PLEASE DON'T TOUCH!

The challenge with solo works has often been one of proper vetting. An artist constrained by a group in which he clearly is second, third or fourth fiddle can become like the proverbial child in the candy shop, picking up this sample or that simply because they at some point had expressed an interest in it, or perhaps fancied someone who did. Even Peter Gabriel's first few outings had more girth than depth, and he was the de facto band leader. Before Steve Hackett assembled a proper backing band, he issued this wanton salmagundi.

Apart from its general lack of appeal, the album commits the unforgivable transgression of paying tribute to the late great Agatha Christie with the horrendous "Carry on up the Vicarage". This contrasted with the delectable opener "Narnia", which did justice to C.S. Lewis thanks to a light but substantive melody and vocal by Steve Walsh of Kansas. Unfortunately, the only other real highlight is "Kim", a flute and classical guitar instrumental that is truly an affair of brotherly love with John, even if a tribute to Kim Poor. Elsewhere a mix soft bluesy rock ("How Can I?" with an anonymous guest vocal by Richie Havens), genre free drivel ("Hoping Love Will Last") and interminable unfocused "epics" ("Icarus Ascending") goes essentially to the moon and back without a single rush.

Unless you are a collector of all things Genesis or Hackett, my recommendation would be to heed the apt title of the disk and move on.