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Steve Hackett – Recording Compendium, Part 2: 1978 – 1980
The second part is about the phase with Steve Hackett’s first, permanent solo band, with whom the albums Spectral Mornings and Defector were recorded and toured extensively.
Part 2: Spectral Mornings / Defector | Summer 1978 – 1980
Last update: 26/03/2025 | Overview | back to part 1 | on to part 3
After the release of Steve Hackett’s second album, Please Don’t Touch!, it became clear that there was a demand for his music, so the next big step was obvious: Steve’s music should be performed live! But he didn’t have a band. Over the summer, Steve put together a band to play concerts in the autumn. Besides his brother John Hackett, the band includes Enid keyboardist Nick Magnus, Decameron bassist Dik Cadbury, Quiver drummer John Shearer and vocalist Pete Hicks. Hackett’s first solo gig took place in Oslo on 4 October 1978, and he and his band played in several European countries until 30 October.
In addition to songs from his first two albums and his own version of the Genesis classic I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe), the set also includes new instrumental pieces written since the recording of his last album and now being tested live: Clocks – The Angel Of Mons, originally intended for a horror film; the title track of his next album, Spectral Mornings, originally planned with vocals; an intro combining parts of later tracks Tigermoth and Land Of A Thousand Autumns; and The Optigan, a witty demonstration of an ancient keyboard instrument.
Fortunately, German radio station Radio Bremen booked Steve and the band for a live studio performance in front of an audience for their TV show Musikladen, but this would not be broadcast until the following year and would only be released on DVD 26 years later, along with two bonus tracks, which were not part of the broadcast at the time …
Intro (excerpts from Tigermoth & Land Of A Thousand Autumns) [live at Musikladen 1978]
(Steve Hackett) (2:30) First known performance date: 4th October 1978 (Chateau Neuf/Oslo)
Please Don’t Touch [live 1978 at Musikladen 1978]
(Steve Hackett) (5:13)
Racing In A (part 1) / Ace Of Wands (closing section) [live at Musikladen 1978]
(Steve Hackett) (7:438:21)
Carry On Up The Vicarage [live at Musikladen 1978] *
(Steve Hackett) (4:42)
Ace Of Wands (part 1) [live at Musikladen 1978]
(Steve Hackett) (5:34)
Narnia [live at Musikladen 1978]
(Steve Hackett) (4:56)
Acoustic Set [live at Musikladen 1978]
a) Etude In A Minor (excerpt)
(Matteo Carcassi) (0:45)
b) Blood On The Rooftops (intro)
(Phil Collins, Steve Hackett) (0:18)
c) Horizons
(Steve Hackett) (1:43)
d) Kim
(Steve Hackett) (2:11)
The Optigan [live at Musikladen 1978]
(Steve Hackett) (2:08) First known performance date: 4th October 1978 (Chateau Neuf/Oslo)
A Tower Struck Down (part 1) [live at Musikladen 1978]
(Steve Hackett, John Hackett) (3:14)
Spectral Mornings [live at Musikladen 1978]
(Steve Hackett) (6:02) First known performance date: 4th October 1978 (Chateau Neuf/Oslo)
Star Of Sirius [live at Musikladen 1978] *
(Steve Hackett) (9:28)
Shadow Of The Hierophant [live at Musikladen 1978]
(Steve Hackett, Mike Rutherford) (9:50)
Clocks – The Angel Of Mons [live at Musikladen 1978]
(Steve Hackett) (4:33) First known performance date: 4th October 1978 (Chateau Neuf/Oslo)
Performing date: 18th October 1978
Performing location: Radio Bremen TV studio/Bremen
Produced by:
Performed by: Steve Hackett (Guitars, Guitar Synth, Vocals) feat. John Hackett (Flute, Bass Pedals, Guitar), Nick Magnus (Keyboards), Dik Cadbury (Bass, Vocals), John Shearer (Drums & Percussion), Pete Hicks (Lead & Backing Vocals)
First official release: 24th May 1979 – Musikladen (Radio Bremen TV broadcast)
* First official release: 20th May 2005 – Steve Hackett Spectral Mornings (DE DVD//ARD Video 4 031778 520014)
Best available source: Steve Hackett The Bremen Broadcast – Musikladen 8th November 1978 (UK DVD//Esoteric Antenna EANT 1001)
Best available audio source: Steve Hackett Spectral Mornings (Special Limited Edition) (UK DVD+CD//Gonzo Media Group HST010DVD, HST010CD)
Extracts from the final gig in London will also be published in later years…
Ace Of Wands (part 1) [live in London 1978]
(Steve Hackett) (5:05)
Hands Of The Priestess (parts 1 & 2) [live in London 1978]
(Steve Hackett) (6:04)
Racing In A (part 1) / Ace Of Wands (closing section) [live in London 1978]
(Steve Hackett) (7:51)
Performing date: 30th October 1978
Performing location: Hammersmith Odeon/London
Produced by: Steve Hackett
Performed by: Steve Hackett feat. JH, NM, DC, JS & PH
First official release/Best available source: 12th November 2001 – Steve Hackett Live Archive 70’s (UK CD//Camino Records CAMCD 23X)
The tour was a resounding success and gave Steve the confidence that he could work solo on stage – not least because of the choice of musicians, which turned out to be an absolute stroke of luck. This led to the decision to continue working with this line-up. New material is immediately worked on.
