TotW 01/08/2024 - 01/14/2024: STEVE HACKETT - In Memoriam

That goes on a bit. 7.

Edit: really, like that could have been a couple of minutes long and been more effective, leaving you wanting more.

I quite like the track, the whole album is interesting. It has this mystic and dark atmosphere. In Memoriam is a great track for a cold, dark winter evening ....

It's one of his very best albums, quite out of character in it's sound and style, and this track is one of the highlights. 15!

(Worth noting, Mae McKenna, sister/cousin of members of SAHB, was his support act in 1988, and her 2 albums from that era, Nightfallers and Mirage & Reality (the latter featuring Steve) are very good. She was a backing singer for many SAW acts, and did a lot of the heavy lifting in chorus's for some of their acts).

Quote from foxfeeder

It's one of his very best albums, quite out of character in it's sound and style, and this track is one of the highlights. 15!

(Worth noting, Mae McKenna, sister/cousin of members of SAHB, was his support act in 1988, and her 2 albums from that era, Nightfallers and Mirage & Reality (the latter featuring Steve) are very good. She was a backing singer for many SAW acts, and did a lot of the heavy lifting in chorus's for some of their acts).

Blimey there’s a memory. She supported SH on his 1988 acoustic tour and was great. Saw them at the Cliffs Pavilion, Southend on that tour and met Steve afterwards. Mae had a fabulous voice. I was also of an age when her attire was quite persuasive too. Anyway…

To this song, it’s not my cup of tea I’m afraid.

Quote from Micklemus

To this song, it’s not my cup of tea I’m afraid.

I know what you mean, but over time it became "my cup of tea". I did not like this one first, but that changed when I re-discovered this album a few years ago (it probably also depends on the mood you're in).

Worth 12 pts for me!

An appropriate conclusion to DARKTOWN, to be sure, although I don't rank it highly among the album's tracks. I've never been a fan of Steve's pitch-lowered narrations, but this isn't one of his worst uses of it. The track could have been a couple of minutes shorter without losing anything.

Quote from foxfeeder

It's one of his very best albums, quite out of character in it's sound and style, and this track is one of the highlights. 15!

(Worth noting, Mae McKenna, sister/cousin of members of SAHB, was his support act in 1988, and her 2 albums from that era, Nightfallers and Mirage & Reality (the latter featuring Steve) are very good. She was a backing singer for many SAW acts, and did a lot of the heavy lifting in chorus's for some of their acts).

Help me out here, please.

SAHB? SAW?

I'm guessing SAHB might be Sensational Alex Harvey Band. No clue on SAW.

Quote from Henry Hamilton-Smythe

Help me out here, please.

SAHB? SAW?

I'm guessing SAHB might be Sensational Alex Harvey Band. No clue on SAW.

Sahb - Correct.

SAW - Stock, Aitken and Waterman - a British thing, so maybe outside your ballpark (Lucky you!)

Just played this on "the system!" - might be a 16! The ending guitar sound, which he first used on "Wonderpatch" (Live in Nottingham 1990) is absolutely superb, a Roland GR500 I think. Haven't played this album in a while, but am doing so now, and am reminded why it was almost permanently on in my car from 1999-2002!

10 from me, really like this and the album. A good musical palette in use and plays to his strengths. The guitar sound is unusual but suits the music, I’m hoping for more of that on his next album. A reminder of what he can do.

One of his finest pieces in his later career 14/15

That's a 15 from me! Stunning track, it seems rather simple, but unfolds an amazing atmosphere

Quote from Christian

STEVE HACKETT - In Memoriam Year: 1999 Album: Highly Strung / Genesis Revisited II Working title: unknown Credits: Hackett Lyrics: Yes Length: 8:00 Musicians: Steve Hackett, Roger King, Ian McDonald, Mae McKenna, John Hackett, Aron Friedman Played Live: 2001, 2002 Cover versions:

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This doesn't look right to me - the Album name obviously isn't correct, same for the Musicians line up. My CD booklet tells me: Hackett and King, with bass samples courtesy of John Wetton.

It's an outstanding track though, definitely a 15 in my book.

Quote from thewatcher

That goes on a bit. 7.

Edit: really, like that could have been a couple of minutes long and been more effective, leaving you wanting more.

Yes, before halfway through I was wishing it was over. It could also do without the tedious faux-portentous spoken word stuff. So many of his lyrics are "this is all very significant" but in a really naff teenage poetry sort of way.

Quote from Backdrifter

t could also do without the tedious faux-portentous spoken word stuff. So many of his lyrics are "this is all very significant" but in a really naff teenage poetry sort of way.

I never thought of it that way, but I totally agree.

A very good track (13/15) - especially for a Cohen fan like me ... the mood, the spoken word ...

Quote from foxfeeder

Just played this on "the system!" - might be a 16! The ending guitar sound, which he first used on "Wonderpatch" (Live in Nottingham 1990) is absolutely superb, a Roland GR500 I think. Haven't played this album in a while, but am doing so now, and am reminded why it was almost permanently on in my car from 1999-2002!

Just looked this up on Youtube, live version: Steve Hackett - In Memoriam Live (youtube.com) - And it is the same guitar used on Wonderpatch. I assume it's the GR500, no visible writing on it, but it seems to use a parallel port connector rather than a quarter inch jack plug, and the GR500 doesn't use a jack plug.