No segundo álbum de sua carreira solo, Please Don't Touch, Steve Hackett reafirma seu talento como compositor e arranjador, ao mesmo tempo em que explora uma ampla gama de estilos musicais. O disco não apenas evidencia a habilidade do guitarrista, mas também sua capacidade de reunir músicos talentosos e criar uma obra colaborativa, onde cada participante desempenha um papel essencial sem que ninguém assuma o protagonismo absoluto. Apesar de ser um trabalho menos coeso em comparação aos álbuns que o cercam, devido à diversidade de convidados e à exploração de diferentes sonoridades, Please Don't Touch permanece como um dos melhores trabalhos da discografia de Hackett.
A abertura do álbum, "Narnia", é uma homenagem ao universo criado por C. S. Lewis, mais especificamente ao livro O Leão, a Feiticeira e o Guarda-Roupa. Os vocais de Steve Walsh, suavizados em relação aos seus trabalhos com o Kansas, se encaixam perfeitamente na melodia conduzida pela guitarra acústica de Hackett. A faixa, embora bela, carece de solos ou versos adicionais, o que a torna um tanto contida. "Carry on up the Vicarage" é uma faixa peculiar, com uma introdução que lembra uma melodia infantil, seguida por uma mudança brusca para uma atmosfera sombria, além de vocais eletrônicos assustadores. A música, uma homenagem à "rainha do crime" Agatha Christie, evoca a sensação de ser trilha sonora de um filme infantil com toques macabros ao estilo de Tim Burton. Como curiosidade, o órgão utilizado na faixa foi destruído em um incêndio logo após as gravações.
"Racing in A", com a participação de Steve Walsh nos vocais, é uma música sobre a sensação de perder-se em um carro pelo país. Embora não seja uma das faixas mais memoráveis do álbum, ela revela uma faceta diferente de Hackett. Aqui, a voz de Walsh soa um pouco datada, mas a música ainda consegue mostrar outra dimensão do talento do guitarrista. "Kim", uma instrumental dedicada à artista brasileira, Kim Poor, esposa de Hackett na época, é uma melodia serena e quase silenciosa, conduzida por violão acústico e flauta. A faixa proporciona um breve momento de reflexão no álbum, destacando-se pela sua simplicidade e beleza.
A participação de Richie Havens em "How Can I?" é um dos pontos altos do disco. Havens, um dos poucos veteranos de Woodstock a participar de um álbum de rock progressivo, empresta sua voz rica e calorosa a esta canção introspectiva. A música, enriquecida por delicadas cordas, é uma reflexão sobre a vida e suas circunstâncias, talvez um desabafo de alguém sobrecarregado com o peso da existência. "Hoping Love Will Last" se destaca por sua atmosfera bluesy e as letras carregadas de emoção, interpretadas por Randy Crawford. Com uma instrumentação delicada, a faixa é um deleite auditivo, ainda que fuja do estilo progressivo que permeia o álbum. A variedade de estilos que Hackett consegue reunir em um único disco é impressionante.
"Land Of A Thousand Autumns" serve como um interlúdio para a faixa-título, "Please Don't Touch", que é introduzida por Hackett com uma recomendação no encarte: "para um efeito máximo, esta faixa deve ser ouvida no volume mais alto possível, com o máximo de agudos e graves. Não deve ser tocada para pessoas com condições cardíacas debilitadas ou em estado alucinógeno". Apesar do exagero, a faixa é uma peça sólida e impactante. "The Voice of Necam" é outra boa peça instrumental. Tem uma introdução de órgão que remete a filmes antigos. A passagem acústica, acompanhada por uma atmosfera rica em texturas é uma das mais belas do álbum. O álbum encerra com "Icarus Ascending", onde Richie Havens mais uma vez empresta sua voz maravilhosa, sobreposta por uma densa e atmosférica combinação de órgão e guitarra. A música cresce em intensidade até atingir um clímax emocionante.