Right at the beginning of the new year, Steve and the band will be travelling to snowy Hilversum in Holland for six weeks to record a new album, which is due to be released in the spring.
Every Day
(Steve Hackett) (6:15)
The Virgin And The Gypsy
(Steve Hackett) (4:29)
The Red Flower Of Tai Chi Blooms Everywhere
(Steve Hackett) (2:05)
Clocks – The Angel Of Mons
(Steve Hackett) (4:17)
The Ballad Of The Decomposing Man (Featuring ‘The Office Party’)
(Steve Hackett) (3:49)
Lost Time In Cordoba
(Steve Hackett) (4:04)
Tigermoth
(Steve Hackett) (7:35)
Spectral Mornings
(Steve Hackett) (6:33)
The Caretaker [hidden ‘spoken word’ track]
(Pete Hicks) (1:41)
Recording date: January & February 1979
Recording location: Phonogram Studios/Hilversum
Produced by: John Acock & Steve Hackett
Performed by: Steve Hackett (Guitars, Guitar Synth, Koto, Harmonica, Vocals) feat. John Hackett (Flutes, Bass Pedals), Nick Magnus (Keyboards), Dik Cadbury (Bass, Bass Pedals, Violin, Vocals), John Shearer (Drums, Percussion) & Pete Hicks (Lead/Backing Vocals)
First official release: 26th May 1979 – Steve Hackett Spectral Mornings (UK LP// Charisma CDS4017)
Best available source: Steve Hackett Spectral Mornings [2005 remaster] (UK CD//Virgin CDSCDR4017)
Over time, single versions, alternative mixes and new stereo and surround versions of the album will also be released.
Every Day (Alternate Mix)
(Steve Hackett) (7:09)
The Virgin And The Gypsy (Alternate Mix)
(Steve Hackett) (4:29)
Tigermoth (Alternate Mix) [part 2]
(Steve Hackett) (3:19)
The Ballad Of The Decomposing Man (Alternate Mix)
(Steve Hackett) (4:23)
First official release/Best available source: 19th September?/15th October? 2005 – Steve Hackett Spectral Mornings [2005 remaster] (UK CD//Virgin CDSCDR4017)
Every Day (Single Version)
(Steve Hackett) (2:43)
First official release: 11th June 1979 – Steve Hackett Every Day (UK 7“//Charisma CB 334)
Best available source: Steve Hackett Spectral Mornings (Deluxe Edition) (EU 2CD+DVD//Virgin 477 681-1)
Clocks – The Angel Of Mons (New Version / Single Version)
(Steve Hackett) (3:37)
First official release: 31st August 1979 – Steve Hackett Clocks (UK 12“//Charisma CB 341-12)
Best available source: Steve Hackett Spectral Mornings (Deluxe Edition) (EU 2CD+DVD//Virgin 477 681-1)
Every Day [2015 stereo & 5.1 surround remix]
(Steve Hackett) (6:26) (6:15)
The Virgin And The Gypsy [2015 stereo & 5.1 surround remix]
(Steve Hackett) (4:30) (4:29)
The Red Flower Of Tai Chi Blooms Everywhere [2015 stereo & 5.1 surround remix]
(Steve Hackett) (2:10) (2:05)
Clocks – The Angel Of Mons [2015 stereo & 5.1 surround remix]
(Steve Hackett) (4:27) (4:33)
The Ballad Of The Decomposing Man (Featuring ‘The Office Party’) [2015 stereo & 5.1 surround remix]
(Steve Hackett) (3:50) (3:49)
Lost Time In Cordoba [2015 stereo & 5.1 surround remix]
(Steve Hackett) (4:04)
Tigermoth [2015 stereo & 5.1 surround remix]
(Steve Hackett) (7:36) (7:35)
Spectral Mornings [2015 stereo & 5.1 surround remix]
(Steve Hackett) (6:33) (6:35)
Remix date: February 2015
Remixed by: Steven Wilson
First official release: 16th October 2015 – Steve Hackett Premonitions: The Charisma Recordings 1975 – 1983 (EU 10CD+4DVD//Universal Music Catalogue 474-141-4)
Best available source: Steve Hackett Spectral Mornings (Deluxe Edition) (EU 2CD+DVD//Virgin 477 681-1)
Ahead of the album’s release, the band will play a warm-up gig in Paris on 21 April to prepare for the European tour starting at the end of May. The tour begins in Gothenburg, Sweden on 25 May and ends in Oxford on 1 July. This spring tour is well documented with the release of excerpts from the Paris concert and complete recordings of London and the final Oxford gig, which will even be recorded on multitrack tape as an optional live album. The setlist this time is almost exclusively released material, with the exception of the closing section of Every Day, which appears on the later Jacuzzi, a boogie tacked onto the end of I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe) and The Optigan again.
