- Article
- Read in 11 minutes
Steve Hackett – Recording Compendium, Part 3: 1981 – 1983
Part 3 of the Steve Hackett Recording Compendium is all about Steve’s last two albums for the Charisma label, on which he takes over the lead vocals himself for the first time…
Part 3: Cured / Highly Strung | 1981 – spring 1983
Last Update: 09/04/2025 | Overview | back to part 2 | on to part 4
Steve Hackett uses the three month break in Brazil to write new songs on his own. The pressure of having to ‘feed’ a whole band becomes too much for Steve and he decides to keep the personnel for his next album to a minimum, much to the chagrin of his previous band. John Ager becomes the new manager. Together with keyboardist and technology nerd Nick Magnus, he goes to work for six weeks in early summer to record his forthcoming album Cured, using the latest equipment such as the brand new drum machine from Linn Drum. As a sign of his new confidence, Steve now sings his own songs. He also plays bass for the first time. And in keeping with the lighter musical fare, the album cover features a photo of a relaxed Steve Hackett for the first time.
Hope I Don’t Wake
(Steve Hackett) (3:47)
Picture Postcard
(Steve Hackett) (3:54)
Can’t Let Go
(Steve Hackett) (5:42)
The Air-Conditioned Nightmare
(Steve Hackett) (4:42)
Funny Feeling
(Steve Hackett, Nick Magnus) (4:06)
?A Cradle Of Swans [rec. in 1980?]
(Steve Hackett) (2:49) originally supposed to be part of an all-acoustic album!
Overnight Sleeper
(Steve Hackett, Kim Poor) (4:37)
Turn Back Time
(Steve Hackett) (4:23)
Recording date: June & July? 1981
Recording location: Redan Studios/London
Produced by: Steve Hackett, John Acock & Nick Magnus
Performed by: Steve Hackett (Guitars, Bass & Vocals) feat. Nick Magnus (Keyboards, Drum Programming), John Hackett (Bass Pedals on Funny Feeling, Flute on Overnight Sleeper) & Bimbo Acock (Saxophone on Picture Postcard)
First official release: 14th August 1981 – Steve Hackett Cured (UK LP//Charisma CDS4021)
Best available source: 29th January 2007 – Steve Hackett Cured [2007 remaster] (UK CD//Virgin CDSCDR4021)
A slightly shortened version of the album opener will be released as a single…
Hope I Don’t Wake (Edit)
(Steve Hackett) (3:28)
First official release: 7th August 1981 – Steve Hackett Hope I Don’t Wake (UK 7“//Charisma CB 385)?
After the successful tours of the last few years, the new album will also be extensively ‘on the road’. However, Steve has to put together a new live band and has brought drummer Ian Mosley and Strawbs bassist Chas Cronk on board alongside the ‘established’ John Hackett and Nick Magnus. He takes on lead vocals for the first time and concentrates almost exclusively on instrumental tracks with older material. The first leg of the European tour begins on 22 August and ends on 12 October. Two concerts are scheduled for the weekend before the album release, which will also be recorded: a club gig and his second appearance at the legendary Reading Festival…
Intro/Slogans [live in Nottingham 1981]
(Steve Hackett) ()
Jacuzzi [live in Nottingham 1981]
(Steve Hackett) ()
The Steppes [live in Nottingham 1981]
(Steve Hackett) ()
