Defector [Original recording remastered] [Import]

Product Description
Best known as the main guitarist for Genesis from 1971 to 1977, Steve Hackett has long been regarded as one of the leading progressive rock guitarists of his generation. This remastered pressing of his 1980 album features 15 tracks including the 5 bonus tracks 'Hercules Unchained', 'Sentimental Institutions' (live), 'The Steppes; (live), 'Slogans' (live) & 'Clocks' (live). EMI. 2005.

Defector,Steve Hackett,Caroline,Pop,Prog-Rock/Art Rock,Rock,Rock/Pop

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Defector [Original recording remastered] [Import]

Average customer rating: Steve Hackett defects the critics and releases another prog masterwork The Remaster is Worth It Essential Steve Hackett Great album, but not essential remaster

Defector Steve Hackett Manufacturer: Astralwerks ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Spectral Mornings Voyage of the Acolyte Please Don't Touch! Wild Orchids Highly Strung ASIN: B000AM1THQ Release Date: 2005-10-11

Tracks:

1. The Steppes
2. Time To Get Out
3. Slogans
4. Leaving
5. Two Vamps As Guests
6. Jacuzzi
7. Hammer In The Sand
8. The Toast
9. The Show
10. Sentimental Institution
11. Hercules Unchained
12. Sentimental Institution (Live)
13. The Steppes (Live)
14. Slogans (Live)
15. Clocks - The Angel Of Mons (Live)

Album Description

Best known as the main guitarist for Genesis from 1971 to 1977, Steve Hackett has long been regarded as one of the leading progressive rock guitarists of his generation. This remastered pressing of his 1980 album features 15 tracks including the 5 bonus tracks 'Hercules Unchained', 'Sentimental Institutions' (live), 'The Steppes; (live), 'Slogans' (live) & 'Clocks' (live). EMI. 2005.

Album Details

Digitally Remastered Edition of the Former Genesis Guitarist's Fourth Solo Recording from 1980. The Original Tracks Are Augmented with Five Previously Unrelased (On CD) Bonuses: "Hercules Unchained" (The B-side of the Single "The Show"), "Sentimental Institutions (Live)", "The Steppes (Live)", "Slogans (Live)" and "Clocks-the Angel of Mons (Live)".

Customer Reviews:

Steve Hackett defects the critics and releases another prog masterwork.......2007-02-03

Another strong album from Hackett using the same band as Spectral Mornings, it has a similar sound to that album. Sentimental Institution is a great experiment using a mellotron that plays an old scratchy big band backing track, it's an eerily good way to close the album and shows Steve's sense of humor

The Remaster is Worth It.......2007-01-19

When I put this CD in the player, I was immediately struck by how well this album benefits from remastering. Unlike other albums, whose remastered editions usually don't offer much improvement, this album (and Voyage of the Acolyte [the only other in the remastered Steve Hackett series I own]) sounds richer, with a greater presentation of depth -- to my ear at least. (I admit that I'm not sure what the remastering process involves.) I agree with other reviewers that, aside from the Hercules Unchained, for which I don't particularly care anyway, the bonus material is rather weak. Having said that, I repeat my earlier assertion to say that the remastered recording itself eclipses this flaw.

Essential Steve Hackett.......2006-06-29

The four albums Steve Hackett released in the 70's (of which this is the last) represent the core of his enormous body of work. While he has released many more albums since then, these four remain essential listening for Hackett fans and fans of classic progressive rock. In fact, there are times I think this might be my favorite Hackett CD.

On Defector, Hackett's guitar truly takes the lead for the first time. His previous albums all had killer solos but for this album he moves the guitar from out of the band mix and into the spotlight. Listen to his impassioned lead on The Steppes, or his brilliant finger tapping technique on Slogans or even the expressive sound he gets from the nylon string guitar on Two Vamps As Guests. The band as usual is in excellent form, but this is Steve's baby.

As usual, on a Steve Hackett album, the instrumentals are just as important as the vocals, but this may be his most balanced album in terms of strong lyrics and great singing. Sadly, this would be the last album with Pete Hicks on lead vocals and all subsequent albums would suffer as a consequence, at least in my opinion.

