Posts by Fabrizio

  • STEVE HACKETT - European Tour 2019

    Quote from Backdrifter

    I was surprised and amused in equal measure when Gabriel said he wanted to do Supper's Ready on his 07 tour (he apparently faced open rebellion by his band and quickly dropped the idea).

    I am a huge PG fan but quite frankly, I stopped listening to him when he talks about possible Genesis reunions or solo albums for that matter, loooooong ago.

    He, of course is at a point in his career, when he is more than entitled to do as he pleases. He had his say, received critical praises and enjoyed commercial success. The whole package. He was highly contradictory and frankly a bit haughty when he tried to explain why he wasn't interested in a Reunion. as he was more interested in looking forward than back. It would have made sense, if he hadn't then released an album with 10-years old songs in some cases already released on other albums i.e. Sky Blue and I Grieve and then a couple of orchestral, cover albums. Way to look forward Pete! Just do you thing, you don't owe any explanation, particularly when it's a ridiculous one.

    As for Steve, playing Genesis, perhaps it's the cynic in me but I have the feeling the considerations behind it are purely financial ones.

  • STEVE HACKETT - European Tour 2019

    Quote from Christian

    First this is, of course, the fact that Steve has realized this brings more fans to the shows.

    Second: He simply loves to play that stuff and wave the flag - and no-one else from his former band mates does it that way.

    Well, no one else from his former band does it, period. Apart perhaps from Ray but that to me is another story.

  • STEVE HACKETT - European Tour 2019

    Quote from Backdrifter

    Interesting all the dates are post-brexit as it's currently scheduled. I've heard some musicians who regularly tour EU countries say there's no clarity about how work permits are going to operate, and that Fripp has suspended Crimson tours until after it's all been confirmed.

    Don't you just hate it when politics gets in the way of art? :)

    As for Steve, I suspect he would prefer to play his material too. Evidently there are other factors to be taken into consideration.

  • TotW 09/15/2018 - 09/21/2018: STEVE HACKETT - A Place Called Freedom

    Personally, I believe the heavier the subject the difficult it is to write about it. Songs, being by definition a lighter artform, are perhaps not the most proper vehicle to tackle tragedies for instance but nothing speaks against it and it really comes down to the lyricist, keeping in mind that feeling strong about something is not the only prerequisite imo.

    If you venture in that territory you better be good and have a certain depth, in addition to the desire to talk about it. Social aware lyrics in the late 80s and early 90s were often glib and hypocritical but they were fashionable. it looked like successful artists, after having amassed enormous wealth in the mid-80s, felt compelled to write about those topics and generally garnered praises for doing so, irrespective of the quality of those lyrics.

  • TotW 09/15/2018 - 09/21/2018: STEVE HACKETT - A Place Called Freedom

    Quote from Backdrifter

    No subject is a guarantee of a good song.

    I sort of agree with the second point, the gist of it; something in a language I don't understand can be intensely moving. I listen to a fair bit of Scottish music with Gaelic lyrics and have been moved to tears because of the feel of it.


    The voice is like an instrument for me, it can become part of the music while the actual lyrics don't really matter.

    Actually, now that you mention it, there's this Clannad song: Coinleach Glas An Fromhair which always manages to move me. I have no idea what it is about, there must be some translation on line I can look up but I could never be bothered. Fact is that Marie's voice is so damn beautiful and the melody so evocative that it stirs something in me which brings me to the second point.

    I do pay attention to the lyrics but it doesn't mean they always have to be meaningful and deep. The lyrics to FYFM are imo just perfect. Turn it on again lyrics are good, Same with Keep it Dark. They flow with the music, fit the atmosphere of the song and complement it. Bad lyrics however can ruin a song for me, I could mention Misunderstanding but the music already does the trick, the lyrics are just fittingly inane. Since I've lost you is one I find offensive. The way of the world incredibly glib, as well as Tell me why. Anyway, it is probably the reason why I don't look up the translation of that Clannad song. It could disappoint me and I really like it as it is.