Spectral Mornings [live in Nottingham 1981]
(Steve Hackett) ()
Air-Conditioned Nightmare [live in Nottingham 1981]
(Steve Hackett) ()
Performance date: 27th August 1981
Performance location: Rock City/Nottingham
Produced by:
Performed by: Steve Hackett feat. JH, NM, IM, CC
First official release: 1984 – Steve Hackett Live In Concert (UK VHS//WOT Video 81016)
Best available source: Bootleg – Steve Hackett Rock City – Live In Nottingham (DVD-r//Epping Forest EFDVDSH07)
The Air-Conditioned Nightmare (Live Version) [live at the Reading Festival 1981] *
(Steve Hackett) (4:08)* (4:43)
Every Day [live at the Reading Festival 1981]
(Steve Hackett) (6:47)
Ace Of Wands [live at the Reading Festival 1981]
(Steve Hackett) (6:45)
Funny Feeling [live at the Reading Festival 1981]
(Steve Hackett) (4:18)
The Steppes (Live) [live at the Reading Festival 1981] **
(Steve Hackett) (6:14)** (6:12)
Overnight Sleeper [live at the Reading Festival 1981]
(Steve Hackett, Kim Poor) (4:52)
Slogans (Live) [live at the Reading Festival 1981] **
(Steve Hackett) (4:38)** (4:42)
A Tower Struck Down (part 1) [live at the Reading Festival 1981]
(Steve Hackett, John Hackett) (3:12)
Spectral Mornings [live at the Reading Festival 1981]
(Steve Hackett) (6:10)
The Show [live at the Reading Festival 1981]
(Steve Hackett) (4:33)
Clocks – The Angel Of Mons (Live) [live at the Reading Festival 1981] **
(Steve Hackett) (5:52)** (6:07)
Performance date: 28th August 1981
Performance location: Reading Festival/Reading
Produced by: BBC
Performed by: Steve Hackett (Guitars, Vocals) feat. John Hackett (Flute, Guitar, Bass Pedals), Nick Magnus (Keyboards, Backing Vocals) Ian Mosley (Drums) & Chas Cronk (Bass, Backing Vocals)
Broadcast date: 17th November 1981 – In Concert (263) (BBC radio broadcast)
* First official release: 25th March 1983 – Steve Hackett Cell 151 (UK 12″//Charisma CELL 12)
** First official release: 19th September 2005 – Steve Hackett Defector [2005 remaster] (UK CD//Virgin CDSCDR4018)
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 Defector (Deluxe Edition) (EU 2CD+DVD//Virgin 477 682-5)
The concert in Rome will also be recorded, but will only be released 20 years later…
The Air Conditioned Nightmare [live in Rome 1981]
(Steve Hackett) (5:00)
Jacuzzi [live in Rome 1981]
(Steve Hackett) (5:04)
Funny Feeling [live in Rome 1981]
(Steve Hackett) (5:08)
Ace Of Wands [live in Rome 1981]
(Steve Hackett) (7:48)
Picture Postcard [live in Rome 1981]
(Steve Hackett) (5:18)
The Steppes [live in Rome 1981]
(Steve Hackett) (6:50)
Every Day [live in Rome 1981]
(Steve Hackett) (6:28)
Overnight Sleeper [live in Rome 1981)
(Steve Hackett/Kim Poor) (4:29)
Hope I Don’t Wake [live in Rome 1981]
(Steve Hackett) (4:26)
Slogans [live in Rome 1981]
(Steve Hackett) (5:18)
A Tower Struck Down (part 1) [live in Rome 1981]
(Steve Hackett, John Hackett) (3:26)
Spectral Mornings [live in Rome 1981]
(Steve Hackett) (5:40)
The Show [live in Rome 1981]
(Steve Hackett) (3:52)
Clocks – The Angel Of Mons [live in Rome 1981]
(Steve Hackett) (6:08)
Performance date: 13th September 1981
Performance location: Castel Sant’Angelo/Rome
Produced by: Steve Hackett
Mixed by: Billy Budis in 2001?
