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Checking Out of London
Hacktrax HTRX 002. Released
2005
Click
for mp3 sample
1.
Late
Trains
2. Hallway
And The Pram
3. Ego
And Id
4. DNA
5. Fantasy
6. Dreamtown
7. Headlights
8. Winter
9. Whispers
10. More
11. Dust
12. Checking Out Of London
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(5/5) ***** Beautiful
new album from Steve’s slightly lesser-known brother.
Many people think John Hackett only accompanies his brother Steve
on the latter’s solo albums.
Record Collector - April 2005, Issue 309 -
more...
Album of the
Issue
Now for something completely different from John Hackett. We are
more used to John’s recordings with flute in classical mode
but here is John Hackett the progressive rocker and this is one
that will please many. I cannot remember hearing John sing lead
vocals before but beware those in the male vocal category next year
for John has more than just a fine voice.
The Journal of the Classic Rock Society Issue 146Jan/Feb 2005
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more...
John Hackett
shows a remarkable taste, too: the songs’ melodic figures are
always perfect, as well as the chords successions are never for
granted. We hope John Hackett will carry on the rock path and won't
step back. As far as we are concerned, classical music can wait!
The Jam Magazine, Italy -
more...
"All in
all, an solid first rock effort. I certainly hope it is not the
last. Who knew John had it in him, and why did it take so long for
us to find out?"
World of Genesis Online - more...
"This is
a pleasant album from John, both musically and lyric wise, and a
very early contender for album of the year!"
The Hairless Heart Herald - more...
"This is
a damn fine effort and one which will bring a great deal of pleasure
to existing fans and new ones too and let's hope it isn't the last
rock opus from John - on this showing I don't think it will be -
superb stuff all round!"
The Waiting Room Online - more...
"It is a
highly remarkable debut rock album by a highly versatile musician.
Plus – the artist himself did lots of the work on this album
himself. How many artists can claim that today? This album is definitely
worth buying. A multitalent like John Hackett will certainly delight
us with more gems like this one in the future."
Genesis Fanclub.de - more..
"...overall
I have to say that this is a very strong piece of work, full of
lovely instrumental moments, good solid songwriting (mainly the
result of collaborations between John and Nick Clabburn) and neat
production. Although this may be John's first solo rock album, let's
hope it isn't his last. Best tracks: “Late Trains”, “The
Hallway and the Pram”, “Fantasy”, “Winter”,
“Whispers”.
A Progressive
Ears member - more..
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"A magnificent achievement" - Waiting
Room Online
"It works well!" - Martin Hudson CRS
"Exotically compelling" - Dave Kennedy CRS
"A rather marvellous album..a bit of a treat really"
- Paul Baker ARFM
7 / 10 - Movimentoprog (Italy) link
Out Now! Click
here to buy CD
Click
here to download mp3s from iTunes
Recently #3 IN UK 'New Age' album
chart on iTunes!
The
John Hackett Band Live
The Boardwalk, Sheffield, 20th May 2006
Please
click here
for enlargement. Thanks to Classic Rock Society.
Charterhouse School, May 1st 2006
Review by Doug
Melbourne
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This
was essentially a private gig for Charterhouse masters and
students and a selected music and media crowd, but should
give you a taste for what you can expect from the gigs coming
up this May. The line-up was: John Hackett (vocals, flute
guitar), Nick Magnus (keyboards), Tony Patterson (vocals,
flute, keyboards), Andy Hyam (bass), Andy Gray (guitar),
Neil Marshall (drums, vocals) and a Special Guest!
The
band opened with a Steve Hackett classic, 'Ace of Wands'
and from the word go we were treated to many displays of
John's virtuoso flute playing. Nick Magnus was clearly enjoying
this initial trip down memory lane! The set continued with
a series of songs from John's much acclaimed new album 'Checking
out of London', featuring John and Tony on lead vocals -
'Late Trains', 'Fantasy', 'Another Life' (a new song), and
'DNA'. All of the songs benefited from the live arrangements
which brought out the fire, energy and increased dynamics
delivered by the band.
