Steve Hackett Launches Video for ‘Mdina (The Walled City)’, Second Track from New Acoustic Album “Under A Mediterranean Sky”

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Iconic guitarist Steve Hackett will release his new acoustic album “Under A Mediterranean Sky”  on 22nd January 2021 as a Limited CD Digipak, Gatefold 2LP + CD + LP-booklet and Digital Album via InsideOut Music. “Under A Mediterranean Sky” is Steve Hackett’s first acoustic solo album since “Tribute” in 2008 and takes inspiration from Steve’s extensive travels around the Mediterranean with his wife Jo.

Today he launches the second single, the epic “Mdina (The Walled City)”, and you can listen below.

Steve comments: “At the center of the Mediterranean, Malta has always been a crossroads, a battle ground and a cultural melting pot. Both it’s turmoil and its beauty are held within the ramparts of its walled city, Mdina, and celebrated in this track.”

Working closely with long-time musical partner Roger King, Hackett has used his time during 2020’s lockdown to take us on an extraordinary musical journey around the Mediterranean, painting vivid images of stunning landscapes and celebrating the diverse cultures of the region. Famed for his rock roots with Genesis, and through his extensive solo catalog, Hackett demonstrates the exquisite beauty of the nylon guitar at times venturing into the exotic ethnic and often supported by dazzling orchestral arrangements.

“A lot of acoustic ideas had been forming over the years, and it felt like the perfect time to create this album,” notes Hackett, “a time to contemplate the places we’ve visited around the Mediterranean with the kind of music which evolved from the world of imagination. Because we can’t really travel, substantially at the moment, I hope that the album will take people on that journey. Whether you sit down and listen to it or drift off to it with a glass of wine…

“Under A Mediterranean Sky” Album Artwork

“Under A Mediterranean Sky” Track Listing:

  1. Mdina – The Walled City
  2. Adriatic Blue
  3. Sirocco
  4. Joie de Vivre
  5. The Memory of Myth
  6. Scarlatti Sonata (Domenico Scarlatti)
  7. Casa del Fauno
  8. The Dervish and the Djin
  9. Lorato
  10. Andalusian Heart
  11. The Call of the Sea

Our journey around the Med begins on the island of Malta, in “Mdina – The Walled City”.  It’s imposing strength is portrayed by Roger King’s dramatic orchestration while Hackett’s guitar weaves through the atmospheric streets describing the creativity, love and strength that held Malta together between all the waves of conflict.

With Hackett’s delicate guitar work, “Adriatic Blue” paints an enchanting view of stunning scenery as tall cliffs of forested mountains plunge into the deep blue sea along the Croatian coastline. “Sirocco” is altogether more atmospheric, inspired by the winds playing through the imposing structures of Egypt.

The lively “Joie de Vivre” expresses the unique sense of joy the French have through their wine, food and folk music, with paintings reflecting family gatherings, spectacular vistas and the vibrant colors of their cities. The art of dreaming is embodied in their sensual love of life.

“At first hand, I’ve marveled at the mystical whirling Dervishes,” says Hackett.  Along with otherworldly beings such as the Djin (Genie) they sprang from Persia’s dreaming past. The Dervish And The Djin” captures the extraordinary atmosphere of this most exotic of civilizations with the help of Hackett’s touring band regular – Rob Townsend’s soprano sax, the tar of Malik Mansurov (from Azerbaijan) and Armenian Arsen Petrosyan’s duduk. “Of course, those countries are virtually at war with each other,” Hackett adds, “and there has been something like a thousand casualties (at the time of writing) on both sides. Again, it’s a case of music being able to do things that politicians fail to do – something constructive.”

“The Memory of Myth” embodies the deep and rich history of Greece and features the violin of Christine Townsend while Lorato” – ‘love’ in the language of the African Tswana tribe – is a pretty folk tune.  Love is the force that heals and links all disparate peoples of the Mediterranean.

Hackett and his wife Jo were enchanted by the little Faun statue in the House of the Faun, Pompeii. “The villas there seemed to come back to life as we walked through those wonderful atriums and gardens,” inspiring Casa del Fauno” and featuring the light and airy flute of Hackett’s brother John and Rob Townsend on flute.

The only non-original piece is Domenico Scarlatti’s Sonata. This embodies the Baroque music of Italy, a sensitive interpretation embellished with cross-string trills, a technique introduced to Hackett by the fine classical guitarist, the late Theo Cheng.

Hackett also expresses his admiration for the flamenco guitarists of Andalucía who are celebrated on Andalusian Heart”“One of the flamenco guitarists was showing me the extraordinary things they are able to do,” Hackett explains. “Seeing the gypsies playing and dancing in caves there, you get the feeling that these people are dancing for their lives.”

Our journey comes to an end with The Call Of The Sea”, a gentle and peaceful reflection of the vast body of water that unites the many civilizations both ancient and modern.

“I had a great time doing this album, seeing it take shape, and I’m very pleased with the outcome. I’m very proud of it,” says Hackett. “The nylon guitar has a very individual sound but, within the compass of what the nylon-strung guitar can do, there are a lot of different tones. You can do the full-on attack, the kind of salvo that you expect from the flamenco players but, at the same time, it can also be very gentle, gentle as a harp. It’s shades of black and white.  It’s also exciting to play alongside instruments from around the world, as well as a wide range of orchestral sounds.”

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