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Steve Hackett — Darktown
(Camino CAMCD17, 1999, CD)

Darktown Cover art

Come on, let’s get funky and rip this joint! That appears to be Steve Hackett’s updated credo on his new album of vocal-based songs in five years. Far gone are the obvious links to the old glories of Epping Forest as well surreal artistic nods via wife and longtime cover artist Kim Poor. In its place is a modern, bleak, and aggressive outlook from the lone wolf guitarist’s current state of mind. Or at least that’s how it appears on the surface. With the opening tracks, “Omega Metallicus” and “Darktown Riot” Hackett shows a penchant to tear it up with a brutal Jeff Beck shred approach. However there are a few nods to the past with his ability to invoke graceful passion and craft. “Twice Around the Sun” recalls the powerfully serene moments of Spectral Mornings with more maturity and understated power, while “Man Overboard” conjures familiar themes similar to Genesis’ A Trick of the Tail. The tone of the disk (confirmed on “Rise Again”) is an inside look at an old warrior from the grave returning to clear a path within uncertain musical territory. Overall mood seems more exploratory like on Please Don’t Touch or more aptly, an extension of 1993’s Guitar Noir. One guest vocalist, Jim Diamond is present on “Days of Long Ago” another classic ballad while Hackett himself handles all vocal leads or recitation. Recording engineer Roger King and producer, Billy Budis are also co-conspirators in several tracks using rhythm and bass samples to imply a group rather than individual project. Over 20 years removed from his initial success, Hackett has tried many times to focus on a clear sense of artistic identity outside a band construct with limited accolades. Hopefully with Darktown the time may come where he can showcase his ability to a wider audience.

by Jeff Melton, Published 1999-11-01

Who is Steve Hackett? To a progger his name is legend, but what is extraordinary is that for nearly 22 years he has put out a body of work that has rivaled or surpassed his peers. While Genesis has faltered, floundered, and even failed, Steve has consistently, for the most part, put out worthwhile music. As a solo artist we’ve listened to Steve mature as both a writer and a singer. Steve’s latest album is Darktown, and while I was very pleased with his last (original) album, Guitar Noir, Darktown is even better. Steve knows how to balance an album, from his almost patented guitar sound to an acoustic ballad. He’s also learned how to use his voice effectively. His “band” for this release is new, but since we are in the age of digital sampling and recording, maybe assistants would be a better term. Steve is the prime mover on these songs. However, on occasion you hear Sir Douglas Sinclair on bass, and Roger King and Ben Fenner on various keyboard-related objects. Also appearing in some form are John Hackett, John Wetton, and Ian McDonald. The opener, “Omega Metallicus,” has a slap bass, funk type groove upon which Steve does some nasty soloing. The title track “Darktown” is a homage to those that survived the British education system, and is as somber an affair as the gloomy gravestones on the cover would portray. “Days of Long Ago” is a “wistful love song” (according to the liner notes) featuring the vocals of Jim Diamond, and it is just that: a very nice song. Steve raves about Mr. Diamond and I have to agree. “Twice Around the Sun” is an excellent instrumental, and is why we buy Steve Hackett albums to begin with, a long guitar piece laden with sustain. On Darktown Steve has retained the elements we listen for in his music, while succeeding on the more personal kind of song. “Man Overboard” and “Jane Austen’s Door” show how Steve has matured as an artist. He was always a good lyricist, but now he can sing well enough to make it work, and work well. I also really liked the album art. All the shots are duotones of gravestones — very cool, as is this album. As I write this, the CD has spun on, once again reminding me how far Steve has come. And as you listen to his guitar playing on “In Memoriam” you may forget he was ever in any other band. Highly recommended.

by Dane Carlson, Published 1999-11-01

Filed under: New releases, Issue 18, 1999 releases

Related artist(s): Steve Hackett, John Wetton, Ian McDonald

More info
http://insideoutmusic.bandcamp.com/album/darktown-bonus-tracks-edition

 

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