1970s alongside his own work. He remains one of the most innovative and influential musicians in rock. This book examines, in detail, each one of Steve’s studio albums and traces his long and varied history. Collaborations, live albums and compilations are also discussed, making this the most comprehensive guide to the music of Steve Hackett yet published. Whether the reader is a diehard fan or someone wishing to catch-up on his post Genesis work, Steve Hackett on track is essential reading.

Genres: Music

176 pages, Paperback

Published August 15, 2021

Reviews

[Brendan Newport · Rating 3 out of 5]

I buy a lot of these 'On Track' books, but they are of varying quality.

On track...Camel by Hamish Kuzminski is a terrific volume, with a forward by Steve Rothery and with fabulous insights by Kuzminski into the background behind each Camel album and the individual tracks and the history of the band and in particular Andy Latimer.

Geoffrey Feakes on track...Steve Hackett is in the same format, but just doesn't give the level of insight that Kuzminski book provides. I can't rightly put my finger on why that is so. I suspect it is just a writing style difference; Kuzminski I think writes from the perspective of a fan, rather than an expert on the subject (though he's that too) and consequently his writing is so much more affable.

Regardless, Feakes work is essential if, like me, you are a fan of Steve Hackett's work. I own more Hackett albums than I have Genesis albums and the only other artist I have more releases represented in my collection is Pearl Jam, though I've not yet read Ben L. Connors 'on track...Pearl Jam' volume.

[Allan Heron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Does what it says on the tin. No more, no less.