Added: 4 years ago
From: gumbiOrtiz
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  • I love Al's music. Been a Santana fan all my life, but Di Meola was a good bridge for me into the world of fusion music. For somebody's who's known for his jazz chops, he has some really great rock and Latin sensibilities. He really opened doors for me.

  • So beautiful !!!!

  • I was turned onto Al back in the late '70's. It was his solo album Land of the Midnight Sun, and also his brilliance with Return to Forever. Almost immediately he became my favorite guitar player. Today he still remains so!!! Thanx for this amazing post!!!

  • PARA MI ENTENDER ESTA GENTE YA HA PERDIDO EL NORTE,REALMENTE SE CREEN TAN BUENOS MUSICOS QUE PIENSAN QUE PUEDEN SUBIR A UN ESCENARIO A EMITIR TODOS ESTOS SONIDOS HORRIBLES SIN NINGUN ORDEN NI MELODIA NI ESTRUCTURA....PATETICO!!PARECE COOL DECIR ''ESTA GENTE NO TOCA EN EL RITMO PQ SON MUSICOS DE JAZZ''...MENTIRA,TODO CON TAL DE NO ROMPERTE LA CABEZA ESTUDIANDO ESCALAS Y PATRONES.SEÑOR AL DI MEOLA,HAY 1000000000000000000 DE GUITaRRISTAS MUCHO MEJORES QUE UD

  • he might be great but his music is booooooring

  • @tosantosmetal in fact jazz i boring altogether. Just a leading theme and then a huge impro. Though some ppl find it entertaining :D

  • @eMKayJR Not just some, but many.

  • @tosantosmetal "might be"?...Dimeola IS great. This song is on the "Kiss My Axe" album. Listen to that a few times (with earphones) and it WILL blow your mind. Don't judge an artist by a crappy compressed video...plus it's live, which, in this case, is a bit drawn out/inferior to the studio version of the arrangement.

  • the most interesring thing is how Al mix anything with his beloved salsa. I'm sure that he could play Bach or Chopin and it wouldn't be waltz or march anymore but most powerful salsa. It's whole life to rich that level of subconscious devotion to any style. Very similar is bond between Eric Clapton and blues. I can listen to his music all the time

  • Excelente Guitarra!!!....Excelente Guitarrista!!!

  • There's so many levels to music that the only thing that limits a musician is himself. I've played drums since 9th grade and picked up a guitar about ten years later. I can make some people dance and sing with some blues and rock.

    Give me another fifty years, I'll put everybody in a better world, just like Mr. Di Meola.

    Nothing to fight about. Just do it.

    Peace.

  • Working out keeps his chops on point.. Excellent

  • been there!!

  • @tourkalvanosporos Guitarists play music, therefore guitarists are musicians.

    Next.

  • @tpl2000 there is a big difference between a guitar player and a musician.

  • @elliott0 Denotation-wise? No, there isn't.

    Maybe in how people use the word, or connotation-wise.

  • cool : )

  • Thank You for posting this!

  • I shook his hand on a show. Now i play better guitar.

  • Guys enough with the politics, and Al should perform in israel, so much of his music comes from the middle east and at least israels more secure then say afghanistan. Anyway, whoever said the U.S. has any level of security along the borders is misinformed. We currently can't stop anyone from entering the country whenever they please.

  • @Blueindiefree Would you have approved for Al Di Meola or any other musician to perform in aparthide South Africa when many many musicians took a moral stand and refused to perform there?

  • Mike Pope! 

  • I think Al is a fantastic talented musician. His music is very harmonic and at times it is hard to follow. The best music he has to me are the ones that are more melodic. I have seen him twice in concert.

  • i went and watched this guy in byron. he is amazing

  • solid, but the prs doesn't fit the bill where the big gibson should be.

  • god

  • This is absolutly beautiful. His music is for the soul. I discovered his playing in 84 when I went an Ovation clinic he did in Wash St, and was completly amazed by his playing.

  • Eventhough I love Al's music, I wish he never performed in Israel. None of these musicians would have performed in South Africa during apartide, so why are they performing in Israel? Israels occupation of Palestine is worse than the apartide system blacks lived under. Desmond Tutu himself said this.

  • @basim2 Keep your political misinformation of this page please. Not only are you wrong about the palestinians but this is supposed to be about the love of music. If you wanna talk politics go watch some of your pro-palestinian videos a plenty here on youtube and comment there with your lies about israel. You will be in good company. There are plenty who will enjoy verbally bashing the one free democratic country in the middle east with you.

  • @QTGbass

    What am I misinformed about, the fact that the Palestinians are being oppressed, their land being stolen from them on a day to day basis, their resourses being stolen from them while settlers enjoy swimming pools full of water, their homes being blown up, being denied entry to Jerusalem which is their right, continued settlement expansions, while Israel continues to thumb their nose at the US and International communities and gets away with impunity.

  • @basim2 What in the hell does all of what you wrote have to do with Al DiMeolo's performance? Go find another place to write your politics please!

  • @Chromatype

    Israeli activitists are urging musicians not to perform in Israel

  • @Chromatype Many musicians like Carlos Santana have cancelled performing in Israel. Israel os trying to rebrand itself as an enlightened, cultural country while continuing to dispossess Palestinians. Any musician who choses to perform in Israel is basically saying it is ok what those zionist racists are doing.

