SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: DJABE & STEVE HACKETT – LIVE IN GYOR

Djabe &Steve Hackett
Live In Gyor
Cherry Red Records

This is a very interesting and perhaps perceived as an odd release. Djabe has made its name as a top notch jazz band from Hungary and Steve Hackett, of course, is famous as the guitarist for Genesis. In some ways, this seems to be an odd pairing, but really it is not, given Hackett’s foray into jazz as a solo artist. But to be honest, this live album should not be unexpected. Hackett had recorded an album with Djabe in 2021 (The Journey Continues), but his work with the band goes back as far as 2009 when he worked with Djabe and appeared on Sipi Emlékkoncert / Sipi Benefit Concert. Since then they have worked together on seven albums.

Live in Gyor is a lengthy two-CD, one Blu-ray set. Most of the music on it comes from The Journey Continues and Life is a Journey: The Sardinia Tapes by Djabe and Steve Hackett, but there are some surprises for Genesis fans. During the concert, the artists performed “Hairless Heart”, “Firth of Fifth”, “In That Quiet Earth” and ”‘Los Endos”  from the Genesis catalogue.

This is where it gets very interesting. “Firth Of Fifth ” (from Selling England By The Pound), for example, is really just Hackett’s guitar solo from that song,  and as such, the nine-mins plus song becomes just shy of four minutes. “Hairless Heart” from Lamb Lies Down On Broadway is much more faithful to the original and sounds great live with Djabe supporting Hackett. “Los Endos” from Trick Of The Tail is actually the most adventurous take on a Genesis song on this collection. The use of horns and the arrangement is absolutely beautiful.

Overall, the music captured live is simply outstanding. At times, it is hard to believe that one is listening to a live recording. Djabe is a tight unit and their form of jazz leans more to prog rock than traditional or modern jazz. “Last Train To Istanbul ”, for example, is a brilliant piece of music mixing middle eastern sounds with rock and jazz, and it all works. They even take a turn at a solo Hackett song, “The Steppes”, from his classic solo album The Defector. Again, here Djabe adds their own flair to the song, and the end result is not better than the original but it is certainly its own entity. It sounds fantastic. Again, the use of horns gives it a different feel all together.

Other songs are originals by Djabe, such as the opening song, “Searching For The Stag” and”  “The Power Of Wings”. For the most part, however, the set is made up of songs that Djabe and Hackett have collaborated on in the studio and on stage. Hackett seems to be in his element playing with Djabe and the two work together extremely well.

Fans will enjoy the additional Blu-ray of the concert, and it sounds and looks beautiful. There was a lot of care taken in this package/set and it shows. The concert, visually and in audio form, was beautifully recorded and it sounds fantastic. Hackett and Djabe performed several concerts in 2022, this live album is the Aug. 21, 2022 show. This is an album that may seem difficult, but listening to it is a very rewarding experience.

Djabe Links

Steve Hackett Links