Performed by: Steve Hackett feat. JH, NM, IM, CC
First official release/Best available source: 12th November 2001 – Steve Hackett Live Archive 70, 80, 90’s (EU 4CD//Camino Records CAMCD 23)
After a short breather, the second leg of the tour will take the band across the North American continent from 20 October to 8 December. The concerts in Cleveland, Rochester and Vancouver can be heard on the radio and seen on TV. Parts of the concert in New York City will be used ten years later for the live album Time-Lapse…
Jacuzzi [live in New York City 1981]
(Steve Hackett) (4:29)
The Steppes [live in New York City 1981]
(Steve Hackett) (5:57)
Ace Of Wands [live in New York City 1981]
(Steve Hackett) (7:36)
Hope I Don’t Wake [live in New York City 1981]
(Steve Hackett) (4:13)
The Red Flower Of Tachai Blooms Everywhere [live in New York City 1981]
(Steve Hackett) (2:44)
Tigermoth (part 1) [live in New York City 1981]
(Steve Hackett) (3:22)
A Tower Struck Down (part 1) [live in New York City 1981]
(Steve Hackett, John Hackett) (2:58)
Performance date: 10th/11th November 1981
Performance location: Savoy Theater/New York City
Produced by: Steve Hackett & Billy Budis
Mixed by: Billy Budis (1991?)
Performed by: Steve Hackett feat. JH, NM, IM, CC
First official release: ?31st July 1992? – Steve Hackett Time-Lapse (NL CD//Crisis 500 001-2)
Best available source: Steve Hackett Time Lapse (EU CD//Camino Records CAMCD 11)
As early as February of the new year, Steve begins producing new material with Nick Magnus, but also wants to integrate real drums again, for which live drummer Ian Mosley is invited to the first sessions.
Cell 151 *
(Steve Hackett) (6:25)
Camino Royale **
(Steve Hackett, Nick Magnus) (5:27)
Always Somewhere Else **
(Steve Hackett) (4:01)
Walking Through Walls **
(Steve Hackett) (3:48)
Recording date: *February, **May 1982
Recording location: Barry Street Studios/London, Marcus Recording Studios/London, Redan Recorders/London
Produced by: Steve Hackett & John Acock
Performed by: Steve Hackett (Guitars, Bass, Harmonica, Vocals) feat. Nick Magnus (Keyboards), Ian Mosley (Drums), Chris Lawrence (Contrabass) & Nigel Warren-Green (Cello)
* First official release: 25th March 1983 – Steve Hackett Cell 151 (UK 12″//Charisma CELL 12)
** First official release: 22nd April 1983 – Steve Hackett Highly Strung (UK LP//Charisma HACK1)
Best available source: Steve Hackett Highly Strung [2007 remaster] (UK CD//Virgin HACKCDR1)
The collaboration with his long-standing label Charisma Records is becoming increasingly difficult, as they are still reluctant to release a live album that fans have been demanding and an acoustic album that Steve has been striving for, and are increasingly keen to have a say in the creative direction. One of the four new tracks – Cell 151 – has to be mixed eight times before the label deems it suitable enough for a commercial single release.
Cell 151 [8 alternate mixes]
(Steve Hackett) (3:30)
First official release/Best available source: —
Cell 151 (Edit)
(Steve Hackett) (3:30)
First official release/Best available source: 25th March 1983 – Steve Hackett Cell 151 (UK 7″//Charisma CELL 1)
Walking Through Walls (12″ Version)
(Steve Hackett) (5:55)
Walking Through Walls (7″ Remix Edit) *
(Steve Hackett) (?:??)
