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On earth, as it is
“On Earth, As It Is” is the sixth album from multi-instrumentalist Duncan Parsons. Using The Lord's Prayer as a framework, the album explores themes of trust, anger, forgiveness, responsibility, temptation, and other elements of basic humanity via rock, folk, minimalism, jazz, and whatever else was lying about the studio.
Taking cues from across the progressive canon, from the existential themes of The Dark Side Of The Moon, through diverse instrumentation, to the rock/acoustic, long/short track album structure from Yes‘ Fragile and Jethro Tull’s Aqualung, "On Earth, As It Is" places itself in the heart of the progressive tradition.
Along with the familiar faces of John Hackett, Nick Fletcher, Kim Eames, and Ben Eckersley, "On Earth, As It Is" welcomes John Helliwell (Supertramp), Dave Bainbridge (Iona, Strawbs, Lifesigns), John Steel (The Daintees), Leland Sklar (well, everyone), and Lizz Lipscombe into its musical fold; each guest bringing something unique to the soundscape. This may be the first time that Helliwell and Sklar have appeared together on the same tune, and is almost certainly the first occurrence of spoons and washboard trading fours on a progressive recording!
Throughout the album one might catch glimpses of the likes of Supertramp, Bill Withers, Michael Nyman, Anthony Phillips, Alan Parsons (no relation!), Bruford/ UK, Pink Floyd, Gentle Giant...
The Cloud of Unknowing
‘‘The Cloud of Unknowing is in my opinion a master-work and is by a long way my album of the year so far!’ Stevie Iona-Vaughan (Progzilla Radio)
'Nick's fluency is outstanding..… I consider Nick Fletcher to be an absolute star’ … Steve Hackett 2020 The Cloud of Unknowing’ is an album of Progressive Rock music. Featuring Nick on Electric guitar. Nine original compositions which draw musical inspiration from the likes of Genesis, Focus, Pink Floyd, Allan Holdsworth and Dream Theater. The album has contributions from luminaries from the world of prog including Dave Bainbridge (Lifesigns, Celestial Fire, Iona, Strawbs) Tim Harries (ex Bill Bruford’s Earthworks) Caroline Bonnett and Russ Wilson (The Book of Genesis, Genesis Visible Touch and Number 1 Elton John Rocket Band). Plus Stuart Barbour contributing lead vocals on two tracks. Track List 1. Out of the Maelstrom 2. The Eyes of Persephone SCENES FROM THE SUBCONSCIOUS MIND (suite) 3. We Need to Leave This Place...Right Now! 4. Pandemonium 5. The Cloud of Unknowing Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 6. Awakening the Hydra 7. Dance of the Hydra 8. Arcadia 9. The Paradox Part 1 Part 2
Common Sense Dancing
“Common Sense Dancing” marks the fifth album release from Duncan Parsons. Titled after a quote from Clive James, the album continues progressive music's determination not to be defined. With themes taking in humour, nostalgia, the arts, and social science, it digs its own furrow with songs of love, dance, tribute, remembrance, and nonsense. Stylistically, there's rock, jazz, pop, folk, minimalism, sci-fi sound-scape - pretty much anything lying around the studio..
Packaged as a double album, the first disc contains 15 tracks of songs and instrumentals. Ladybird weaves a brief history of the children's books between 1948 and 1971; Play's Cool pays tribute to the golden age of British Children's Television; Green Cross Code, Man is the ultimate extrapolation of the social programming messages of 70s Public Information Films; Furry Leaves brings a fresh interpretation of a classic Romantic era piano piece; Family Entertainment bemoans standards in broadcast arts; and A Breakthrough In Sound tells the true story of when a TV signal was interrupted one teatime in Hampshire, 1977.
Disc two has a half hour 'radio play' about the history of Ordnance Survey maps based around a walk in the Peak District interspersed with music, followed by arrangements of the incidental music set for Mellotron. The atmosphere is pastoral, the tone reminiscent of Detectorists, and the terrain taken in its stride. NB - hills can go down as well as up.
Packed to the rafters with Mellotron sounds, including from less-than-common tapes, Common Sense Dancing sees the return of John Hackett's flute and Nick Fletcher's lead guitar work, along with stunning violin work from Clare Lindley (Stackridge, DLM) and Sarah Sharp (Tzarsi), and saxello from Mick Somerset (Floy Joy, Clock DVA).