Please Don't Touch foi um sucesso que mostrou Steve Hackett em muitos níveis, desde a capacidade de reunir artistas talentosos para criar uma obra diversificada, até seu próprio talento como compositor e músico. O álbum se destaca como uma peça envolvente e variada, evidenciando a versatilidade e genialidade de Hackett em sua carreira solo.
================================On his second solo album, Please Don't Touch, Steve Hackett reaffirms his talent as a composer and arranger while exploring a wide range of musical styles. The album not only highlights the guitarist's skill but also his ability to bring together talented musicians and create a collaborative work where each participant plays a crucial role without anyone assuming absolute prominence. Although it is a less cohesive work compared to the albums surrounding it due to the diversity of guest artists and exploration of different sounds, Please Don't Touch remains one of Hackett's best works.
The album opens with "Narnia", a tribute to the universe created by C. S. Lewis, specifically the book The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Steve Walsh's vocals, softened compared to his work with Kansas, fit perfectly with the melody led by Hackett's acoustic guitar. The track, while beautiful, lacks solos or additional verses, making it somewhat restrained. "Carry on Up the Vicarage" is a peculiar track with an introduction reminiscent of a children's melody, followed by a sharp shift to a dark atmosphere and eerie electronic vocals. The song, a tribute to the "queen of crime" Agatha Christie, evokes the feeling of being a soundtrack to a children's film with macabre Tim Burton-esque touches. Interestingly, the organ used on the track was destroyed in a fire shortly after the recordings.
"Racing in A", featuring Steve Walsh on vocals, is a song about the feeling of getting lost on the road. Although not one of the album's most memorable tracks, it reveals a different facet of Hackett. Here, Walsh's voice sounds a bit dated, but the song still manages to showcase another dimension of the guitarist's talent. "Kim", an instrumental dedicated to Brazilian artist Kim Poor, Hackett's wife at the time, is a serene and almost silent melody led by acoustic guitar and flute. The track provides a brief moment of reflection on the album, standing out for its simplicity and beauty.
Richie Havens' participation in "How Can I?" is one of the album's highlights. Havens, one of the few Woodstock veterans to appear on a progressive rock album, lends his rich and warm voice to this introspective song. The music, enriched by delicate strings, is a reflection on life and its circumstances, perhaps a venting from someone burdened by the weight of existence. "Hoping Love Will Last" stands out for its bluesy atmosphere and emotionally charged lyrics, performed by Randy Crawford. With delicate instrumentation, the track is an auditory delight, even though it deviates from the progressive style that pervades the album. The variety of styles Hackett manages to bring together in a single album is impressive.
"Land Of A Thousand Autumns" serves as an interlude for the title track, "Please Don't Touch", which is introduced by Hackett with a recommendation in the booklet: "For maximum effect, this track should be played at the highest volume possible, with the maximum amount of treble and bass. It should not be played for individuals with heart conditions or under hallucinogenic states." Despite the exaggeration, the track is a solid and impactful piece. "The Voice of Necam" is another good instrumental track. It has an organ introduction reminiscent of old films. The acoustic passage, accompanied by a richly textured atmosphere, is one of the most beautiful on the album. The album closes with "Icarus Ascending¨, where Richie Havens once again lends his wonderful voice, layered over a dense and atmospheric combination of organ and guitar. The song builds in intensity until reaching an emotional climax.
Please Don't Touch was a success that showcased Steve Hackett on many levels, from his ability to bring together talented artists to create a diverse work, to his own talent as a composer and musician. The album stands out as an engaging and varied piece, highlighting Hackett's versatility and genius in his solo career.
