HUNGARIAN HORIZONS - LIVE IN BUDAPEST

I used to watch Steve Hackett with his band in full electric band fashion and never seen the entirely acoustic performance. But this acoustic (not really actually, because there is keyboard as well) concert by three gentlemen: the guitar maestro Steve Hackett, his flautist brother John Hackett and a gentleman who used to be Mr. Hackett sound engineer and programmer who turned to be keyboardist of the Steve Hackett band: Roger Kings. Filmed in Budapest on 26 January 2001, this concert is unlike typical rock concert with head-banging kind of stuffs, rather it's a tidy crowd who seat neatly at their assigned chairs (I notice there is no single chair unoccupied at all) and they never stand-up during the show or encore session. I think, it's like the crowd who attended Pain of salvation BE live. They are so quiet and so discipline in watching the show.

Mr Hackett opens the show with his classical guitar fills for quite sometime followed with the legendary "Horizons" which usually opens the path for "Supper's Ready" in original Genesis album version. It continues with "Gnossienne # 1". What makes me attracted is the performance of "Bourée - Bacchus". In its classical style, I used to listen to Bouree through Jethro Tull version sounded beautifully using flute. This time, Hackett plays Bouree with his acoustic guitar. The guitar part of "Firth Of Fifth" is also performed borrowing its arrangement from The Genesis Revisited version. The other tracks that have been of interest to me are: "Jacuzzi" and "Overnight Sleeper". The combined work of Steve acoustic guitar with John's flute is really excellent. My true musical orgasm arrives when the three gentlemen play Genesis' melodic instrumental from The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway album: "Hairless Heart". What a melodic composition. The soft keyboard work that has so far characterized the music is now changed significantly through the use of acoustic guitar. It's so stunning. I usually repeat this track many times before I continue watching the DVD. The other attraction point is when the three gentlemen play "Ace of Wands" - my all time favorite track that is performed fully acoustic here.

It's an excellent live acoustic set. All musicians play wonderfully. Steve hackett demonstrates his acoustic guitar skills, John Hackett plays his flute masterfully while Roger Kings play his keyboard softly. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW