STEVE HACKETT’S EXOTIC POSTCARD
Virtuoso guitarist returns with his first acoustic solo album in 12 years.
Steve Hackett is taking listeners on a journey with his new instrumental album, Under A Mediterranean Sky, which is released on January 22 via InsideOut.
The inspiration for the former Genesis guitarist’s first acoustic album since 2008 came from travels Hackett and his wife Jo have enjoyed in the region. It’s a melting pot of far-flung influence, nodding to music from countries such as Malta, France, Egypt and Greece, and it sees Hackett whip out the nylon, steel string and 12-string guitars, as well as an Iraqi oud.
“I love making things that sound more classical – classical influences, flamenco influences, orchestral influences,” he says. “Sometimes it’s nice not to sing, and just pick up the axe. I love wrestling with music in all its forms.”
He hopes to give listeners a musical journey at a time when travel has been restricted. “We have travelled to so many places in the Mediterranean,” he explains. “The region is rich in different cultures. The album is a travelogue, it’s a musical diary perhaps. I had a blast doing it.”
He’s joined on the record by a handful of guests, including co-writer Roger King, who provides keyboards and orchestral arrangements, Malik Mansurov from Azerbaijan and Armenian musician Arsen Petrosyan.
Also present is brother John Hackett, with Rob Townsend on flute and saxophone, while violin tracks come comes courtesy of Christine Townsend.
For more, visit www.hackettsongs.com. CC