Tigermoth (Part 1 – Lay Down Your Arms And Surrender To Mine) (Live) [live in Paris 1979]
(Steve Hackett) (2.58)
Acoustic Set (Live) [live in Paris 1979]
(5:37)
a) Lost Time In Cordoba (excerpt)
(Steve Hackett)
b) Etude In A Minor (excerpt)
(Matteo Carcassi)
c) Blood On The Rooftops (intro)
(Phil Collins, Steve Hackett)
d) Horizons
(Steve Hackett)
e) Kim
(Steve Hackett)
Performing date: 11th June 1979
Performing location: Pavillion de Paris/Paris
Produced by: Steve Hackett & John Acock
Performed by: Steve Hackett feat. JH, NM, DC, JS & PH
First official release: 31st August 1979 – Steve Hackett Clocks (UK 12“//Charisma CB 341-12)
Best available source: Steve Hackett Spectral Mornings [2005 remaster] (UK CD//Virgin 0 94635 23132 9)
Intro (excerpts from Tigermoth & Land Of A Thousand Autumns) [live in London 1979]
(Steve Hackett) (2:01)
Please Don’t Touch [live in London 1979]
(Steve Hackett) (5:46)
Tigermoth (part 1) [live in London 1979]
(Steve Hackett) (3:37)
Every Day / Jacuzzi (outro) [live in London 1979]
(Steve Hackett) (7:29)
Narnia [live in London 1979]
(Steve Hackett) (4:36)
The Red Flower Of Tai Chi Blooms Everywhere [live in London 1979]
(Steve Hackett) (4:04)
Ace Of Wands (part 1) [live in London 1979]
(Steve Hackett) (7:23)
Carry On Up The Vicarage [live in London 1979]
(Steve Hackett) (3:33)
Acoustic Set:
a) Lost Time In Cordoba (excerpt) / Etude In A Minor (excerpt) [live in London 1979]
(Steve Hackett) (Matteo Carcassi) (0:38)
b) Blood On The Rooftops (intro) [live in London 1979]
(Phil Collins, Steve Hackett) (0:18)
c) Horizons [live in London 1979]
(Steve Hackett) (1:59)
d) Kim [live in London 1979]
(Steve Hackett) (2:36)
The Optigan [live in London 1979]
(Steve Hackett) (1:29)
A Tower Struck Down (part 1) [live in London 1979]
(Steve Hackett, John Hackett) (3:31)
Spectral Mornings [live in London 1979]
(Steve Hackett) (6:58)
[band introduction live in London 1979]
(1:07)
Star Of Sirius [live in London 1979]
(Steve Hackett) (10:17)
Shadow Of The Hierophant [live in London 1979]
(Steve Hackett) (9:36)
Clocks – The Angel Of Mons [live in London 1979]
(Steve Hackett) (7:18)
I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe) [live in London 1979]
(Tony Banks, Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel, Steve Hackett, Mike Rutherford) (8:50) First known performance date: 4th October 1978 (Chateau Neuf/Oslo)
Wardrobe Boogie [live in London 1979]
(Steve Hackett) (5:03) First known performance date: 4th October 1978 (Chateau Neuf/Oslo)?