NOTA:8.5/10
Tracks Listing
1. Narnia (4:06)
2. Carry On Up the Vicarage (A Musical Tribute to Agatha Christie) (3:11)
3. Racing in A (5:07)
4. Kim (2:14)
5. How Can I? (4:40)
6. Hoping Love Will Last (4:09)
7. Land of a Thousand Autumns (1:57)
8. Please Don't Touch (3:39)
9. The Voice of NECAM (3:11)
10. Icarus Ascending (6:21)
Ouça, "Please Don't Touch"
On his second solo album, Please Don't Touch, Steve Hackett reaffirms his talent as a composer and arranger while exploring a wide range of musical styles. The album not only highlights the guitarist's skill but also his ability to bring together talented musicians and create a collaborative work where each participant plays a crucial role without anyone assuming absolute prominence. Although it is a less cohesive work compared to the albums surrounding it due to the diversity of guest artists and exploration of different sounds, Please Don't Touch remains one of Hackett's best works.
The album opens with "Narnia", a tribute to the universe created by C. S. Lewis, specifically the book The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Steve Walsh's vocals, softened compared to his work with Kansas, fit perfectly with the melody led by Hackett's acoustic guitar. The track, while beautiful, lacks solos or additional verses, making it somewhat restrained. "Carry on Up the Vicarage" is a peculiar track with an introduction reminiscent of a children's melody, followed by a sharp shift to a dark atmosphere and eerie electronic vocals. The song, a tribute to the "queen of crime" Agatha Christie, evokes the feeling of being a soundtrack to a children's film with macabre Tim Burton-esque touches. Interestingly, the organ used on the track was destroyed in a fire shortly after the recordings.
"Racing in A", featuring Steve Walsh on vocals, is a song about the feeling of getting lost on the road. Although not one of the album's most memorable tracks, it reveals a different facet of Hackett. Here, Walsh's voice sounds a bit dated, but the song still manages to showcase another dimension of the guitarist's talent. "Kim", an instrumental dedicated to Brazilian artist Kim Poor, Hackett's wife at the time, is a serene and almost silent melody led by acoustic guitar and flute. The track provides a brief moment of reflection on the album, standing out for its simplicity and beauty.
Richie Havens' participation in "How Can I?" is one of the album's highlights. Havens, one of the few Woodstock veterans to appear on a progressive rock album, lends his rich and warm voice to this introspective song. The music, enriched by delicate strings, is a reflection on life and its circumstances, perhaps a venting from someone burdened by the weight of existence. "Hoping Love Will Last" stands out for its bluesy atmosphere and emotionally charged lyrics, performed by Randy Crawford. With delicate instrumentation, the track is an auditory delight, even though it deviates from the progressive style that pervades the album. The variety of styles Hackett manages to bring together in a single album is impressive.
"Land Of A Thousand Autumns" serves as an interlude for the title track, "Please Don't Touch", which is introduced by Hackett with a recommendation in the booklet: "For maximum effect, this track should be played at the highest volume possible, with the maximum amount of treble and bass. It should not be played for individuals with heart conditions or under hallucinogenic states." Despite the exaggeration, the track is a solid and impactful piece. "The Voice of Necam" is another good instrumental track. It has an organ introduction reminiscent of old films. The acoustic passage, accompanied by a richly textured atmosphere, is one of the most beautiful on the album. The album closes with "Icarus Ascending¨, where Richie Havens once again lends his wonderful voice, layered over a dense and atmospheric combination of organ and guitar. The song builds in intensity until reaching an emotional climax.
Please Don't Touch was a success that showcased Steve Hackett on many levels, from his ability to bring together talented artists to create a diverse work, to his own talent as a composer and musician. The album stands out as an engaging and varied piece, highlighting Hackett's versatility and genius in his solo career.
NOTA:8.5/10
Tracks Listing
1. Narnia (4:06)
2. Carry On Up the Vicarage (A Musical Tribute to Agatha Christie) (3:11)
3. Racing in A (5:07)
4. Kim (2:14)
5. How Can I? (4:40)
6. Hoping Love Will Last (4:09)
7. Land of a Thousand Autumns (1:57)
8. Please Don't Touch (3:39)
9. The Voice of NECAM (3:11)
10. Icarus Ascending (6:21)
Ouça, "Please Don't Touch"
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