Search - GTR :: Greatest Hits Live

An alternative version of their studio album, basically

R. Josef | New Haven, CT United States | 12/14/2006

(2 out of 5 stars)

"GTR was a one shot group featuring guitarists Steve Howe and Steve Hackett. This CD is a recording of a show on their tour, orignally released as "King Biscuit Flower Hour Live" and now given a dopey new title. After all, with only one studio album and one Top 40 single to their credit, how could this be a "Greatest Hits Live?"



How you feel about this album depends on how you feel about the studio album. A lot of prog fans were dismayed by the group's overeliance on standard 80's hard rock/heavy metal guitar tones (especially from Steve Ha. -- check out "Hackett to Bits"); underwritten songs with lyrics that were sketchy ("Imagining", "When the Heart Rules the Mind") or cliched ("Jekyll and Hyde", "Reach Out", "You Can Still Get Through"); and the shrill, Dennis DeYoung-esque vocals of lead singer Max Bacon.



All but one of the songs from the studio album are included here. Unfortunately, they left out one of the better ones (the nice ballad "Toe the Line") and replaced it with a previously unreleased mediocrity, "Prizefighters". The group fares much better when Howe and Hackett reach back into their pasts. Howe, surprisingly, delivers a fine, Yes-like rocker called "Pennants" (from "The Steve Howe Album"), while Hackett performs the ethereal title track from his "Spectral Mornings" album. Of course, they also give us the biggest hits from their old bands -- Yes's "Roundabout" and Genesis's "I Know What I Like." Amazingly, Bacon sounds a lot better singing these songs than he does GTR's orignals. Of the latter, the best are Howe's solo "Sketches in the Sun" (still part of his live repetoire) and their aforementioned hit single, "When The Heart Rules the Mind", with some interesting guitar interplay and a catchy melody.



The live sound quality is excellent -- very clear audio. The songs, arguably, sound better than the studio versions, without Geoff Downes's echoey, Asia-type production. Since the studio album has gone out of print again and is now sporting collector or Japanese import prices, this is a much more economical way of getting this music. But although there are a few nuggets here for Howe and Hackett fans, most folks would be better off searching for their better works with Yes, Genesis or solo rather than settle for this rather dated 80's affair."

Grade C+

Eric J. Weik | Dyersburg, TN | 12/17/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"GTR debut cd, GTR, was a great cd, that showcased the musical powers of axemen, Steve Howe (Yes/Asia) and Steve Hackett (Genesis). But to me frontman vocalist Max Bacon, steals the show. While both Steve's can play a mean solo, Max can sing around them, and keep going. Just about the whole GTR cd is here, so are some Yes, and Genesis songs. But has much as like the songs, for the most part, the players, seem to be walking thru there parts. Instead of working their butts off, beacause there are some great songs on this cd."

Outstanding Live Disc!

D. L. Worthing | Arundel, Maine United States | 07/09/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Steve Howe and Steve Hackett short-lived supergroup "GTR" released one disc and this live King Biscuit Flower Hour performance in the summer of 1986.
The former Yes and Genesis axeman perform along side lead vocalist Max Bacon, bass player Phil Spalding and drummer John Mover. The newly formed band play well together.
They cover most of the tracks from their sole studio release "GTR", including the radio hit "When the Heart Rules the Mind". Hackett and Howe each take turns playing solo tracks from their solo work; Howe doing "Pennants" and Hackett doing "Spectural Mornings".
They also cover songs from their former bands; Genesis' "I Know What I Like" and Yes' "Roundabout". Both well done as with all their guitar work on this CD.
Although briefly together they left their mark with this disc."