    Quote from Backdrifter



  • TotW 09/15/2018 - 09/21/2018: STEVE HACKETT - A Place Called Freedom

    Quote from CountingOutTime

    I'd even go so far as to say that if Steve's lyrics were sung in another language - German or Italian - I'd be just fine with that. As long as the vocalist can sing, it doesn't matter to me if it's in a foreign language; even if I don't know what they're singing about. Much of my collection is by foreign bands; some singing in English, some in their native tongue. It's all about the music to me, but if the lyrics are sung well, all the better.

    Interesting too. I seem to need to have a general idea of what is it they are singing, after all, I think, what's the point of singing about something?

    That said, I agree that a particular beautiful melody and a great voice can captivate you to the point you can transcend the lyrics.

    Steve's music though, is imo more about texture, atmosphere and mood, he is quite the average if not mediocre vocalist and not known for stellar melodies, so it doesn't really apply to him, as far as I'm concerned.

  • TotW 09/15/2018 - 09/21/2018: STEVE HACKETT - A Place Called Freedom

    Quote from Backdrifter

    I regard vocals in the same sort of way as I do lyrics. I never expect them to be outstanding, so it's a bonus if a really good one comes along.}

    Overall I'd actually rather a solo artist had a crack at singing their own stuff even if their voice isn't one of the best - partly because very few voices are one of the best, and partly as it helps to stamp more of their identity on the material.

    It's always fascinating for me to see how differently people approach music listening, it's always a very unique experience and it's rare to find two people enjoying it in the same way. As it should be. Personally, I am more than able to appreciate instrumental music but I confess being quite demanding when there's a singer. Chops aside, i like voices with some character to them, a distinctive sound and that's why I find Annie phenomenal but as I said to each his own. I listen to vocals as an integral part of the sound of the song and intrinsically related to songwriting.

    As for artists wanting to sing their own songs, I think you have a point. There is an identity and personal factor which again makes us realize how important vocals are in the song's economy. I'm OK with say, Tony and Mike having a go at it and getting it off their chest. I'm even more OK with the fact they realized it is not their forte. Tony's material in particular is extremely taxing on singers, a certain range is required and the only valid alternative, if you don't have a good singer which Tony is not, is to hold back the song. I think the songwriting consciously or less, suffers.

  • TotW 09/15/2018 - 09/21/2018: STEVE HACKETT - A Place Called Freedom

    Quote from DecomposingMan

    I don't have a problem with Steve's vocals for the most part.


    As for Jim Diamond... frankly, I'd rather listen to Steve sing.

    Which again speaks for the favorable bias we have towards artists we like. It's not about picking on Steve in particular, I could say I love Phil's drumming, his singing, some of his songs, his skills as an arranger and producer but if I say I, for the most part, cannot stomach his lyrics, some fans will resent that. Apparently you have to be fine with the whole package to be a fan.

    I 'm not a fan of Diamond's singing AND voice either but the broader point is, any singer delivering Steve's song, will be rightly scrutinized. How he performs, how his voice fits the song, what he brings to the song and so on…..Steve, as a singer, gets more than a pass. I understand it is his material and as such, said pass is partly justified, what I suggest though is, often he is not doing his songs any favor singing them himself.

  • TotW 09/15/2018 - 09/21/2018: STEVE HACKETT - A Place Called Freedom

    Quote from FeelItComing

    Steve at least doesn't sing Genesis songs live & I still think his voice is perfectly adequate for his own material, but this does come down to personal choice

    I don't know whether to agree with that or less and I mean it. On the one end, he does write the material and it is only natural it should fit his vocal ability, although, let's be honest, I have still to come across a musician who is OK with his skills being defined as ''adequate''. On the other I am suggesting that perhaps more could be done with his music with a singer who is a bit better than adequate, that's why I mentioned Loch Lomond earlier. There is of course a level of indulgence when a someone sings his own material and we happen to like the artist but I think we would be all a whole more harsher if he had just an ''adequate'' singer.

  • TotW 09/15/2018 - 09/21/2018: STEVE HACKETT - A Place Called Freedom

    Quote from Noni

    I 100 % agree that the music is the most important.


    It saddens me that top professional singers cannot sing the American National Athem. This leaves me confused X/

    But aren't the vocals an integral part of the music when the song is not instrumental? Actually, it is the one thing most of the general audience pay attention to. Not everybody is a musician after all. That's why singers get the most attention and why producers will tell you the voice is where the money is.