Racing In A (part 1) / Ace Of Wands (closing section) [live in London 1979]
(Steve Hackett) (12:15)
Racing In A (part 2 – Coda) [live in London 1979]
(Steve Hackett) (2:07)
Performing date: 30th June 1979
Performing location: Hammersmith Odeon/London
Produced by: Steve Hackett
Performed by: Steve Hackett feat. JH, NM, DC, JS & PH
First official release/Best available source: 12th November 2001 – Steve Hackett Live Archive 70, 80, 90’s (EU 4CD//Camino Records CAMCD 23)
Intro (excerpts from Tigermoth & Land Of A Thousand Autumns) / Please Don’t Touch [live in Oxford 1979]
(Steve Hackett) (8:27)
Tigermoth (part 1) [live in Oxford 1979]
(Steve Hackett) (3:36)
Every Day / Jacuzzi (outro) [live in Oxford 1979]
(Steve Hackett) (7:25)
Narnia [live in Oxford 1979]
(Steve Hackett) (4:42)
The Red Flower Of Tai Chi Blooms Everywhere [live in Oxford 1979]
(Steve Hackett) (3:25)
Ace Of Wands (part 1) [live in Oxford 1979]
(Steve Hackett) (7:31)
Carry On Up The Vicarage [live in Oxford 1979]
(Steve Hackett) (3:18)
Acoustic Set [live in Oxford 1979]
(5:29)
a) Lost Time In Cordoba (excerpt)
(Steve Hackett)
b) Etude In A Minor (excerpt)
(Matteo Carcassi)
c) Blood On The Rooftops (intro)
(Phil Collins, Steve Hackett)
d) Horizons
(Steve Hackett)
e) Kim
(Steve Hackett)
The Optigan / A Tower Struck Down (part 1) [live in Oxford 1979]
(Steve Hackett) / (Steve Hackett, John Hackett) (5:15)
Spectral Mornings [live in Oxford 1979]
(Steve Hackett) (7:12)
Star Of Sirius [live in Oxford 1979]
(Steve Hackett) (9:54)
Shadow Of The Hierophant [live in Oxford 1979]
(Steve Hackett, Mike Rutherford) (9:43)
Clocks – The Angel Of Mons [live in Oxford 1979]
(Steve Hackett) (5:54)
I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe) / Wardrobe Boogie [live in Oxford 1979]
(Tony Banks, Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel, Steve Hackett, Mike Rutherford) / (Steve Hackett) (11:29)
Racing In A (part 1) / Ace Of Wands (closing section) [live in Oxford 1979]
(Steve Hackett) (9:14)
Performing date: 1st July 1979
Performing location: New Theatre/Oxford
Mix date: April 2015
Mixed by: Ben Wiseman & Mark Powell at Blitz Productions/London
Performed by: Steve Hackett feat. JH, NM, DC, JS & PH
First official release/Best available source: 16th October 2015 – Steve Hackett Premonitions: The Charisma Recordings 1975 – 1983 (EU 10CD+4DVD//Universal Music Catalogue 474-141-4)
The summer break is interrupted by an open-air performance at the legendary Reading Festival on 25 August – the day before Peter Gabriel’s appearance there, which he surprisingly plays with drummer Phil Collins. Excerpts of Steve’s concert were broadcast by BBC Radio but not officially released, so you have to resort to bootlegs.
Following the surprise success of Hackett’s album and tour, the band will tour England and Scotland again this autumn, from 22 October to 12 November. Fans can look forward to previously unreleased material: the instrumental Eric, which would later be called The Steppes, the rock number Hercules Unchained and Sentimental Institution, which was developed from The Optigan. Years later, excerpts from the autumn tour concerts in Newcastle and London were released, but without the new song Hercules Unchained, which was only available as an early live version on bootlegs.