My favorites are The Steppes, Jacuzzi and Slogans, but for me there is not a bad song on the album. Even his attempt at disco/dance music (The Show) is a fun tune in only the way Hackett could do something like this. And like his early albums there is a novelty tune, in this case Sentimental Institution with Pete Hicks singing somewhere between Al Jolson and Louie Armstrong.

Highly recommended album from one of the most original rock composers of his generation and light years better than anything Genesis was doing at the time. My only complaint is that the original 10 tracks did not even fill up 40 minutes and while the new bonus tracks are good to have, I wish there was more studio bonus tracks and less live tracks. But that's really just nitpicking since this album has been one of my favorites from the day I bought the original vinyl back in 1979.

Great album, but not essential remaster.......2006-05-31

So far I've only heard this and SPECTRAL MORNINGS remasters. This one isn't quite as compelling, at least as far as the bonus material. With the exception of HERCULES UNCHAINED, a b-side that hasn't been available on CD the rest of the bonus tracks are live versions. They're nice, but Hackett has made a huge amount of live performances available, both on CD and DVD. Because of this the live material, while good, isn't as interesting as alternate mixes and versions featured on SPECTRAL. The remastered sound is nice, but if you already own the previous release you might want to save this one for later. If you don't, then no worries . . . . this is one of Hackett's best albums and is highly recommended.

Average customer rating:

Defector Jojo Hermann Manufacturer: Fat Possum ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Rock Jam Bands | Jam Bands | Rock | Styles | Music Roots Rock | Rock | Styles | Music Southern Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Classic Rock | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Smiling Assassin Just Ain't Right Nine High a Pallet Co-Balt More Talk About Tonight ASIN: B000087DU9 Release Date: 2003-02-11

Tracks:

1. Mrs. Brown
2. I'll Get Around To It
3. Smoking Factory
4. And You Wonder Why
5. Step On Over Me
6. The True Blood Assembly Of Ravensville
7. Annie Stay
8. When It's My Time
9. Aim To Speed
10. Gonna Get A Ride
11. Let It All Go

Album Description

An integral part of leading 'jam band' Widespread Panic for the past 13 years, Jojo Hermann delivers a second solo album that once again pairs him up with Luther & Cody Dickinson of the North Mississippi All-Stars. Fat Possum. 11 tracks. Digipak. 2003.

Average customer rating: Not as great as the previous releases I like some of it A Gem on the Dusty Road of Music A much more uneven effort than "Spectral Mornings" A much more uneven effort than "Spectral Mornings"

Defector Steve Hackett Manufacturer: Blue Plate Caroline ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Progressive | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Spectral Mornings Please Don't Touch! Highly Strung Cured Voyage of the Acolyte ASIN: B000000I0M Release Date: 1991-07-12

Tracks:

1. The Steppes
2. Time To Get Out
3. Slogans
4. Leaving
5. Two Vamps As Guests
6. Jacuzzi
7. Hammer In The Sand
8. The Toast
9. The Show
10. Sentimental Institution

Customer Reviews:

Not as great as the previous releases.......2007-04-28

This is the fourth album from Steve, it contains three great tracks,
"The Steppes", "Jacuzzi" and "Slogans".
You have also some good acoustic songs, some pop ones (The Show and Time to get out) and a funny tracks in the 1920's style (Sentimental Institution) To my taste, this one is still good but not as great as the first three albums.

I like some of it.......2004-12-20

Maybe I branched out a little too far by buying this, since I am only an admirer of Genesis. I was determined to buy this, however, after the masterful performance Hackett gave on 'Blood on the rooftops'. That won me over. I bought this one and can say I like some of the songs. I admit, I am not a fan of instrumental music, perhaps my mind is not open enough, yet. However, my favourite track is a beautiful spanish guitar piece called 'Two Vamps As Guests', which lasts about a minute, whiich I like because I have a short concentration span. I also like Hammer in the sand, a nice piano meets string song. The Show is a fun 80's pop song, while Time to get out is a great pop meets prog song. Also, Toast and Leaving are really nica Folk songs that have a very mysterious aura aroudn them. Slogans, Jacuzzi and Steppes are complex prog instumentals which aren't really my thing but the prog fan will really like them. Sentimental institution is a daring attempt at old fashioned 20's pop. I don't mind it but it's not a song I really like or anything. I personally feel he could have done better with that last one, maybe I'm wrong.