  • TotW 09/15/2018 - 09/21/2018: STEVE HACKETT - A Place Called Freedom

    Quote from foxfeeder

    I've never really had an issue with Steve's vocals, apart from bits of Cured. Certainly, there are much better singers, and Steve himself would agree, I'm sure (He has alluded to it himself at gigs) but vocalists cost money, and there have been times that the cash was a touch short.


    Ultimately, it doesn't really matter, since his voice is not no. 1 attraction to his music, and it's not his prime reason for making the albums. Also, he has achieved some nice touches on occasions. To a Close is one example, using multi=tracking and studio effects, he gets a really nice, effective sound that fits the song well.


    If you really want to criticize vocals, I've just heard the worst culprit on the radio: Shania Twain. She's a singer! That's her main appeal, yet she has a dreadful voice, uses Autotune to extremes, and can't even decide what genre she wants to be.

    I don't think we need to stoop to Shania Twain level to criticize Steve's vocals, plus she had all the assets she needed to sell her genre of music.

    True, vocalists cost money but they also make you some and can help you write better songs, put you on the map and propel your career.

    Ask Mike Rutherford and Paul Carrack. Phil has often said the drummer is the goalkeeper and I think he had a point, the singer, keeping up with the footie analogy, is the striker, he scores the goals.

    If you are in the rock-pop business, release songs and want an audience for them, the singer is crucial and a good one is vital.

    As for his voice not being the no. 1 attraction to his music and not his prime reason for making the albums, it might be true but here's a thought:

    I reckon the no. 1 attraction to his music, and his prime reason for making albums is his guitar playing and THAT is truly more than a valid asset.

    However, without a voice making a real difference and without some brilliant songwriting, my opinion of course, if everything revolves around his playing, as marvelous as I may find that, isn't it a bit too ''thin'' for a solo career?

  • TotW 09/15/2018 - 09/21/2018: STEVE HACKETT - A Place Called Freedom

    Quote from FeelItComing

    I am one who does like Steve's vocals.

    I really don't and nor for lack of trying. A bit harsh perhaps but I while I appreciate he wants to have control over his music and singing is key in that aspect, I think anybody can sing like that plus, I hardly find a memorable vocal line of his. If it was somebody else singing those songs, the way Steve does, I am quite sure many would think, why doesn't Steve pick another singer?

    I was listening to Loch Lomond the other day, in the car. Beautiful three-part intro. It begins with a quite dark, epic and atmospheric guitar-keyboards interplay, it becomes sort of hard rock, drums kick in, a nice power chords riff and then it flows into folksy-pastoral. It lasts a couple of minutes but it could have gone of for 10, as far as I am concerned. A truly beautiful build-up, till he begins to sing and it is really anticlimactic. The voice lacks expression, the tone is anonymous and the harmonies only help relatively, really-low key and the vocal line of the verse really undoes what he had done with the intro.

    Whatever expectation you might have had is gone, vanished.

    The verse for once is not that bad but as usual it puts a brake on the song and once again I find myself thinking it is a squandered opportunity and he should have gotten a real singer to work on it.

  • TotW 09/15/2018 - 09/21/2018: STEVE HACKETT - A Place Called Freedom

    Quote from Witchwood

    I don't know if you had someone specific in mind or if the chorus just happens to be a frequent target of criticism - but I can say your expectations have been fulfilled: I like the song but the chorus takes some of the wind out of its sails for me.

    I once made the point, in discussing Steve's songwriting skills, that he has what I called a ''chorus'' problem'', meaning his songs often lack the punch required which is generally speaking delivered by the chorus. Even with his best Genesis songs: Entangled and BOTR, the choruses were written by Tony and Phil.

    The problem, apart from a few notable exceptions, becomes even more apparent with his solo songs.

    Ian obviously disagrees but a couple of forum members shared my opinion apparently.

    As for the song in question, as it is a bit too early to hijack the thread, I agree with you, the momentum of it is lost with the chorus but another thing not really working with me, as often with Steve, is his singing. The voice is not exactly full of expression and character and the vocal lines are nothing to write home about but who knows? This one, with a real singer and a chorus written by somebody else could have been really, really good.