Author: Peter Podbrežnik
Artist: Hackett, Steve
Label: Camino Records
Release: 1993
Duration: 61:29
Rating: 4/5
Legendary guitar virtuoso Steve Hackett successfully gave his solo career a fresh airing-out in the nineties, after a somewhat chaotic eighties in which he was ‘searching for himself’ stylistically with a few not-so-happy melodic rock experiments. On his tenth solo studio album »Guitar Noir« he started rolling out a much darker guitar sound, the kind that would mark most of his albums in the years to come. At the same time, he held on to all the eclectic songwriting and arranging finesse that defined his earlier work, so this record is also a wonderful example of prog-rock unpredictability, packed with pleasant guitar surprises from one of rock’s greatest guitar masters and gorgeous orchestral arrangements that he got help with from keyboardist Julian Colbeck, while longtime collaborator Nick Magnus only contributed symphonic textures to the track »Theatre Of Sleep« this time around.
By this point Mr. Hackett had figured out what kind of compositions suit his technically limited but pleasantly, ethereally warm vocals, so on »Guitar Noir« he deploys them at just the right moments. On drums he was helped this time by the well-established Hugo Degenhardt, best known as the drummer of Bootleg Beatles, the world-famous British ‘tribute to The Beatles’ band, where he plays Ringo Starr.
When it comes to stylistic variety and production, »Guitar Noir« is an exceptionally well-balanced album, and after the classic »Defector« (1980) it’s without a doubt his most polished achievement with a strong rock component. The excellent opening instrumental »Sierra Quemada« is even one of the best instrumental moments in Hackett’s entire career, conjuring up unforgettable ambient magic with a string of weeping guitar passages over a lush orchestral backdrop. On »Take These Pearls«, in the style of his former Genesis buddy Peter Gabriel, the legendary guitarist also brings in world-music elements through exotic percussion and ‘latino’ guitar finesse. His melodic vocals settle beautifully here into a pleasant acoustic guitar melody and an all-over melancholic atmosphere.
»There Are Many Sides To The Night« is an epic standard marked by a mouth-watering guitar solo that will send every lover of ethereally tinted guitar finesse straight to seventh heaven. The accompanying orchestral arrangements are a true balm for the ears and carry on Hackett’s longtime devotion to symphonic prog-rock classicism. Here you can once again feel the guitar influence of the legendary Spanish classical guitarist Andrés Segovia, whom Steve has often named among his main role models. After that pure classical treat, »In The Heart Of The City« is a much more rock-flavored number, ruled by electronic percussion, majestic vocal harmonies, rolling symphonic curtains and a mighty guitar riff, which together make for the ultimate melancholic drama.
»Dark As The Grave« tells you with its very title that a gloomier atmosphere reigns here, built from the fusion of Steve’s ethereal vocals, layered backing harmonies and plenty of classical guitar solos melted into Colbeck’s orchestral keyboard masterworks. The blues-rock-tinged experiment »Lost In Your Eyes« is propped up by spirited drum fills and an aggressive bass line, while Mr. Hackett fires off bursts of guitar and works the harmonica with real gusto. Whenever Steve ventures outside his usual symphonic prog-rock spheres he’s skating on thin ice, but even so, many of his experiments with different styles turn out surprisingly well. »Little America« is a slow-tempo melodic rock power ballad where Mr. Hackett, with the help of dreamy backing vocals and gentle piano arrangements, conjures up a strikingly beautiful chorus. »Like An Arrow« is a dark dirge with a mournful vocal approach, a melancholic acoustic guitar melody and piercing orchestral arrangements.
»Theatre Of Sleep« is another ‘sleepy’ creation with a slow rhythm, inconsolable guitar passages and a jazzy piano arrangement that brings back the ambience of the 1930s. The classical instrumental masterpiece »Walking Away From Rainbows« is among the ambient highlights of »Guitar Noir«, distinguished by gorgeous acoustic guitar finesse from the legendary virtuoso and majestic orchestral arrangements on the Mellotron. The sorrowfully tinted »Paint Your Picture« is likewise a thoroughly classical guitar number, in which Hackett’s dreamy vocals and ethereal guitar chords deliver an old-timey pastoral ambience.
The classic »Vampyre With A Healthy Appetite«, ruled by a darkly comic ambience, is undoubtedly the most complex and also the most fun creation on »Guitar Noir«. Under the baton of a mighty guitar riff, sly, sudden tempo changes and unusual vocal approaches using a vocoder hold sway. The latter completely captivated Mr. Hackett in the nineties and into the new century, so it was a frequent ‘guest’ on his later studio efforts too. The closing instrumental »Trisstese« features a piercing guitar solo and dramatic piano accompaniment, with majestic orchestral curtains flowing in the background, which together create a melancholic yet uplifting mood.
With the stylistically varied gem »Guitar Noir«, the maestro Hackett stepped into the nineties in the most convincing way possible, once again reshaping his sonic identity with a dose of distinctly darker ambient essence than in years past. He would go on to build on this approach with improved production on his future studio releases, which makes this excellent album an important milestone in his solo career.
Lineup
Steve Hackett – vocals, guitar, harmonica
Julian Colbeck – keyboards
Aron Friedman – keyboards
Nick Magnus – keyboards
Nick Sykes – additional keyboards
Dave ‘Taif’ Ball – bass guitar
Hugo Degenhardt – drums
Bimbo Acock – clarinet
Production
Steve Hackett
Tracklist
1. Sierra Quemada (5:19)
2. Take These Pearls (4:14)
3. There Are Many Sides To The Night (7:23)
4. In The Heart Of The City (4:34)
5. Dark As The Grave (4:38)
6. Lost In Your Eyes (4:56)
7. Little America (4:55)
8. Like An Arrow (2:51)
9. Theatre Of Sleep (3:03)
10. Walking Away From Rainbows (3:10)
11. Paint Your Picture (2:57)
12. Vampyre With A Healthy Appetite (5:29)
13. Tristesse (4:01)