A Gem on the Dusty Road of Music.......2004-12-05

I'm thankful my older brother introduced this album to me when it first came out; allow me to introduce it to you.

There are some albums you own that make you think: 1) I'm so glad this album has come into my life--I'm richer for hearing it; 2) The artist has mastered his/her instrument and plays with a wisdom that conveys unspoken language; 3) It isn't enough to own it, you have to tell others about it, so that they won't miss out on it. Steve Hackett's Defector is one such album.

I pulled this CD off my shelf the other day and found it has not lost any appeal whatsoever for me. The music (vocal-laced songs and instrumentals) is beautiful, clever, occasionally precious, gentle, sometimes hard, and confident. It is always interesting aurally.

Steve Hackett is such a wonderfully good guitarist with an ear finely attuned to interesting melodies and harmonies. His writing comes across as effortless; a natural progression.

If you are looking for an entry into the Steve Hackett catalog, Defector is my recommendation for where to start. Another fine Steve Hackett CD, but just so you know it is acoustic and quite relaxed, is Bay of Kings.

If you have an enormous CD collection, you might already own this album (get it out and give it another spin!), but if not and you are just browsing reviewers' recommendations desparately looking for something not on the well-trod path but altogether interesting look no further that Steve Hackett's Defector.

A much more uneven effort than "Spectral Mornings".......2003-03-24

On this 1980 album, Hackett has the band from his very good "Spectral Mornings" album, but the songwriting is much less consistent. Still, this was Hackett's most successful album, going to No. 9 on the British charts. I recall playing Side 1 of this album about three times as much as Side 2, so the sound clips here should give you a feel for the album's best material. "The Steppes" and "Slogans" use the wall-of-sound approach that was so successful on "Spectral Mornings". "The Steppes" may be the best example of this signature Hackett sound--booming bass pedals and spare drums set a slow beat over which Hackett's guitar, Nick Magnus' keyboards, and (brother) John Hackett's flute play a theme in a massive unison. "Leaving" is a pretty song, a reminder that Hackett wrote Genesis' "Entangled". On "Two Vamps as Guests", Hackett plays alone on a very processed acoustic guitar. In 1980, every prog-rock act was desperately trying to figure out how to get some radio play. Hackett's attempts at pop success were "Time to Get Out" and "The Show"; they don't really work, but they're better than later efforts like "Hope I Don't Wake". "Jacuzzi" is an instrumental that's too laid back here; it comes off better on the live "Time Lapse" album. "The Toast" is a pleasant curiosity that mixes a maudlin drinking song with an Erik Satie-style instrumental. "Hammer in the Sand" is a forgettable instrumental for keyboard and guitar synth. "Sentimental Institution" closes the album with a throwaway number, with singer Pete Hicks singing over music played entirely on the rhythm and chord buttons of an Optigan organ.

(1=poor 2=mediocre 3=pretty good 4=very good 5=phenomenal)

A much more uneven effort than "Spectral Mornings".......2003-03-24

On this 1980 album, Hackett has the band from his very good "Spectral Mornings" album, but the songwriting is much less consistent. Still, this was Hackett's most successful album, going to No. 9 on the British charts. I recall playing Side 1 of this album about three times as much as Side 2, so the sound clips here should give you a feel for the album's best material. "The Steppes" and "Slogans" use the wall-of-sound approach that was so successful on "Spectral Mornings". "The Steppes" may be the best example of this signature Hackett sound--booming bass pedals and spare drums set a slow beat over which Hackett's guitar, Nick Magnus' keyboards, and (brother) John Hackett's flute play a theme in a massive unison. "Leaving" is a pretty song, a reminder that Hackett wrote Genesis' "Entangled". On "Two Vamps as Guests", Hackett plays alone on a very processed acoustic guitar. In 1980, every prog-rock act was desperately trying to figure out how to get some radio play. Hackett's attempts at pop success were "Time to Get Out" and "The Show"; they don't really work, but they're better than later efforts like "Hope I Don't Wake". "Jacuzzi" is an instrumental that's too laid back here; it comes off better on the live "Time Lapse" album. "The Toast" is a pleasant curiosity that mixes a maudlin drinking song with an Erik Satie-style instrumental. "Hammer in the Sand" is a forgettable instrumental for keyboard and guitar synth. "Sentimental Institution" closes the album with a throwaway number, with singer Pete Hicks singing over music played entirely on the rhythm and chord buttons of an Optigan organ.

