Cheap Steve Hackett - Hungarian Horizons (Live in Budapest) (DVD) (Steve Hackett) Price

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Customer Reviews of Steve Hackett - Hungarian Horizons (Live in Budapest)

In One Word: Great!!
Recorded in early 2002, Steve Hackett is joined onstage by his brother John Hackett on flute as well as Roger King on keyboards. The concert is not just about Steve Hackett expressing himself on acoustic guitar, but space is given to all instruments and the result is sublime. Musically, the concert incorporates everything that has been a major part of Hackett's career, including both Genesis and GTR, as well as a number of classical influences from Giuliani to Vivaldi and of course Satie, in whose honour both Hackett brothers released an album.

Something else that I feel should also be mentioned is the warmth of this concert which "finally" includes the onstage dialogue between various numbers allowing the development of a rapport between Steve Hackett and the listener. This is something which I felt was sorely lacking on all other live albums from Steve Hackett and omitting this feature from the acoustic concerts would have resulted in a very cold run through the numbers.

Describing each an every track would be madness, especially when a number of them involve no more than snippets of the original track. One could dissect the live album into the various styles that one can come across on the album. Of course one should start with the classical pieces which dominate the whole of this live recording, and one should also mention that the pieces normally associated with a "rock" presentation are given a classical makeover.

Hackett has professed an interest in Eric Satie, so much so that he released an album with his brother John dedicated to the works of this composer. The Gymnopedie #1 and Gnossienne #1 are played out flawlessly together with the three humoresque "encores" Idyll, Aubade and Meditation. The set is augmented by pieces by Bach (Bourée), Debussy (Syrinx), Vivaldi (Concerto In D), Giuliani (Andante In C) and Carcassi (Etude In A min.), all of which show Hackett's prowess on the guitar and many a times also serving as a showcase for his brothers' flute playing.

The Genesis days are also revisited with snippets from Firth of Fifth, Blood On The Rooftops, Hairless Heart as well as Horizons, played out as it was always intended to be played and heard! Even GTR is given a mention with Imagining. However, the highlights on the album are most definitely Hackett's solo compositions. Some pieces already had a strong classical mood such as Cavalcanti, Kim and By Paved Fountain to mention a few but my favourites have to be Ace Of Wands which sees the whole of the band blending in perfectly whilst pieces such as Concert for Munich and Walking Away from Rainbows sound so delicate and touching.

The music has all been played before and is definitely owned in one form or another by anyone who can boast to be a progressive rock lover. On the other hand, the music has never been presented in this format before and the listener will be taken aback at how works can be overhauled and yet still sound fresh and interesting.

So what about the DVD? Everything about it is fantastic from the various camera angles to the lighting to the intriguing short documentary which gives an insight to the hectic life of a musician. We tend to think that it is all about partying and then playing the gig. In fact it is a demanding lifestyle especially for dedicated musicians such as Steve Hackett and his crew. The concert itself is an excellent work incorporating most of the styles that have made this guitarist one of rock's real legends. A must for your collection!

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A Stunning Display of Virtuosity and Versatility
I completely agree with the other reviewers that this DVD is a grand sensory experience becoming one of my favorite DVD concerts. The disc features some wonderful acoustic accompaniment from Steve's brother John on Flute and his faithful synthesizer companion on keyboard, Jonathan King. John Hackett compliments Steve's lyrical guitar style perfectly luring the listener into the musical passages with his almost surreal sounding flute. Jonathan King as always brings a measured blend of powerful sounds without overpowering Steve whether it is within the acoustic or electric domain.

In this DVD, Hackett sticks to the nylon strings for the duration of the concert mixing an abundance of styles from classical, Asian, to some old Genesis for which he still extends respect. In fact, what is uniquely frustrating is the notable absence in recent years of all the other Genesis members who haven't lifted a finger. Phil Collins, with the exception of some jazz stints, has gone commercial and frankly has become lazy in his song writing. This is not to say that something tagged as commercial is inherently bad. It is that Collins level of skill is far beyond what he is currently producing. As for Tony Banks, a songwriting genius who influenced thousands of keyboardists, is virtually dead. Michael Rutherford, following the death of one of the Mechanics, appears incognito. It seems Steve Hackett is the only one left truly improving on himself with fervor and passion. He has the torch!

I was telling a fellow musician friend that the last year was a great year for concerts. After seeing Steve Hackett, Yes, and Rush perform at 50+ years old, we witnessed a rejuvenation of the progressive player. We saw performers in their prime playing more relaxed yet tighter than we have ever seen them.

Steve Hackett is a rare pleasure and unfortunately not appreciated in the masses. We are very blessed to have an antique treasure that gets better with age.

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For all who love acoustic guitar
It is impossible to be objective in naming the "world's greatest" at anything and when it comes to music there are many fine guitarists but I can't think of anyone besides Steve Hackett who is as comfortable and often so brilliant on both electric and acoustic guitar. He is also blessed with inexhaustable melodic invention. This is not a concert of pleasant, background music; the songs are richly inventive with arresting arrangements. Steve is joined by his brother John on flute and keyboardist Roger King, who also plays on Steve's other video, the excellent, rocking "Somewhere in South America." The music here shimmers, and the sound is warm and lively. Video quality is sharp and colorful. Even the stage design and lights are beautifully done.