Posted: Mon 23 November 2009 09:57 by Martin Haggarty

Steve's new album

Delayed by legal issues, Out of the Tunnel’s Mouth hit my doorstep just days before Hackett’s Glasgow show, just in time to get cosy with the new songs. Hackett’s output over the last few albums has been consistently high and the trend continues. Steve told me he ranks it up there with Spectral Mornings or Selling England, and he’s not far off the mark.

Like some of his earlier work there's a Victorian, almost Gothic atmosphere in places. Fire On the Moon opens gently with the sound of a child’s musical box, before unleashing a wall of sound. Like dipping your toes in warm, calm ocean, then suddenly being engulfed by a tsunami. But in a nice way!

Nomads showcases his classical and flamenco guitar skills. Emerald and Ash has a Bronte-esque feel, by turns wistful then menacing, while Sleepers lulls you into a false sense of security as it explores dreamscapes that turn to nightmares.

Still Waters revisits Steve’s love of Blues, while instrumentals Tubehead and Ghost In The Glass are jazz rock tinged beauties with all the precision of a Swiss watch.

Album closer Last Train to Istanbul really does feel like a journey to the place where Europe and Asia collide.

No-one else carries off this blend of diverse styles on one album. If you don’t press 'play' again as soon as it finishes, you simply have no soul...

And the gig? The omens weren’t good! Biblical floods, high winds and a floating venue that threatened to break away down a swollen River Clyde. Would the gods conspire against a good turnout for the man who is arguably a bigger loss to Genesis than Gabriel? Course not: it may be something of a cliché that Glasgow has the best audiences... but that doesn’t mean it ain’t true! I have never seen a bigger, more enthusiastic crowd at this unique venue.

From the opening bombast of Mechanical Bride, Hackett and Co weaved light and shade into two hour-and-a-bit sets, encapsulating solo classics (Spectral Mornings, Steppes, Ace of Wands, Every Day) and Genesis Classics (Firth of Fifth, Blood on the Rooftops, Los Endos). The more recent material, a splendid Serpentine Song and all but two songs from the new album, blended seamlessly with the older work. We also got the essential acoustic set which included Walking Away From Rainbows and the ecstatically received Horizons.

Vocal harmonies, highlighting Amanda Lehmann (also on guitar) were crystal clear and the musicianship outstanding. Roger King on keyboards is a veritable one-man orchestra, while Gary O’Toole is that most revered of species, a great drummer who can sing at the same time. The amazing Nick Beggs on bass & stick belies his Kajagoogo past, while sax-maniac Rob Townsend provides a wonderful contrast to the electric instruments.

But the man himself, charismatic as ever, was simply stunning. There are many great performers, but none who play so well in so many styles and yet sound unique. He is the complete guitarist!

It was fun, but over all too soon, with encore Clocks reminding us it was time to brave the elements again. But with such a warm reception, we’ll hopefully see Steve back soon – And I bet Glasgow will be one of the first places pencilled in for a visit.

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