Search - Somewhere in South America: Live in Buenos Aires on DVD

It can't get any better !

Peter H. Kistemaker | Helmond, Noord Brabant Netherlands | 02/26/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Finally another DVD release from my favourite guitar player Steve Hackett.Luckaly in Dolby Surround which is a big improvement on his former release; the Tokio Tapes. This new album was recorded in Buenos Aires, Argentina in early 2002 with Roger King (keyboards), Gary O' Toole (drums, vocals), Terry Gregory (bass, vocals) and Rob Townsend (sax, flute) playing alongside Steve Hackett. Musically the whole double album is a trip throughout the whole of Hackett's solo career with references made to his Genesis past. Interesting to note is that he is still the sole member of the Genesis lineup to include their material in his repertoire.
So now for the concert. For starters one of the things that struck me from this album was the sheer energy that blares out of the speakers especially on tracks such as The Mechanical Bride or the following Medley which fuses solo, Genesis and GTR material (Myopia, Los Endos, Imagining, Ace Of Wands and Hackett To Bits). On the other hand we have the intense fillers between the more lengthy tracks such as Lucridus, Wall Of Knives and Pollution which see the band playing out at full force in a heavy fusion style. The tightness that is demonstrated is indeed impressive proving to most that this band really gelled together. Furthermore they act as the introduction to tracks rather than having Steve Hackett talking his way into a piece.This further contributes to the rather dark nature of the album, which comes on the back of Darktown allowing short musical interludes to pave the way for the longer and well-known pieces.
Something that has occurred to Steve Hackett over the years has been an inability to categorise the artist. Pieces like Satie's Gnossienne #1 and Walking Away from Rainbows shows the diversity with the acoustic guitar that he possesses and his classical leanings which have also become more prominent with his recent spate of acoustic concerts. Dramaticity is another feature of this double album. Serpentine Song with its delicate style, soaring harmonies and delicate flute is simply superb. The vocals are impressively good and it is a wonder why the band do not resort to vocals as often as one might expect them to. Sierra Quemada offers that nostalgic feeling with a taste of South America while In Memoriam stands out as one of the more moving pieces played here.
Fans can buy a box set version of the album complete with DVD (or in VHS) as well as the double audio CDs. The DVD also features bonus footage with interviews from the Italian tour the band made in 2000 as well as footage from the sound checks of that same tour. Though lacking in a variety of camera angles, the concert itself is superbly sounding, especially when heard in Dolby Surround and is a must for Steve Hackett fans. Hopefully Steve will decide to do a grand tour in Europe again."

Perfect Live Show

Peter H. Kistemaker | Helmond, Noord Brabant Netherlands | 09/29/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Fans of Steve Hackett have long been waiting for this release, a double live album together with DVD or VHS showing this guitarist in his element with a live electric band. These last few years there have many sides to the musical nature of Steve Hackett ranging from classical to an almost jazz-like approach to music. However, in all his performances and recordings he has never strayed away from his progressive rock style, which all fans of progressive rock have come to love and admire. Thus what should one expect from the audio recording? For starters one of the things that struck me from this album was the sheer energy that blares out of the speakers especially on tracks such as The Mechanical Bride or the following Medley which fuses solo, Genesis and GTR material (Myopia, Los Endos, Imagining, Ace Of Wands and Hackett To Bits). On the other hand we have the intense fillers between the more lengthy tracks such as Lucridus, Wall Of Knives and Pollution which see the band playing out at full force in a heavy fusion style. The tightness that is demonstrated is indeed impressive proving to most that this band really gelled together. Furthermore they act as the introduction to tracks rather than having Steve Hackett talking his way into a piece (a stark contrast to his acoustic sets!). This further contributes to the rather dark nature of the album, which comes on the back of the brooding Darktown allowing short musical interludes to pave the way for the longer and well-known pieces. Something that has occurred to Steve Hackett over the years has been an inability to categorise the artist, as critics and music aficionados so like to do. Pieces like Satie's Gnossienne #1 and Walking Away from Rainbows shows the dexterity with the acoustic guitar that he possesses and his classical leanings which have also become more prominent with his recent spate of acoustic concerts. Dramaticity is another feature of this double album. Serpentine Song with its delicate style, soaring harmonies and delicate flute is simply superb. The vocals are impressively good and it is a wonder why the band do not resort to vocals as often as one might expect them to. Sierra Quemada offers that nostalgic feeling with a taste of South America while In Memoriam stands out as one of the more moving pieces played here. The album has been released in conjunction with a VHS tape. Fans can also buy a box set version of the album complete with DVD as well as the double audio CDs. The DVD also features bonus footage with interviews from the Italian tour the band made in 2000 as well as footage from the sound checks of that same tour. Though lacking in a variety of camera angles, the concert itself is superbly sounding, especially when heard in Dolby Surround and is a must for Steve Hackett fans."

