Under a Mediterranean Sky

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.{{cite web|url=https://theprogressiveaspect.net/blog/2021/01/19/steve-hackett-under-a-mediterranean-sky/|title=Steve Hackett – Under a Mediterranean Sky|first=Geoff|last=Ford|date=19 January 2021|publisher=The Progressive Aspect|access-date=23 January 2021}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://ramzine.co.uk/interviews/steve-hackett-the-skys-the-limit/|title=Steve Hackett – The Sky’s the Limit...|first=Laurence|last=Todd|date=23 December 2020|access-date=23 January 2021|publisher=RAMzine}} Around this time, Hackett and his longtime producer and keyboardist Roger King decided to upgrade their software and purchase new orchestral samples.{{cite web|url=https://glidemagazine.com/252320/guitar-legend-steve-hackett-talks-new-acoustic-lp-sets-tapping-technique-straight-how-lennon-loved-genesis-interview/|title=Guitar Legend Steve Hackett Talks New Acoustic LP, Sets Tapping Technique Straight & How Lennon Loved Genesis (Interview)|first=Leslie Michele|last=Derrough|date=12 January 2021|work=Glide|access-date=23 January 2021}}

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.

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

{{Album ratings

| rev1 = [https://www.progradio.com Prog Radio]

| rev1score = {{rating|3|5}}{{cite web |last=The Prog Yak |title=Prog Radio Album Review: Steve Hackett - Under A Mediterranean Sky |url=https://www.progradio.com/reviews/Under-A-Mediterranean-Sky |date=22 January 2021}}

}}

{{Track listing

| title1 = Mdina (The Walled City)

| writer1 = {{hlist|Steve Hackett|Roger King}}

| length1 = 8:45

| title2 = Adriatic Blue

| writer2 = S. Hackett

| length2 = 4:51

| title3 = Sirocco

| writer3 = {{hlist|S. Hackett|Jo Hackett|King}}

| length3 = 5:13

| title4 = Joie de Vivre

| writer4 = {{hlist|S. Hackett|J. Hackett}}

| length4 = 3:42

| title5 = The Memory of Myth

| writer5 = {{hlist|S. Hackett|J. Hackett|King}}

| length5 = 3:29

| title6 = Scarlatti Sonata

| writer6 = Domenico Scarlatti

| length6 = 3:40

| title7 = Casa del Fauno

| writer7 = {{hlist|S. Hackett|King}}

| length7 = 3:51

| title8 = The Dervish and The Djin

| writer8 = {{hlist|S. Hackett|J. Hackett|King}}

| length8 = 4:57

| title9 = Lorato

| writer9 = S. Hackett

| length9 = 2:29

| title10 = Andalusian Heart

| writer10 = {{hlist|S. Hackett|J. Hackett|King}}

| length10 = 5:34

| title11 = The Call of the Sea

| writer11 = S. Hackett

| length11 = 4:44

| total_length = 51:15

}}

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

{{Reflist}}

{{Steve Hackett}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2021 albums

Category:Steve Hackett albums

Category:Inside Out Music albums