Hercules Unchained [live 1979]
(Steve Hackett, Pete Hicks) (3:09) First known performance date: 23th October 1979 (Apollo Theatre/Glasgow)
Performing date: 23th October 1979
Performing location: Apollo Theatre/Glasgow
Performed by: feat. JH, NM, DC, JS & PH
First official release/Best available source: Bootleg – Steve Hackett Glasgow ’79 (2CD-r//Audience Recording)
Intro (excerpts from Tigermoth & Land Of A Thousand Autumns) / Please Don’t Touch [live in Newcastle 1979]
(Steve Hackett) (7:53)
Tigermoth (part 1) [live in Newcastle 1979]
(Steve Hackett) (3:42)
Every Day / Jacuzzi (outro) [live in Newcastle 1979]
(Steve Hackett) (7:27)
Eric (The Steppes) [live in Newcastle 1979]
(Steve Hackett) (5:53) First known performance date: 24th October 1979 (Apollo Theatre/Manchester)
Narnia [live in Newcastle 1979]
(Steve Hackett) (4:10)
The Red Flower Of Tai Chi Blooms Everywhere [live in Newcastle 1979]
(Steve Hackett) (3:03)
Sentimental Institution [live in Newcastle 1979]
(Steve Hackett, Pete Hicks) (2:39) First known performance date: 23th October 1979 (Apollo Theatre/Glasgow)
Star Of Sirius [live in Newcastle 1979]
(Steve Hackett) (9:40)
Spectral Mornings [live in Newcastle 1979]
(Steve Hackett) (6:43)
Clocks – The Angel Of Mons [live in Newcastle 1979]
(Steve Hackett) (5:29)
Performing date: 26th October 1979
Performing location: City Hall/Newcastle
Produced by: Steve Hackett
Performed by: Steve Hackett
First official release/Best available source: 12th November 2001 – Steve Hackett Live Archive 70’s (UK CD//Camino Records CAMCD23X)
Intro (excerpts from Tigermoth & Land Of A Thousand Autumns) / Please Don’t Touch [live in London 1979 II] *
(Steve Hackett) (7:50) (8:31)
Tigermoth (part 1) [live in London 1979 II]
(Steve Hackett) (3:43)
Every Day / Jacuzzi (outro) [live in London 1979 II]
(Steve Hackett) (7:11)
Ace Of Wands (part 1) [live in London 1979 II] **
(Steve Hackett) (6:30) (6:52)
Sentimental Institution [live in London 1979] ***
(Steve Hackett, Pete Hicks) (3:02) (2:37)
The Red Flower Of Tai Chi Blooms Everywhere [live in London 1979 II]
(Steve Hackett) (4:24)
Spectral Mornings [live in London 1979 II]
(Steve Hackett) (6:45)
Clocks – The Angel Of Mons [live in London 1979 II]
(Steve Hackett) (4:30)
Acoustic Medley [live in London 1979 II]
(5:03)
a) Lost Time In Cordoba (excerpt)
(Steve Hackett)
b) Etude In A Minor (excerpt)
(Matteo Carcassi)
c) Blood On The Rooftops (intro)
(Phil Collins, Steve Hackett)
d) Horizons
(Steve Hackett)
e) Kim
(Steve Hackett)
Performance date: 11th November 1979
Performance location: Theatre Royal, Drury Lane/London
Produced by:
Performed by: Steve Hackett feat. JH, NM, DC, JS & PH
First official release: 16th October 2015 – Steve Hackett Premonitions: The Charisma Recordings 1975 – 1983 (EU 10CD+4DVD//Universal Music Catalogue 474-141-4)
* First official release: 19th September?/15th October? 2005 – Steve Hackett Please Don’t Touch! [2005 remaster] (UK CD//Virgin CDSCDR)
** First official release: 19th September?/15th October? 2005 – Steve Hackett Voyage Of The Acolyte [2005 remaster] (UK CD//Virgin CDSCDR)
*** First official release: 19th September?/15th October? 2005 – Steve Hackett Defector [2005 remaster] (UK CD//Virgin CDSCDR4018)
Best available source: Steve Hackett Premonitions: The Charisma Recordings 1975 – 1983 (EU 10CD+4DVD//Universal Music Catalogue 474-141-4)
Surprised by his own success and the excellent atmosphere in the band, Steve wants to ride the wave for a while longer and continue working on new material, for which he is now inspired by more unusual things and topics, such as the political drama film The Conformist or the impressions of his stay in Washington DC over Christmas.