First official release: 2nd April 1983 – Steve Hackett Highly Strung (US LP//Epic BFE 38515)
Best available source: Steve Hackett Highly Strung [2007 remaster] (UK CD//Virgin HACKCDR1)
* First official release/Best available source: 1983 – Steve Hackett Walking Through Walls (acetate 7″)
Steve is currently working on other tracks which are yet to be recorded. Only one open air gig is booked this year, on 17 July at the Elixir Festival in Toulouse, France. Around this time he receives an offer to join an ‘All Star Band’ with Keith Emerson, Jack Bruce and Simon Phillips. After a few rehearsals, however, the project falls through. Before returning to Kim Poor’s native Brazil, another track for the next album is recorded…
Group Therapy
(Steve Hackett) (5:47)
Recording date: August 1982
Recording location: Barry Street Studios/London, Marcus Recording Studios/London, Redan Recorders/London
Produced by: Steve Hackett & John Acock
Performed by: Steve Hackett (Guitars, Bass, Harmonica, Vocals) feat. Nick Magnus (Keyboards), Ian Mosley (Drums), Chris Lawrence (Contrabass) & Nigel Warren-Green (Cello)
First official release: 22nd April 1983 – Steve Hackett Highly Strung (UK LP//Charisma HACK1)
Best available source: Steve Hackett Highly Strung [2007 remaster] (UK CD//Virgin HACKCDR1)
It was in Brazil that summer that he met Richard ‘Ritchie’ Court, an English expatriate who was about to embark on a solo career in his adopted country. Steve was involved in 8-track recordings that were later reworked and eventually released by CBS. One of Steve’s tracks ended up as the B-side of Ritchie’s debut single Menina Veneno early the following year, unexpectedly making him ‘Newcomer of the Year’ in Brazil! Another track appeared on Ritchie’s even more successful debut album, Vôo De Coração, whose striking guitar hookline Steve would revive on his 1999 song Jane Austen’s Door.
Baby Meu Bem (Te Amo) *
(Richard Court, Bernardo Vilhena) (3:41)
Vôo De Coração **
(Richard Court, Bernardo Vilhena) (4:01)
Recording date: ca. September 1982? (inkl. Steve Hackett), *31st December 1982 & **Spring? 1983
Recording location: Estúdios Da Sigla/Rio De Janeiro (instruments), Estúdio Transamérica/Rio De Janeiro
Produced by: Lee Martinez
Performed by: Ritchie (Richard Court) feat. Steve Hackett (El. Guitar) a.o.
* First official release: February 1983 – Ritchie Menina Veneno (BR 7“//Epic 46.049)
** First official release: June 1983 – Ritchie Vôo De Coração (BR LP//Epic Records 2-492321)
Best available source: Ritchie Vôo De Coração (Edição Comemorativa De 25 Anos) [2008 remaster] (BR CD//Sony Music 88697432792)
Steve learns of the spontaneous relief action of his old band Genesis, who want to help their former frontman Peter Gabriel financially with a reunion concert to cover the mountain of debt caused by the WOMAD festival he initiated. Steve is unable to travel from Brazil in time for the rehearsals, but manages to join his former colleagues on stage for the encore at the open air concert in Milton Keynes on 2 October, billed as ‘Six Of The Best’.
Afterwards, Steve Hackett will record the rest of his last album for Charisma Records with the significant title Highly Strung…
Give It Away
(Steve Hackett) (4:07)
Weightless
(Steve Hackett) (3:31)
India Rubber Man
(Steve Hackett) (2:31)
Hackett To Pieces
(Steve Hackett, Nick Magnus) (2:39)
Recording date: October/November 1982
Recording location: Barry Street Studios/London, Marcus Recording Studios/London, Redan Recorders/London
Produced by: Steve Hackett & John Acock
Performed by: Steve Hackett (Guitars, Bass, Harmonica, Vocals) feat. Nick Magnus (Keyboards), Ian Mosley (Drums), Chris Lawrence (Contrabass) & Nigel Warren-Green (Cello)
First official release: 22nd April 1983 – Steve Hackett Highly Strung (UK LP//Charisma HACK1)
Best available source: Steve Hackett Highly Strung [2007 remaster] (UK CD//Virgin HACKCDR1)
Inspired by the joyful reunion with his ex-colleagues from Genesis, Steve composes a piece for classical guitar, which is also recorded at the same time and will be released as a single B-side.
Time Lapse At Milton Keynes
(Steve Hackett) (3:52)
First official release: 25th March 1983 – Steve Hackett Cell 151 (UK 7″//Charisma CELL 1)
Best available source: Steve Hackett Highly Strung [2007 remaster] (UK CD//Virgin HACKCDR1)
On 10 November Steve is invited to record a new Channel 4 TV show by ex-Yes keyboard virtuoso Rick Wakeman and blues pianist Tony Ashton called GasTank, whose house band includes Hackett’s live bassist Chas Cronk. In addition to two solo tracks played live with the band, Steve also grabs a harmonica to accompany the band on two numbers on the recording with Suzie Quattro.
