Hello, Phil Aston here from Now Spinning Magazine with another album review. Actually, this time it’s three reviews rolled into one—a Steve Hackett special! Originally, I planned to focus on the brand-new live album, Live Magic at The Trading Boundaries, but with the coinciding vinyl reissues of two more fabulous albums—Steve Hackett & The Underworld Orchestra: Metamorpheus (originally from 2004) and Tribute (from 2015)—I decided to showcase all three together.
Each of these releases highlights Steve’s extraordinary acoustic and classical guitar skills—an important facet of his musicianship that goes beyond the electrifying prog-rock performances he’s best known for. Partway through this blog post, I’m joined by my wife Sue Aston, who has a classical music background and offers her insight on one of Bach’s trickiest compositions, beautifully tackled by Steve.
1. Live Magic at The Trading Boundaries
The latest release, Live Magic at The Trading Boundaries, is a wonderful live recording (available on CD, download, and a double vinyl set). At around 60 minutes total, it neatly fits onto two LPs—about 15 minutes per side. This album captures a more intimate, acoustic-driven show, complete with classical interludes and reworkings of both Genesis classics and selections from Hackett’s solo career.
The Venue & Performance
The Trading Boundaries looks like a charming, atmospheric place to catch a live set, and this recording reflects that cozy vibe. Steve is joined by:
John Hackett (flute)
Roger King (keyboards)
Amanda Lehmann (guitar & vocals)
Rob Townsend (flute, whistle, and soprano sax)
Highlights
Side One: Short acoustic guitar pieces that let Steve’s nimble fingerstyle shine.
Side Two: Moves into more ensemble playing with flute, creating a relaxed yet captivating atmosphere.
Side Three: Incorporates dramatic organ sounds (as on “Pointe Organ de Chiesa”), giving it a cinematic, almost church-like reverence.
Side Four: Features Amanda Lehmann’s song “Memory Lane,” written about her mother’s struggle with dementia. It’s a deeply moving piece that adds a heartfelt touch to the performance.
The album as a whole offers a dreamlike quality. John Hackett and Rob Townsend’s combined flute and sax work is especially emotive, and the flow from one track to the next feels seamless—perfectly illustrating the breadth of Steve Hackett’s acoustic prowess.
2. Metamorpheus (Steve Hackett & The Underworld Orchestra)
Originally released in 2004, Metamorpheus is a studio album that pairs Steve’s classical guitar with a small string ensemble. Now reissued on vinyl, it quickly became one of my personal favorites.
Musical Lineup
The Underworld Orchestra includes principal violin, viola, cello, double bass, flute, piccolo, trumpet, and French horn. This creates a sweeping, cinematic backdrop against which Steve’s guitar work truly soars.
What to Expect
Ambient & Ethereal: Tracks like “Charon’s Call” deliver mystical violin passages and atmospheric textures that feel like a movie score.
Dramatic Swells: As the album progresses (especially on side two), the arrangements grow more powerful, showcasing the orchestra’s full potential.
If you’re a fan of Steve’s earlier classical-leaning work or you simply love orchestral rock fusions, Metamorpheus is a must-listen. It beautifully demonstrates how Hackett’s compositional range extends far beyond progressive rock.
3. Tribute
Finally, we come to Tribute—a 2015 album that Steve dedicated primarily to J.S. Bach, but which also features compositions from other classical composers like Byrd and Granados. It includes a couple of Hackett’s own originals as well. The vinyl reissue ties in nicely with the other releases, sharing the same photo of Steve on its inner sleeve, creating a sense of continuity.
Sue’s Classical Insight
My wife Sue joins me here because of her expertise with violin and classical repertoire. One of the standout tracks is Bach’s “Chaconne” (from the Partita in D minor for solo violin). Sue explains that the chord shapes and double stops in the violin version are famously challenging; on a guitar, however, the piece breathes in a more natural, dance-like way. Steve handles it with ease—no “sweating buckets” required!
Why It Matters
Hearing Bach performed on classical guitar by someone who typically blazes through progressive rock sets is a revelation. Steve’s approach is at once respectful of the source material and effortlessly fluid. For classical aficionados and newcomers alike, it’s an enchanting listen.
Reflecting on Steve Hackett’s Versatility
Reviewing these three releases back to back underscores just how accomplished Steve Hackett is as a guitarist and composer. Though he doesn’t always get the same flashy spotlight as other rock guitar legends, his depth and finesse—spanning electric, acoustic, and classical—really stand out.
From the delicate intricacies of Live Magic to the orchestral grandeur of Metamorpheus and the challenging classical repertoire of Tribute, Hackett proves that music truly speaks for itself.
Final Thoughts & Recommendations
Live Magic at The Trading Boundaries: Perfect if you want an intimate live experience with acoustic flair, subtle flute passages, and heartfelt vocals by Amanda Lehmann.
Metamorpheus: A cinematic masterpiece merging classical guitar with a chamber orchestra—ideal for contemplative listens or fans of orchestral rock fusion.
Tribute: A love letter to Bach and other classical composers, illustrating Hackett’s formidable technical skills on nylon-string guitar.
All three albums are available on CD and vinyl (with Live Magic also on digital).
Phil & Sue Aston | Now Spinning Magazine