Under a Mediterranean Sky

2021 studio album by Steve Hackett
Under a Mediterranean Sky
Studio album by
Steve Hackett
Released22 January 2021 (2021-01-22)
GenreInstrumental contemporary classical, Instrumental new flamenco
Length51:15
Label
  • Inside Out Music
  • Wolfwork
Producer
  • Steve Hackett
  • Roger King
Steve Hackett chronology
Selling England by the Pound & Spectral Mornings: Live at Hammersmith
(2020) 		Under a Mediterranean Sky
(2021) 		Surrender of Silence
(2021)

Under a Mediterranean Sky is the 26th studio album by English guitarist and songwriter Steve Hackett. It was released on 22 January 2021 on Inside Out Music and is his first acoustic and entirely instrumental album since Tribute (2008).

Background

Under a Mediterranean Sky is Hackett's first acoustic album since Tribute (2008), which saw him pay homage to various composers. The album originated in March 2020, when his North American tour was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw him return to England without his electric guitars. The situation left Hackett at home with just his acoustic instruments, including his nylon guitar, and the opportunity to work on a new acoustic project.[1] Hackett had discussions with his label, Inside Out Music, regarding if his next studio album can be acoustic or rock-oriented, and both ideas were green-lit, so he thought the time was right to do an acoustic album.[2] Around this time, Hackett and his longtime producer and keyboardist Roger King decided to upgrade their software and purchase new orchestral samples.[3] A series of videos were shot while Hackett and his wife Jo were visiting the places depicted on the album, including footage from Jo herself and from Paul Gosling.[1]

Release

The album was released on 22 January 2021.[3] It is available in a limited edition CD digipak, a 2 LP and single CD set with a booklet, and on digital platforms.[1]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Prog Radio[4]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Mdina (The Walled City)"
  • Steve Hackett
  • Roger King
8:45
2."Adriatic Blue"S. Hackett4:51
3."Sirocco"
  • S. Hackett
  • Jo Hackett
  • King
5:13
4."Joie de Vivre"
  • S. Hackett
  • J. Hackett
3:42
5."The Memory of Myth"
  • S. Hackett
  • J. Hackett
  • King
3:29
6."Scarlatti Sonata"Domenico Scarlatti3:40
7."Casa del Fauno"
  • S. Hackett
  • King
3:51
8."The Dervish and The Djin"
  • S. Hackett
  • J. Hackett
  • King
4:57
9."Lorato"S. Hackett2:29
10."Andalusian Heart"
  • S. Hackett
  • J. Hackett
  • King
5:34
11."The Call of the Sea"S. Hackett4:44
Total length:51:15

Personnel

Music

  • Steve Hackett – nylon guitar, steel guitar, 12-string guitar, charango, Iraqi oud
  • Roger King – keyboards, programming, orchestral arrangements
  • John Hackett – flute on "Casa del Fauno"
  • Rob Townsend – flute on "Casa del Fauno", soprano saxophone on "The Dervish and The Djin"
  • Franck Avril – oboe on "Andalusian Heart"
  • Malik Mansurov – tar on "Sirocco" and "The Dervish and The Djin"
  • Arsen Petrosyan – duduk on "The Dervish and The Djin"
  • Christine Townsend – violin and viola on "The Memory of Myth" and "Andalusian Heart"

Production

  • Steve Hackett – production
  • Roger King – production, mixing at Siren

Charts

Chart performance for Under a Mediterranean Sky
Chart (2021) Peak
position
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[5] 89
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[6] 14
Scottish Albums (OCC)[7] 9
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[8] 20
UK Albums (OCC)[9] 52

References

  1. ^ a b c Ford, Geoff (19 January 2021). "Steve Hackett – Under a Mediterranean Sky". The Progressive Aspect. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  2. ^ Todd, Laurence (23 December 2020). "Steve Hackett – The Sky's the Limit..." RAMzine. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  3. ^ a b Derrough, Leslie Michele (12 January 2021). "Guitar Legend Steve Hackett Talks New Acoustic LP, Sets Tapping Technique Straight & How Lennon Loved Genesis (Interview)". Glide. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  4. ^ The Prog Yak (22 January 2021). "Prog Radio Album Review: Steve Hackett - Under A Mediterranean Sky".
  5. ^ "Ultratop.be – Steve Hackett – Under a Mediterranean Sky" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  6. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Steve Hackett – Under a Mediterranean Sky" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  7. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  8. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Steve Hackett – Under a Mediterranean Sky". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  9. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
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