John Hackett
The Piper Plays His Tune
(Hacktrax)
8/10
By Decibel Report

Anybody who has seen the impressive John Hackett Band out on the road will already be initiated into the quality output produced by this seasoned musician.

Known to many as a flautist of some high note, on this sonically sublime recording he plays all the instruments, sings all the vocals and, if this wasn’t enough, produces and mixes this aptly titled album as well.

The results of all of his Herculean labours take form in songs that insinuate their deft charms from opening song Masters Of My Past to closer There You Go Again. Evoking twilit sleepless moments, Broken finds misty synths seeping through the speakers before an airy guitar and vocal motif that rises into a flight of flute notes coming over all Moody Blues. In Love catches the ear with its hooky keyboard, guitar riffs, and changes of tempo; thus proving that arrangement is another part of John’s skill set.

Playing with his older brother Steve has clearly rubbed off to good effect with some nifty lead guitar by brother John on Crying Shame. And his more than decent voice shines brightly on Broken Glass contrasting with no little beauty against wave after wave of mellotron.

There’s even a dash of wistful psychedelia on Julia including a bass solo as the Too Late Dreamers also drifts airily back to seemingly simpler times

It’s an album where familiar family influences make the occasional light appearance such as the melody and guitar tones on Clown and the faux strings on Loved By You all adding to the charm of this made-at-home piece of musical treasure.

The interlude of harpsichord, flute, and acoustics blending in with entrancing electric instrumentation on There You Go Again beautifully betrays John Hackett’s classical training, proving him to be a man for all seasons on this surprisingly excellent one-man-band release.