My Babe (Take 1 – 3) °*
(Willie Dixon) ()
My Babe °**
(Willie Dixon) (4:40)
C.C. Rider (Take 1) °** [See See Rider Blues]
(Ma Rainey/Lena Arrant) ()
C.C. Rider °** [See See Rider Blues]
(Ma Rainey/Lena Arrant) (4:29)
Hackett To Pieces (Take 1 – 6) *
(Steve Hackett) ()
Hackett To Pieces ***
(Steve Hackett) (4:28)
Interview (Take 1) *
()
Interview ***
(6:29)
Blues Jam (Take 1 & 2) *
(Steve Hackett) ()
Blues Jam Reprise (Take 2) *
(Steve Hackett) ()
Hackett’s Boogie ***
(Steve Hackett) (3:45)
Performance date: 10th November 1982
Performance location: Ewart Television Studios/Wandsworth
Performed by: GasTank House Band feat. Steve Hackett, °feat. Suzie Quattro
* First official release: —
* Best available source: Bootleg – Steve Hackett Gastank (2DVD-r//EFDVDSH09)
** Broadcast date: 22nd January 1983 – Gastank (Episode 4) (UK Channel 4 broadcast)
*** Broadcast date: 19th February 1983 – Gastank (Episode 6) (UK Channel 4 broadcast)
** / *** First official release/Best available source: 16. Dez. 2016 – Various Rick Wakeman & Tony Ashton Present: GasTank (Box Set) (5CD+2DVD//RRAW MFGZBOX2)
While Steve is busy mixing the album at the end of the year, there will be a single club gig in London in mid-December.
Steve is ringing in the new year by organising a charity concert in aid of Tadworth Children’s Hospital in Guildford. With the album production complete, the focus is now on album promotion and an upcoming tour. BBC Radio 1 invites him to a session for the Friday Rock Show on 4 March, to be broadcast in time for the album release in April…
Cell 151 [live at the BBC 1983]
(Steve Hackett) (4:59)
Walking Through Walls [live at the BBC 1983]
(Steve Hackett) (4:02)
Hackett To Pieces [live at the BBC 1983]
(Steve Hackett, Nick Magnus) (2:59)
Please Don’t Touch [live at the BBC 1983]
(Steve Hackett) (4:51)
Recording date: 4th March 1983
Recording location: BBC/London
Produced by: ?
Performed by: Steve Hackett feat. JH, NM, IM, CC
Broadcast date: 1st April 1983 – Friday Rock Show (BBC Radio 1)
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)
Steve drums up his live band in the line-up that has been tried and tested since 1981 and prepares for the upcoming tour. The boogie, which has been played at concerts since the end of the 70s, is recorded during rehearsals for the tour, but has to wait a whole 24 years for a release.
Guitar Boogie
(Steve Hackett) (2:11)
Recording date: April? 1983
Recording location:
Produced by: ?
First official release/Best available source: 29th January 2007 – Steve Hackett Highly Strung [2007 remaster] (UK CD//Virgin HACKCDR1)
The Highly Strung Tour kicks off just ten days after the album’s release on 19th April and this time Steve and his band will be touring his home country for just under three weeks until 9th May. Only one track from his first two solo albums will make it onto the set list. The concert on 22nd April in Manchester will be broadcast on the radio, but to the disappointment of his fans there will be no live album from this tour… not even in later years. Some songs are played here for the first and last time.
His time with Charisma Records is coming to an end, and it’s time for Steve to refocus…
Compiled and written by Steffen Gerlach
Header image: Helmut Janisch
Please feel free to send any comments, additions, corrections or questions to this email address.
Discussions are possible in our Recording Compendium sub-forum.