A couple of Nick Magnus' songs from his album 'Hexamaron'
were then performed; 'Brother Sun' and 'Double Helix', followed
by 'Dreamtown' and a Tony Patterson song, 'Let it Rain Down'.
The band were very relaxed by this point, enjoying themselves
on stage and delivering consistently great performances.
'Winter' from 'Checking Out of London' followed, and then
a stunning performance of 'Jacuzzi' with John and Tony on
duetting flutes. An intimate performance of 'Priestess'
followed with most of the band offstage - really beautiful
and you could have heard a pin drop in the hall.
And
then a magic moment - Steve Hackett joined the band onstage
and they got stuck into a high octane version of 'Tower
Struck Down', Steve contributing a knockout solo at the
end, trading licks with Andy Gray. Thus ended the main set.
After some introductions, the encore was 'More' with more
guitar mayhem from Steve who was really enjoying himself.
I've been lucky enough to have some involvement with this
band from an administrative point of view, and it's been
an absolute pleasure to see it evolve from the ideas stage
through to last nights fantastic performance.
You've got 2 chances to see this line-up before the convention
in a more intimate setting - The Boardwalk in Sheffield
(sponsored by the Classic Rock Society) and the London Borderline
club. I can't recommend them strongly enough, come on down!
Check out www.johnhackett.com for booking.
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Velvet
Afternoon
Hacktrax HTRX 001 Released
2004
Click for mp3 sample
1.
Pastures Green
2. Vergebung
3.
Freefall
4. Minuet I
5. Presto
6. Minuet II
7. The Chaplet
8. Allegro Molto Moderato
9. Sausage Boy
10. Oily Rag
11. Sophie's Lullaby
12. Tamborino
13. Minuet Reprise
14. Next Time Around
15.
Velvet Afternoon
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"Iif you
like the flute then this is a great example of styles and sounds
it can produce. If you appreciate players who brought the flute
to the rock world such as Ian Anderson, Ian McDonald, Thijs Van
Leer, David Jackson and Peter Gabriel, this album is in your range."
The Hairless Heart Herald - more...
"A wonderful
showcase of the man's talent, both as a showcase and a performer."
Alan Hewitt TWRO
"Well played
and realistically recorded. This is undemanding music for easy listening,
but several of the pieces have real staying power."
Daily Mail
Unhurried timeless
beauty...wonderful to relax to."
Classic Rock Society
"Accompanying
John on piano is the equally talented Sally Goodworth and
the combination of piano and flute is by turns mesmerising
and enchanting. An album that will delight fans of the Hackett
brothers and indeed lovers of well crafted and exquisitely
played music - bravo, maestro!"
The Waiting Room Online |
Sally Goodworth |
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Sketches
of Satie
Camino CAMCD20
Released: 2000
Also available on 12" Vinyl
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"...John
and I had long talked about a project involving Satie’s music.
Would it require an orchestra or could we use the full tonal range
of our own two favoured instruments to create a sound canvas worthy
of the keyboard-based writing? Either way it would be a return
to our musical roots when we first became aware of ‘Atmospheric’
music, brave enough to remain rhythmically static yet all the
more poignant precisely because of that ‘held-back’
quality. There always was a love of music in the family home but
not specifically the ‘Classical’ tradition - I’d
say we found our way to this music ourselves without being pushed.
For us, Satie was definitely a man ahead of his time. Unlikely
modulations abound and the Minimalists were to take from him as
would Jazz, and where would ‘Ambient’ music be without
his example? I
can’t fully describe my delight and joy that the sessions
went so well and that the album, long overdue, is now complete.
I may be sticking my neck out here but I don’t believe John
has ever sounded in finer form, he was obviously born to play
Satie - as I am sure you’ll agree!"
- Steve Hackett
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