SKETCHES OF SATIE (WITH JOHN HACKETT)

While I LOVE the compositions of Erik Satie, I think that Steve and brother John distilled and homogenized the songs here on this album--leaving me critical instead of happy. Too much reverb or spaciousness given to the flute--as well as putting John's flute so far forward as to almost drown out the background-sounding classical guitar. Plus, by letting the flute have most of the lead roles the melodies are too often rendered continuously, like a portamento synth, as if the piano's sustain pedal is never lifted, where as the performances I've heard that seem most satisfactory allow for some decay and staccato attack to each note. Satie's music is not New Age and thus should not be rendered so--especially by a prog artist who appreciates classical music. Though I have enjoyed synth-washed versions of Satie's works before, I came into this listening experience hoping for some truly illuminating interpretations but only came away dulled and unimpressed. If anyone could have done it well--and better than this--I would have thought it to be Steve Hackett. Still, it's Satie, so he can't turn everything sour--and they didn't. It is still eminently listenable (four stars) just not the exquisitely revelatory experience I was hoping for.