(1=poor 2=mediocre 3=pretty good 4=very good 5=phenomenal)

Average customer rating: Not as great as the previous releases I like some of it A Gem on the Dusty Road of Music A much more uneven effort than "Spectral Mornings" A much more uneven effort than "Spectral Mornings"

Defector Steve Hackett Manufacturer: EMI/Virgin ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Spectral Mornings Please Don't Touch! Highly Strung Cured Voyage of the Acolyte ASIN: B000025JU8 Release Date: 2004-01-01

Tracks:

1. The Steppes
2. Time To Get Out
3. Slogans
4. Leaving
5. Two Vamps As Guests
6. Jacuzzi
7. Hammer In The Sand
8. The Toast
9. The Show
10. Sentimental Institution

Customer Reviews:

Not as great as the previous releases.......2007-04-28

This is the fourth album from Steve, it contains three great tracks,
"The Steppes", "Jacuzzi" and "Slogans".
You have also some good acoustic songs, some pop ones (The Show and Time to get out) and a funny tracks in the 1920's style (Sentimental Institution) To my taste, this one is still good but not as great as the first three albums.

I like some of it.......2004-12-20

Maybe I branched out a little too far by buying this, since I am only an admirer of Genesis. I was determined to buy this, however, after the masterful performance Hackett gave on 'Blood on the rooftops'. That won me over. I bought this one and can say I like some of the songs. I admit, I am not a fan of instrumental music, perhaps my mind is not open enough, yet. However, my favourite track is a beautiful spanish guitar piece called 'Two Vamps As Guests', which lasts about a minute, whiich I like because I have a short concentration span. I also like Hammer in the sand, a nice piano meets string song. The Show is a fun 80's pop song, while Time to get out is a great pop meets prog song. Also, Toast and Leaving are really nica Folk songs that have a very mysterious aura aroudn them. Slogans, Jacuzzi and Steppes are complex prog instumentals which aren't really my thing but the prog fan will really like them. Sentimental institution is a daring attempt at old fashioned 20's pop. I don't mind it but it's not a song I really like or anything. I personally feel he could have done better with that last one, maybe I'm wrong.

A Gem on the Dusty Road of Music.......2004-12-05

I'm thankful my older brother introduced this album to me when it first came out; allow me to introduce it to you.

There are some albums you own that make you think: 1) I'm so glad this album has come into my life--I'm richer for hearing it; 2) The artist has mastered his/her instrument and plays with a wisdom that conveys unspoken language; 3) It isn't enough to own it, you have to tell others about it, so that they won't miss out on it. Steve Hackett's Defector is one such album.

I pulled this CD off my shelf the other day and found it has not lost any appeal whatsoever for me. The music (vocal-laced songs and instrumentals) is beautiful, clever, occasionally precious, gentle, sometimes hard, and confident. It is always interesting aurally.

Steve Hackett is such a wonderfully good guitarist with an ear finely attuned to interesting melodies and harmonies. His writing comes across as effortless; a natural progression.

If you are looking for an entry into the Steve Hackett catalog, Defector is my recommendation for where to start. Another fine Steve Hackett CD, but just so you know it is acoustic and quite relaxed, is Bay of Kings.

If you have an enormous CD collection, you might already own this album (get it out and give it another spin!), but if not and you are just browsing reviewers' recommendations desparately looking for something not on the well-trod path but altogether interesting look no further that Steve Hackett's Defector.

