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Steve Hackett - Please Don't Touch! CD (album) cover

PLEASE DON'T TOUCH!

Steve Hackett

 

Eclectic Prog

3.61 | 661 ratings

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Gatot
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
4 stars Excellent Classic Prog Rock!

This was the follow-up album from the success of Hackett's debut "Voyage", and by this time the guitarist has formally left Genesis in 1977. It took 3 years elapse time from the debut - it's probably due to his commitment with Genesis. At the end he decided to have a career as solo musician. There is still some Genesis nuance in this album but Steve had pushed it forward the music into different venture. He no longer need helps from Genesis friends as he did with debut. What's the point, leaving the band but still expecting some helps from old band mates? It might interfere the making of his own music. Instead, he grabbed two top notch musicians from legendary Kansas: Steve Walsh (vocals) and Phil Ehart (drums) on some songs. It's an excellent move as their contribution has enriched the texture of Hackett's music.

The album opener is a kind of marriage between Kansas and Genesis but if in Kansas you will obviously hear violin, in "Narnia" the violin is replaced by acoustic guitar fills. It's a nice song that has now become a legendary tune from Hackett. It continues with a funny song "Carry On Up the Vicarage" with children play background and choral section combined with soaring keyboard sound and Taurus pedal. It's another favorite of mine. The third track is a song that later would become the style of Hackett's music, it's called "Racing In A" where Walsh and Hackett contribute in vocals department. "Kim" is an acoustic exploration with guitar and flute; it's dedicated to Steve Hackett's wife.

"How Can I?" starts with an acoustic guitar followed with vocal by Havens. "Hoping Love Will Last" is a very nice song with Randy Crawford on vocal. It's composed in the vein of Genesis' "Blood on A Rooftop" with bluesy touch and great piano sounds. It has become a classic tune and considered as legendary. Introduced through a short piece "Land of a Thousand Autumns" the music continues with another great classic "Please Don't Touch" which also represents the style of Hackett's music. It's a high-light song of this album. It continues seamlessly to "The Voice of Necam" through a smooth keyboard sound that serves as a bridge. The concluding track is an excellent song performed mellow: "Icarus Ascending" where Havens and Hackett contribute the vocals.

It's a regret if you miss this legendary album. Highly recommended. Keep on proggin' .!

Progressively yours, GW

"There are many ways of seeking my fortune. I don't really have to lose my mind. On the highway, (my) thoughts always racing." - "Racing In A" by Steve Hackett.

Gatot | 4/5 |

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