DEFECTOR

Remarkable, after Steve Hackett left Genesis in 1977 and went solo, the first ten years he hardly played Genesis songs on stage. But this decade his setlist is loaded with Genesis compositions, and he even did a Wind & Wuthering tour!

But back to those unsurpassed early years of Steve Hackett solo, here is a 3-disc version of his Defector album that was originally released in 1980. It is the successor of Spectral Mornings (1979), perhaps his most praised solo effort.

Disc 1: To me Defector sounds as a very well balanced record (even 50% instrumental/50% vocals) featuring ten varied compositions: slow and compelling in The Steppes, speedy and sumptuous in Slogans, romantic classical guitar in Two Vamps As Guests, awesome Grand piano in Hammer In The Sand, a kind of disco prog in The Show and use of the illusive Optigan in the 1940s inspired Sentimental Institution. You can enjoy Steve Hackett his very distinctive guitar sound, he is such a versatile and creative guitarist. The one moment slow and moving electric guitar runs or tender classical play, the other moment distorted sounds, the tremolo technique or use of a volume pedal. He is at his best during the instrumental tracks The Steppes, Slogans and Jacuzzi, this is the Hackett trademark guitar sound! On this 3-disc box disc one featuring the original Defector album, you can find two bonus tracks: the exciting Hercules Unchained (a kind of punk prog) and a pleasant live version (1979) of Sentimental Institution.

Disc 2 : This is a live recording of Hackett at the Reading Festival in 1981 during the Cured tour. Although he supported this very disappointing new album Cured, Hackett presented an outstanding setlist featuring his best work from his five solo records. He was also supported by an awesome new band: Nick Magnus with an array of vintage keyboards, Chas Cronk on bass (ex-The Strawbs), drummer Ian Mosley (Marillion and Rick Van Der Linden solo) and brother John Hackett on flute, wow! Playing this excellent live CD I realize why Hackett had left Genesis, because here you can listen to a guitarist who showcases all those many ideas he couldn't put into Genesis. And all his compositions are topped with the very distinctive, varied and exciting Steve Hackett solo guitar sound!

Disc 3 : This is an audio DVD, a socalled "New Pseudo 5.1 Surround Up-Mix' from the original stereo master tapes, I still have to play it and compare it with disc 1 ....

Anyway, I am very, very delighted about this box set, in my opinion an obvious example of a five star rating on PA (I only needed 1 second to consider this)!