Throughout the album one might catch glimpses of the likes of Supertramp, Nick Drake, 10cc, The Feeling, Bruford, Vangelis, Strawbs, Stackridge...
"Gentle, wistful and evocative with beautiful arrangements" Cherry Cant (widow of Brian Cant)
The Goldfinch
Beautiful new album from the John Hackett/Nick Fletcher flute and guitar duo. Features arrangements of music by J.S. Bach, Handel, Vivaldi and Scarlatti. The title is taken from the “The Goldfinch (Il Cardellino)” flute concerto by Vivaldi.
The cover painting is by Nick’s talented daughter Kathryn.Track list
Sonata in C major BWV 1033 J.S. Bach- Andante
- Allegro
- Adagio
- Menuett 1 Menuett 2 Menuett 1 Da Capo
- Larghetto
- Allegro
- Larghetto
- A tempo di Gavotti
- Allegro
- Allegro
- Cantabile
- Allegro
- Allegro Moderato
- Adagio
- Allegro
- Larghetto
- Allemande
- Corrente
- Sarabande
- Bourree Angloise
Credits:
Flute John Hackett Guitar Nick Fletcher Recording engineer John Hackett Produced by John Hackett and Nick Fletcher Cover painting by Kathryn Fletcher Album design Katrin Hackett Recorded at Hacktrax Sheffield U.K. Enquiries info@hacktrax.co.uk Catalogue number HTRX013
Cycles of Behaviour
Release date March 26th 2021 - Advance orders being taken
‘A fantastic album!..Nick Fletcher is probably the best jazz rock guitarist in the country. His fluency is astounding, plus he possesses a first rate classical guitar technique to boot! I find the combination of him working with my brother John is totally incendiary… I consider Nick Fletcher to be an absolute star’ …
Steve Hackett 2020
This album came about following the great press reaction to the recording with John Hackett - Beyond the Stars’ which was released on Esoteric records in 2018.‘Stellar soloing and strong songs’...Sid Smith - Prog Magazine,
Nick had been writing similar material and some new musical ideas that expanded on the ‘Beyond the Stars’ project, which posed a new direction and musical development. His music has a unique take on the genre which incorporates such diverse influences that range from Pink Floyd, Genesis, Camel, Bruford, Holdsworth, Ravel, Stravinsky, jazz fusion and the English choral composer Herbert Howells! It’s often powerful with wild virtuosic guitar playing and compositions which are full of emotional moments which pull the listener into an evocative sound world. The assembled band of Dave Bainbridge (Lifesigns, Downes Braide Association, Celestial Fire, Iona, Strawbs), Tim Harries (ex Bill Bruford’s Earthworks, Steeleye Span), Russ Wilson (Book of Genesis), John Hackett and Caroline Bonnet, who also co produced, mixed and mastered the album, make this an incredible listen and something unique in the world of progressive rock. [columns] [span4] Track List 1.Cycles of behaviour 2.Heat is rising 3.Hope in your eyes 4.Tyrant and knave 5.Desolation sound 6.Interconnected 7.Annexation 8.Philosopher kingRelease date March 26th 2021
Also available to download via Bandcamp: https://nickfletcher.bandcamp.com/releases [/span4][span8] [/span8][/columns]
was it for this…?
'—Was it for this
That one, the fairest of all Rivers, lov'd
To blend his murmurs with my Nurse's song,
And from his alder shades and rocky falls,
And from his fords and shallows, sent a voice
That flow'd along my dreams?'
William Wordsworth, The Prelude 1799
‘There can't be many of us who haven't at some point wondered what the sum total of our lives is going to be; all the good and poor choices, the happy and not-so-happy accidents, the healthy and toxic relationships, the influences that enrich or deplete.
I was very fortunate to have met Danny Chang (of The Kentish Spires) around 2004. He took me under his wing, opened his studio to my mad ideas, and suggested I do an album. It was recorded in Autumn/Winter 2006/07. Dan produced, John Fraser engineered and played some beautiful (at times brutal) piano. Then there was Ryan on drums, Colin on keys, Peter and Susie on harmonies. To be honest I was out of my depth, slightly unhinged and somewhat over-adrenalised, but I was managed with grace, kindness and pragmatism and I'll be eternally grateful for that.
