Al Di Meola Performance at Experience PRS 2008

[chitlinray]

man that is amazing al grew hair!

[teleman1280]

I never used to like this guy and it's not the kind of music I.m into but man he is incredible. I m certain system of a down would appreciate it,,,!

[slimturnpike]

sounds like di meola has been listening to ribot

[schwoazi]

Somewhere I read that Al ended the return to forever reunion because he thinks that he's getting not enough money.

Is that true?

I can't find any information about this anymore but I think I read it in wikipedia.

What do you (all) know about that?

[raydan18]

Al is the master magician of guitar...

[bobgee1999]

I can't stand jazz. I think it is pretentious, discordant nonsense. Which is not to take anything away from Al Di Meola's ability to play. I simply don't like jazz. Knocking Carlos Santana is absurd, though; his music may be more accessible (it certainly is to me) but that doesn't make it less skillful. See, that's all part of jazz snobbery -- play something wonky, and if somebody says it's wonky, man they are just unhep. Yeah, maybe. Or maybe it's wonky.

[ikedaspike77]

@bobgee1999 jazz SOUNDS wonky, but its the hardest shit to comprehend theory wise and playing wise. so dont diss jazz. even if u dont like it.

[TheAlbermarleSound]

@bobgee1999 The jazz you think sounds "wonky", sounds that way because it takes the progression a pop song goes through in three minutes and slams it into ten seconds. Some people don't appreciate it, but to others it is the pinnacle of creativity and mastery of an instrument.

[maru3194]

@bobgee1999 the answer of a simpleton, I assume that based on your "enlightened" opinion any intelligent human endeavor that is out of your comfort zone must be the target of your hatred. I do not even expect you to understand what I am talking about or the musical-historical aspects of how jazz came to be. When I read comments like yours I understand why Bush was elected by people like you.

[eddieisfiction]

@bobgee1999 just because you dont have the music theory knowledge to do this, doesnt mean its pretentious... most people think people or things are pretentious because they don't understand it, and/or can't make knowledgable sense of it. Believe it or not... hes using pretty standard jazz theory on this, and pretty standard fusion solos...its his phrasing (timing of the notes) that are key in Al Dimeola's style.

[GuillermoSmyser]

@JacqueShredo yeah, him Eric Johnson and John Myung (bassist for Dream Theater)

[deadzior]

i just love everything from Al, and this is amazing, he is still getting better and you can feel his great style

[MrUrech]

haha! that cool a little captain senor mouse appearance

[simonprs]

Mike pope on Bass - Amazing! Nice one Mike!

[simonprs]

Great guitar and Al's sound is better than ever. Check out 'Speak a Volcano' and Return to forever on Blu ray! Amazing!

[kewl2006]

ah what there's a rtf reunion DVD?!?!!?

[raydan18]

i think he is immortal..there can be only Al:)

[emgzwset]

No offense to Al D fans but i like him more playing with acoustic guitars than electrics.. :D

[azharkamal]

great playing al. one ugly as sin guitar though.

[majordilligaf]

how can you hate the look of the prism guitar its fucking sick

[777RAD777]

i think the prism looks awesome.

[fuckphill]

what a let down guess i shouldn't watch shawn lane videos first

[kuesapa]

fuckin awesome

[GreenHotChilis]

Within the first minute Meola and his band are playing very simple, but then he just plays the devil out of his beatiful PRS Signature.

Hearing Al Di Meola also reminds of what could Carlos Santana sound like today if he had just keep innovating his technique instead of doing the same (good sounding!) style since the late 60s ;-)

[theonlybyrone]

Yeah, it's a real shame that Carlos kept playing from his heart, instead of becoming so cerebral and focused on technique that his songs had no real soul anymore. Damn shame. Notice that Al and his band never really close their eyes and get lost in the groove. It's a shame that Carlos and his band have been doing that every night that they play for decades. It's just sad.

[crossfireduluth]

I've been lucky enough to see Al live a half dozen times, and he is a Master Jedi of stunning virtuousity. There are a lot of Al Di compositions that are loaded with highly charged emotion. He is the complete package and then some, by far my number one most inspiring guitarist.

[wdigitog]

oh yea, Oya como va is a real deep composition! Does that sound better when played with your eyes closed?

[theonlybyrone]

Actually, I believe it IS a very deep composition. Many millions of other people on this planet happen to think so, too. You can look down your nose all you want. I hope all the technically impressive music that you are attracted to brings you profound joy. I really do. Best of luck to you, brother.

[wdigitog]

No offense, but you're comparing pop music to jazz/rock fusion! Santana is and always was more mainstream! I actually saw him in Fillmore West when I was 20 and he was just starting! He is a pop guy and DiMeola is in a group of musicians that fewer people are aware of. That does not make him a lesser musician! To say just because you "feel" Carlos is playing "from his heart" he is a better musician is ludicrous! Open your heart, bro!

[theonlybyrone]

I'd appreciate it if you didn't put words in my mouth. I never said one was a better musician than the other. I am simply pointing out the differences. I have enormous respect for purely technical musicians. I will not, however, say that they play with as much soul as someone like Carlos. They do not. I prefer Carlos to Al because he plays more from his heart than Al does. Al has to think too much about what he is playing to relax and play from his heart the way Carlos does. That's all.

[MrUrech]

i've got to be one of the biggest Dimmey fans but you know you just might be right on that one.. knowck on wood hail mary hail mary all prais e lord Al sorry Dimmey

[theonlybyrone]

Haha! Don't be apologize for your feelings. Embrace it! Feel no shame brother!

[eddieisfiction]

@theonlybyrone thats a dumb comment... you just think he plays more from his heart becuase of the sustain he uses in his notes... Its supposed to give that uplifting feeling. Ridiculous

[maru3194]

It dose not make any musical sense to assume that you "progress" into this music. Di Meola has been playing this type of jazz for decades, and it takes great virtuosity to play at this level. It is childish and a waste of time to compare Al with Carlos. Different music, different styles, different levels.

[wfenio]

@GreenHotChilis I actually agree with you in a way. I always thought Carlos Sntana was a brilliant player in terms of melody and soul.... absolute genius (Samba Pa ti, Europa, etc.) But i did notice that he hit a certain plateau with his technique long ago and he has never really tried to break through it to the next level. I think he could have gone alot further had he been more disciplined with metronome work on scale & arpeggio exercises. I am not putting Carlos down though. he's great!

[3shiftgtr]

premier guitar is the coolest guitar mag on the planet, dammit.

[shazlig]

Wow. That was amazing. Beautiful technique

[cyberboy419]

whats the name of song?

[fabio73]

Senior Mouse. I like the new version on "Flesh on "Flesh" better than the orignal.

The original was the on the 1978 album Casino and then 2002's Flesh on Flesh. A very good jam band named Umphrey's Mcgee covers it too.

[kewl2006]

Actually the first original was on Return To Forever/Chick Corea album "Hymn Of The Seventh Galaxy," only the name of the song was "Captain Senor Mouse." It came out a year before Al joined RTF. It's cool actually 'cause Al has covered many an RTF tune during his solo career, like this one, Song To The Pharaoh Kings, and Theme To The Mothership.