A much more uneven effort than "Spectral Mornings".......2003-03-24

On this 1980 album, Hackett has the band from his very good "Spectral Mornings" album, but the songwriting is much less consistent. Still, this was Hackett's most successful album, going to No. 9 on the British charts. I recall playing Side 1 of this album about three times as much as Side 2, so the sound clips here should give you a feel for the album's best material. "The Steppes" and "Slogans" use the wall-of-sound approach that was so successful on "Spectral Mornings". "The Steppes" may be the best example of this signature Hackett sound--booming bass pedals and spare drums set a slow beat over which Hackett's guitar, Nick Magnus' keyboards, and (brother) John Hackett's flute play a theme in a massive unison. "Leaving" is a pretty song, a reminder that Hackett wrote Genesis' "Entangled". On "Two Vamps as Guests", Hackett plays alone on a very processed acoustic guitar. In 1980, every prog-rock act was desperately trying to figure out how to get some radio play. Hackett's attempts at pop success were "Time to Get Out" and "The Show"; they don't really work, but they're better than later efforts like "Hope I Don't Wake". "Jacuzzi" is an instrumental that's too laid back here; it comes off better on the live "Time Lapse" album. "The Toast" is a pleasant curiosity that mixes a maudlin drinking song with an Erik Satie-style instrumental. "Hammer in the Sand" is a forgettable instrumental for keyboard and guitar synth. "Sentimental Institution" closes the album with a throwaway number, with singer Pete Hicks singing over music played entirely on the rhythm and chord buttons of an Optigan organ.

(1=poor 2=mediocre 3=pretty good 4=very good 5=phenomenal)

A much more uneven effort than "Spectral Mornings".......2003-03-24

On this 1980 album, Hackett has the band from his very good "Spectral Mornings" album, but the songwriting is much less consistent. Still, this was Hackett's most successful album, going to No. 9 on the British charts. I recall playing Side 1 of this album about three times as much as Side 2, so the sound clips here should give you a feel for the album's best material. "The Steppes" and "Slogans" use the wall-of-sound approach that was so successful on "Spectral Mornings". "The Steppes" may be the best example of this signature Hackett sound--booming bass pedals and spare drums set a slow beat over which Hackett's guitar, Nick Magnus' keyboards, and (brother) John Hackett's flute play a theme in a massive unison. "Leaving" is a pretty song, a reminder that Hackett wrote Genesis' "Entangled". On "Two Vamps as Guests", Hackett plays alone on a very processed acoustic guitar. In 1980, every prog-rock act was desperately trying to figure out how to get some radio play. Hackett's attempts at pop success were "Time to Get Out" and "The Show"; they don't really work, but they're better than later efforts like "Hope I Don't Wake". "Jacuzzi" is an instrumental that's too laid back here; it comes off better on the live "Time Lapse" album. "The Toast" is a pleasant curiosity that mixes a maudlin drinking song with an Erik Satie-style instrumental. "Hammer in the Sand" is a forgettable instrumental for keyboard and guitar synth. "Sentimental Institution" closes the album with a throwaway number, with singer Pete Hicks singing over music played entirely on the rhythm and chord buttons of an Optigan organ.

(1=poor 2=mediocre 3=pretty good 4=very good 5=phenomenal)

Average customer rating:

Defector Steve Hackett Manufacturer: Toshiba EMI Japan ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Spectral Mornings ASIN: B000CSUYX8 Release Date: 2006-02-27

Tracks:

1. Steppes
2. Time Get Out
3. Slogans
4. Leaving
5. Tow Vamps as Guests
6. Jacuzzi
7. Hammer in the Sand
8. Toast
9. Show
10. Sentimental Institution

Album Description

Japanese pressing has been digitally remastered and includes 5 bonus tracks, 'Hercules Unchained', 'Sentimental Institution' (Live At The Theatre Royal Drury Lane), 'Steppes' (Live At The Reading Festival), 'Slogans' (Live At The Reading Festival), 'Clocks-The Angel Of Mons' (Live At The Reading Festival). CD comes packaged in a miniature LP sleeve. Virgin. 2006.

Album Details

Japanese Digitally Remastered Limited Edition Issue of the Album Classic in a Deluxe, Miniaturized LP Sleeve Replica of the Original Vinyl Album Artwork.

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