Hackett is the Master!

Russ Bellinger | Bradenton, Florida USA | 12/26/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What an excellent DVD! Hackett's show is powerful! Wonderfully performed songs from his whole career. One of the highlights for me was hearing and seeing him perform a couple of the tracks from Darktown, the title track and In Memorium - WOW! If you like Steve Hackett or Genesis or King Crimson or just progressive music in general then you must have this DVD. This is essential! This is some of the very best out there."

Steve Hackett is a Guitar God :) ..

H. Laser | Left Coast | 11/24/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This DVD verges on perfection, but fails very slightly in some of the camera angles, and the slightly soft nature of the photography. Still, it's a mind-blowing experience to watch, if you love the man and his music.

The concert is 90% instrumentals, which is fine, since Steve isn't known for his vocals, but rather as the creator of some of the most spine-tingling guitar work ever recorded, and you shouldn't be disappointed when you see him perform some of his stunning pieces that were part of longer Genesis tracks so many years ago..

Steve Hackett is simply one of the most underrated guitarists in rock music history. His utter mastery of his instruments is unquestionable. He's simply one of a handful of guitar virtuosos who have reached the pinnacle. His songwriting is not limited to any one particular genre, as he can deftly mix prog rock, classical, jazz, and fusion in the same concert.. an astoundingly talented guy..

He's accompanied by a band of four guys who appear to be much younger than him, and show absolute respect and adoration for his music.. Although the music is totally different, I can't but help draw a parallel to Brian Wilson's current backing band, who simply idolize him, and set out to do justice to their master's body of work at the same time. In the case of both of these bands, they succeed admirably, in their support of their respective legendary leadmen..

One thing I couldn't help but notice in th close-ups is that the band members, including Steve, seem to be having so much fun performing for an audience that is totally digging this fantastic music. Quick shots of the band members' faces reveal wide grins and smiles as they make eye contact. Hackett himself, (watch him playing his legendary solo from "Firth of Fifth") often breaks out into a wide smile.. he knows he's in his groove, and can sense the band is with him note for note in lockstep and feel the vibes from the audience.

That's a nice touch and shows a very human side to the man, something you don't see in a lot of concert DVDs.

His hands are all over those Fernandes Electrics, and it's amazing to watch him at work, as he feathers the whammy bar, bends the strings, tweaks the knobs, works his magic up and down the neck, even using the side of his hand occasionally for special effects.. I've never seen a guitarist so "at one" with his instrument.. as though he's not so much playing the guitar as making love to it :) ..

I'd give this DVD five stars except that I found the camera angles a bit strange at times.. I really wanted to see more of bassist Terry Gregory, who looks like he buys his clothing at JC Penny's, toeing the (what I assume are) thunderous Moog Taurus Bass Pedals, (or a modern clone of them..) .. but the only shots of him using them are from far behind him. Hackett too is fronted by a huge array of guitar effects pedals, and yet we're never allowed to see him manipulating them except in a few brief moments.

Still, despite some strange decisions in camera angles, the musicianship couldn't possibly be any better. This band is as tight and capable as any I've ever seen or heard. Close your eyes and you often think you ARE listening to Genesis. They know they're playing with a guitar god, and they are all extremely capable musicians in their own right. Whether it's just sheer talent, or thousands of rehersals, or a combination of both.. who cares. It's the end result that counts.

But it all boils down to the fact tht Steve Hackett is one class act. Every bit the master of the acoustic and electric guitar, with his own incredible techniques, as some of his perhaps more famous contemporaries like David Gilmour, he never stumbles, he looks like he's in total control and totally into it. I also would have liked to see a full version of "Ace of Wands", the signature song from his first solo album, in this concert, but alas, there's only a brief segment of that magnificently haunting piece worked into a medley..

This DVD is a keeper, and one that you'll watch over and over again, as the performances are flawless and the music is haunting, powerful, ethereal, and, as the kids say, totally awesome :) .."