By February, he will have enough material for a second album with his current band, in addition to the tracks already tested live, which will be recorded at London’s Wessex Sound Studios from March. A first single, The Show, will be released while the album is being recorded. The Defector album is finally released in June and even makes it into the UK Top 10 album charts…
The Steppes
(Steve Hackett) (6:04)
Time To Get Out
(Steve Hackett) (4:12)
Slogans
(Steve Hackett) (3:58)
Leaving
(Steve Hackett) (3:04)
Two Vamps As Guests
(Steve Hackett) (1:53)
Jacuzzi
(Steve Hackett ) (4:37)
Hammer In The Sand
(Steve Hackett) (3:12)
The Toast
(Steve Hackett) (3:43)
The Show *
(Steve Hackett) (3:41)
Sentimental Institution
(Steve Hackett, Pete Hicks) (2:33)
Recording date: ca. March & April 1979
Recording location: Wessex Sound Studios/London
Produced by: John Acock & Steve Hackett
Performed by: Steve Hackett (Guitars, Guitar Synth, Optigan, Vocals) feat. John Hackett (Flutes, Bass Pedals), Nick Magnus (Keyboards), Dik Cadbury (Bass, Bass Pedals, Vocals), John Shearer (Drums, Percussion) & Pete Hicks (Lead/Backing Vocals)
* First official release: (29th?) March 1980 – Steve Hackett The Show (UK 7“//Charisma CB 357)
First official release: 21st June 1980 – Steve Hackett Defector (UK LP//Charisma CDS4018)
Best available source: Steve Hackett Defector [2005 remaster] (UK CD//Virgin CDSCDR)
A track from the album sessions that has already been tried out live only ends up as a single B-side…
Hercules Unchained
(Steve Hackett, Pete Hicks) (2:44)
First official release: (29th?) March 1980 – Steve Hackett The Show (UK 7“//Charisma CB 357)
Best available source: Steve Hackett Defector [2005 remaster] (UK CD//Virgin CDSCDR)
Even before the release of Defector on 21 June, Steve and the band will be back on tour, touring the UK from 11 June to 5 July. The subsequent summer break will be interrupted once again by an important festival appearance, as Steve Hackett has been invited to perform at this year’s Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland on 13 July.
While another single, Sentimental Institution, was released in August, Steve withdrew and worked on purely acoustic guitar pieces, recording a total of around 15 minutes of material. The idea of releasing a ‘proper’ solo album with all acoustic tracks, similar to what his predecessor in Genesis – Anthony Phillips – had already done with two albums in his Private Parts & Pieces series, matured in him. But his label Charisma is sceptical. After all, three of the tracks recorded will be released next year as singles, B-sides and albums, including one that will be used as the title theme for the TV show Second Chance…
Tales Of The Riverbank (Andante in C) *
(Mauro Giuliani, arranged by Steve Hackett) (2:00)
? A Cradle Of Swans **
(Steve Hackett) (2:49) originally supposed to be part of an all-acoustic album!
Theme From ‘Second Chance’ ***
(Steve Hackett) (2:00)
[unidentified acoustic tracks] ****
(Steve Hackett) (2:00)
Recording date: Summer? 1980
Recording location:
Produced by: Steve Hackett & John Acock
Performed by: Steve Hackett (Guitar)
* First official release: 7th August 1981 – Steve Hackett Hope I Don’t Wake (UK 7“//Charisma CB 385)
** First official release: 29th August 1981 – Steve Hackett Cured (UK LP//Charisma CDS4021)
*** First official release: 10th? October 1981 – Steve Hackett Picture Postcard (UK 7“//Charisma CB 390)
Best available source: 29th January 2007 – Steve Hackett Cured [2007 remaster] (UK CD//Charisma CDSCDR4021)
**** First official release/Best available source: —
Steve’s first tour in North America will follow from 20 September to 23 October, before going on tour in Europe from 11 November to 5 December.
While last year’s Spectral Mornings tour is still well documented by a number of releases, the Defector tour is a different story. Those interested would have to turn to various bootlegs that are available from a number of radio and TV broadcasts: TV recordings exist from the Montreux Jazz Festival on 13 July and from the performance on 30 September in New York City, and radio recordings from 5 October in Washington, 10 October in Chicago and 17 October in San Francisco. This is the only way to hear, for example, Time To Get Out played on this tour or Steve’s live version of the Elvis song It’s Now Or Never from 1960 – an English version of the Italian classic O Sole Mio.
It’s Now Or Never [live 1980]
(Eduardo di Capua/Aaron Schroeder, Wally Gold) () First known performance date: 15th June 1980 (City Hall/Newcastle)
Performing date: 13th July 1980
Performing location: Grand Casino/Montreux
Performed by: feat. JH, NM, DC, JS & PH
First official release: —
Best available source: Bootleg – Steve Hackett Complete Montreux (DVD-r//TV broadcast)
Hackett’s label Charisma seems to have no interest in releasing a live album that is long overdue for the fans. After this two and a half year tour de force with this band, Steve is exhausted. So the plan to spend several months in Kim Poor’s home country comes at just the right time…
Compiled and written by Steffen Gerlach
Header image: Helmut Janisch
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