A Mediterranean Multiverse - November 2020

Steve on chirango
Photo © Jo Hackett

My new album Under A Mediterranean Sky is as personal as it gets for me. There's no rock 'n roll, no vocals or soaring electric guitar. But my nylon guitar is joined by many other acoustic instruments and orchestral sounds, on an imaginary journey through the many regions that surround that vast area of sea and sky, with its spellbinding mysteries, heat and romance.

I've shared some of the writing with my wife Jo, who often comes up with great top lines. Roger, with his extraordinarily varied orchestrations pulls the whole thing together with deft strokes...

I'm thrilled with the ensemble of fantastic musicians. Franck Avril on oboe, Christine Townsend on violin and viola and my brother John on flute add to the colour of the orchestral arrangements, whilst Arsen Petrosyan on duduk and Malik Mansurov on tar, along with my playing on Chirango and Arabian lute, venture into the heart of the Middle East. The ever versatile Rob Townsend on flute and soprano sax straddles several musical dimensions like the Colossus of Rhodes.

More will be revealed soon as we roll out that magic carpet flying up to the album's release. Journey with me to visit this multi-cultural musical dream Under A Mediterranean Sky...

Steve with Roger whilst recording the album
Photo © Jo Hackett

Christine Townsend on viola
Photo © Jo Hackett

Arsen Petrosyan on duduk

Malik Mansurov on tar

Franck Avril on oboe