For Will Wordsworth it started with the rushing of the river Derwent and the sweet simplicity of lullabies, surging towards the heady prospect of a new enlightenment in revolutionary France. My staging posts were mostly musical. From Salvation Army brass bands and choirs, to the tribal punk of Adam & The Ants, the jazz hands and Broadway babies of musical theatre and the sweeping possibilities of progressive music where sentiment can bleed beyond those three magic minutes. Here were songs about dying movie stars, parallel universes, off-kilter romance, Dad dancing, David Lynch and the von Trapp family. As Danny reassured me, I was never going to have to worry about my chart position...
So was it? For this, I mean. The answer can only ever be yes. For all of us. Only you can bring what you bring to the table. What you are and what has shaped you are unique to you, and the contribution you make is singular. What a wonderful gift. What a responsibility. What an opportunity.’
Jeremy, December 2020
Track Listing
1) Queen of the May 2) Sweet Liesl 3) Heaven Help Me Now I’m On My Own 4) Botox Baby 5) yellowleaf 6) A Polo Shirt In Yonkers 7) Cary Grant Is Dying 8) Necessary 9) Curtain Call 10) Hello, Disco 11) Live From The Cliff Face 12) It’s Not About Love 13) Sometime My Arms Bend Back 14) If I Bump Into Jesus
The Piper Plays His Tune
A completely solo project coming out of the UK Covid19 lockdown, where John Hackett writes, sings and plays all the parts himself.
Full Track List:
- Masters of my past
- Broken
- In love
- Crying Shame
- Broken Glass
- Julia
- Too late for dreamers
- Clown
- Loved by you
- There you go again
Beyond the Stars
Beyond the Stars sees John Hackett and Nick Fletcher on an epic journey through time and place, from wistful reminiscing about happier times to a vision of a dystopian future. The songs take you on a rollercoaster ride showcasing Nick's incredible virtuosity on the guitar alongside John’s trademark flute. Their writing partnership, first featured on the John Hackett Band album We Are Not Alone, goes from strength to strength and Beyond the Stars shows them to be a musical force to be reckoned with.
The duo are joined by drummer Wayne Proctor (King King) and six string bassist Simon Hall in what is a stellar recording of some highly original music, creating something unique in the progressive genre.
1. BEYOND THE STARS
2. A HORSE NAMED CADILLAC
3. A TIME IN PLACE
4. LEAVING IT ALL BEHIND
5. THE SPYGLASS
6. MIST ON THE LAKE
7. THE WAVES OF FAIR ISLE
8. SIGN OF THE TIMES
9. THAT SHIP HAS SAILED
We Are Not Alone
The 2017 studio album by The John Hackett Band - We Are Not Alone - offers a heady and eclectic mix of solid song-writing, swirling mellotron and on occasion, free improvisation.
Virtuosic flute and guitar performances are liberally littered throughout the memorable compositions.
John's brother, Steve Hackett, makes a special guest appearance on harmonica on the song Never Gonna Make A Dime, which tells the true story of the Hackett family's brief move to Canada in the Fifties.
Special double CD edition with bonus disc recorded live At The Classic Rock Society, 2016.
Full Track List:
Disc One: We Are Not Alone 1. Take control Parts 1 & 2 2. Never Gonna Make a Dime 3. Blue Skies of Marazion 4. Summer Lightning 5. Queenie and Elmo's Perfect Day 6. Castles 7. Ossian's Lament 8. Jericho 9. Winds of ChangeDisc Two: Another Live - Live at the Classic Rock Society 2016
1. Another Life 2. Look Up 3. Life in Reverse 4. Whispers 5. Castles 6. Burnt Down Trees 7. Queenie and Elmo's Perfect Day 8. Poison Town 9. Satellite 10. Ego and Id 11. Mr Magnolia 12. Libertango 13. Overnight Snow 14. Stella 15. Forest 16. Headlights 17. Dreantown 18. Magazine 19. Red Hair
Another Life
John Hackett’s long awaited new rock album and is the follow-up to the critically acclaimed Checking Out of London (released in 2005), featuring Steve Hackett, Anthony Phillips & Nick Magnus with lyrics by Nick Clabburn.