I’ve been a major proghead since I discovered the genre as a teenager in the 1980s. I was in grad school when the “third wave” of prog bands emerged: The Flower Kings, Glass Hammer, Spock’s Beard, White Willow, Anglagard, etc.
As an audiophile, my main frustration with the scene at this point is that only a limited amount of prog is available in hi res. I was irritated when InsideOut Music released The Flower Kings Islands album in hi res in Europe but only in CD quality in the US. How does that make sense? Fortunately, the latest Flower Kings album By Royal Decree is available in 24/96 everywhere.
I had tickets for KC in Dayton but had a kidney biopsy that day that bled out so they kept me overnight at Miami Valley. I didn’t get to go and I’m STILL pissed. Freaking platelets…
I’ve never been a great fan of female vocals in prog or hard rock.
“But what about a dude with a 12 string who can hit registers higher than most gals?”
Perfect! Bring it!
And big thumbs up for your concert etiquette. The last 10 concerts I’ve attended - I’ve shelled out for front row. I don’t go that often, so if it costs double $$ - that is worth literally the price of admission for front row experience. AND for not getting ejected for grabbing and tossing the &%$#@ phone that is held up in front of me.
A couple years back - front row at Toto; looked back and there was a guy a few rows back holding up a frikkin iPAD!!!
Was it awesome? Indeed it was very awesome. Opening set of probably five of his solo works, a mix of new and old. 20 minute break. Seconds Out follows in original order. Highlights? They did the piano intro to “Firth of Fifth”. Also, they capped “Cinema Show” with “Aisle of Plenty”. “The Carpet Crawlers” was complete vs. the shortened version on Seconds Out. Encore was “Dance on a Volcano” and “Los Endos” with probably the most punishing drum solo I’ve ever experienced (you can find his solo on YouTube from earlier shows; look for “Steve Hackett Drum Solo”). The drummer had some serious chops.
Notes:
Steve was playing his music his way; he wasn’t trying to reproduce the Genesis experience note-for-note like you get when you see The Musical Box.
His band was made of stellar musicians, to include a multi-instrumentalist that included a saxophone player. All the horns were respectful of the original sound and didn’t try to get that screechy-horn sound that says “I’m playing sax, bishes!”
His skills have not diminished in the slightest. He played multiple tapping bits that were every bit as incendiary as anything EVH did. The man is 72 years old and can play like a 20-year-old wunderkind.
His singing voice is REALLY good when he does sing. This isn’t the Steve Hackett on vocals from 1977.
Taurus. Bass. Pedals. There are no substitute. They will clear out any ear blockage as well as intestinal blockage. I was contemplating getting a new computer, and now I’m contemplating getting a set of bass pedals instead just because I want some. How they never transitioned into hip hop will remain a mystery to me.
NO ONE can (well, MAYBE Gilmore) can do sustain like Steve can. He’s holding these notes just endlessly.
He played two gold-top Les Pauls with tremolo bars. If you’ve seen pictures when he’s with Genesis, you’ve seen the guitars. The music those things have produced…
I didn’t take any photos during the show, but the guy I was with did and when I get a link, I’ll post a couple.
We had a great time. It was worth every penny which is all you can ask of a concert.
And, yes. If I’m going to go through the trouble of attending an event, I’m going to pay the extra for good seats. And if you’re coming with me, I’ll pay your premium because we are having a thing here, and we’re gonna remember it.
It was extremely rewarding when the three guys I went with last night had to basically pick up their jaws off the ground when we got to our seats.
Still touring! I’ve read rave reviews - many mentioning a blazing drum solo by Guy. I read that Extreme is touring again this year. Now that would be a smashtastic double header!
Album recommendation…“A Romantic’s Guide to King Crimson” by the Mastelottos. Saw him with The Stick Men and he mentioned that he and his wife had recorded it. It’s REALLY good.
Was it awesome?
