Steve Hackett – Selling England By The Pound & Spectral Mornings: Live at Hammersmith – info and review

Another concert recording, this time of Steve Hackett’s 2019 tour, will be released on September 25, 2020 in various formats: Selling England By The Pound & Spectral Mornings: Live At Hammersmith. The 2019 tour not only featured a complete performance of the Genesis album Selling England By The Pound, it also marked the 40th anniversary of Hackett’s classic solo album Spectral Mornings and selections of his latest studio album At The Edge Of Light, so Steve Hackett and his band played several tracks from these albums as well. The concerts were also the first for drummer Craig Blundell in the band. Craig, who previously played for Steven Wilson, replaced Gary O’Toole, who had left the band the year before for personal reasons (you can also watch and listen to the band’s last tour in the form of a live album and a concert film – Genesis Revisited: Band And Orchestra – Live At The Royal Festival Hall.

The concert was recorded at the Hammersmith Eventim Apollo – the last show of the UK tour 2019 took place there. Steve Hackett was of course supported by his band again: Roger King (keyboards), Jonas Reingold (bass), Rob Townsend (wind instruments), Craig Blundell (drums / percussion) and singer Nad Sylvan. In addition, there are the guests at this show: Steve’s brother John Hackett (flute) and Amanda Lehmann (vocals & guitar). On Selling England the bonus track Deja Vu is worth mentioning, which was written during the album sessions at one point, but was only finished and published on Genesis Revisited in 1996 by Steve Hackett with the blessing of Peter Gabriel (then with Paul Carrack as singer). Of course, Nad Sylvan sins Deja Vu on this live album and concert film.

Incidentally, the surround sound on the DVD / Blu-ray was created by Steven Wilson!

The concert will be available as a digital album, plus various physical formats. It is available as a 2CD either with an additional DVD or an additional Blu-ray (by the way, there is a bonus documentary about the tour on the Blu-ray only!). There is also a 4LP/2CD set and an extensive artbook in which 2CD, Blu-ray and DVD are combined (including an illustrated book in LP format).

Tracklist of the concert (on the CDs)

CD1

01. Intro

02. Every Day

03. Under The Eye of The Sun

04. Fallen Walls And Pedestals

05. Beasts Of Our Time

06. The Virgin And The Gypsy

07. Tigermoth

08. Spectral Mornings

09. The Red Flower Of Tai Chi Blooms Everywhere

10. Clocks – Angel of Mons

11. Dancing With The Moonlit Knight

12. I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)

CD2

01. Firth Of Fifth

02. More Fool Me

03. The Battle Of Epping Forest

04. After The Ordeal

05. The Cinema Show

06. Aisle of Plenty

07. Deja Vu

08. Dance On A Volcano

09. Los Endos

A special vinyl edition in green vinyl is also available exclusively from the Hackettstore (now sold out).

A detailed review will follow shortly.