  • @QTGbass Or how about the continued blockade of Gaza and the killing of the innocent people on board the flotilla in INTERNATIONAL WATERS. People such as Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela have said that the occupation that the Palestinians live under is worse then the apartide system they lived under. Please also do not think that we are fools in thinking that Israel is a democracy. You cannot have a democracy while having an occupation, while treating all non jews as second and third class

  • @basim2 lol I believe the innocents on the flotilla stabbed quite a few Israeli soldiers without any provocation. And the flotilla knew there was a blockade and ignored it. owned.

  • @Blueindiefree That is not true at all. Just look at youtube videos of the flotilla masacre and you will see that it is not true. Israeli commandos attacked first. Even if the people on board did attack first, they have a right to defend themselves. This was done in international waters and what Israel did was against the law. Please stop trying to justify the terrorist discusting actions of the IOF ( Israeli Occupation Forces).

  • @basim2 well said israel is not innocent like everyone thinks look at the damn facts for yourselves everyone there government is corrupt and evil just like americas now is...

  • @Blueindiefree Well you believed wrong. Oh and don't used the word: "owned" cause it's not like you reported facts you dumb ass.

    Now that's "Owned" motherfucker.

  • @QTGbass citizens. Israel is not a democracy while also claiming to be a Jewish state. That is a theocracy. I do agree that this is a love of music. But I do feel that musicians and artists should use their talent to stand up for all oppressed people in this world. Hardly any artists and musicians performed in South Africa during apartide because they took a stand. QTbass DONT EVER SAY THAT I AM MISINFORMED ABOUT ISRAEL. Israel is a racist zionist state. Zionism is another form of Nazism.

  • @basim2 I will say you are misinformed because most of what you said here is wrong. Israel is not a theocracy. There are arab muslims in the parliament. The wall/fence around the west bank and check points have stopped the suicide bombing. Would you call the USA an aparthide state because they have an almost exactly the same fence along the mexican border to stop illegal immigration. Islam teaches that it is good to deceive the infidels and boy have been deceived.

  • @QTGbass Well said, sir. Well said indeed.

  • @basim2 As for mandela and tutu they as have many in the world community been deceived, fooled by the propoganda. I know foe a fact that israel delivers into gaza over 10000 tons of aid into gaza every week, including food, school supplies, medical and building materials and much more. Israel also provides 70% of the electricity and thousands of litres of fuel. When gazans need unattainable their the israelis treat them in israeli hospitals. I've never heard the same for jews in muslim states.

  • @basim2 Let me give you a real life situation that israelis live with everyday. Just recently a road was reopened in the west bank to reduce travel time greatly for the locals. The next day arabs were shooting at israeli cars from their new vantage point. The arabs hate and kill and never stop. thats why there is checkpoints, thats why there is a wall, thats why there is a blockade on gaza. They want to kill israelis. When they stop killing israelis and really want peace they will have it.

  • @QTGbass id be mad to if some ppl just came in and stole my land also

  • @atl2maryland Stole the land from who? Jews where purchasing land from the ottomans from the 1800's and have had a presence in the land for 2000 years. The so called palestinians have never had a nation...never. It is not about land anyway. They want and are taught from a young age that jews and christians are the enemy and all must die or be subjugated. Dont believe me? well then read the koran and hadiths and watch Palestinian childrens TV and get back to me.

  • is impressive the difference between Tony and Joel Taylor who played in the recording of Speak a Volcano DVD... Putting away the difference of quality of both videos... i can´t feel the drums here.... just a comment.... youre a great drum player too tony

  • The amp is awful !!! But Al is GREAT!!!

  • Love to see The Embrace live. For me this is a piece of masterwork of all times.

    Yngwie is great musician, simply he can't playthose beautiful, calm, dalicate tones. He has his style, AL style is absolutely, aaaabsloutely, an waaaaayyyyy far.

  • i saw al like a month ago and he stayed after in the lobby and autographed stuff it was sick

  • Al, unlike Malmsteen, plays in a lot of different styles though, and expanded on his style well, rather than just produce weak variations on it, which is all Malsmteen did after his first 3 or so records.

  • Though great in his own right, all Yngwie does is play different variations of arppegios.

  • 8:10-9:00 is stellar!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • a great tune from the kiss my axe album. spectacular performance by al, and the rythym section. a very enjoyable video.

  • Chyba jeden z najgorszych gitarzystów jakiego słyszałem w życiu! Ciekawe że PRS zrobił gitarę z jego sygnaturą?!

  • @blackstopa twoja wypowiedz była jedną z najgłupszych jakie czytałem w życiu. Przesłuchaj "Friday Night in San Francisco" a może zrozumiesz jego geniusz.

  • Hunteryougaf and Mr.Guitarguy1986 you both are silly. Al and Yngwie are two completely different players and they both have a formula for every tune. Everything I hear from Al, while it is awesome, is the same. Its usually always a minor scale with descending triplet runs and once in a while a major cadence comes through. Once you have a great guitar style keep it. If the formula works, keep doing it. Disect any popular guitarist. They all do it. Thats what makes it awesome!

  • @BUGtheband919

    it's a little funny saying Al usually uses minor scale with descending triplet runs, considering Yngwie is the king of musical sequences.

    Both great musicians though, i see no point in discussing whom is better.

  • i have the same PRS..one of the many i have..great guitar..great player!

  • HUNTERYOUGAF, you do realize you're listening to fusion right? Look anybody could 'solo' over this. But if Malmsteen or batio touched this song it wouldn't be fusion anymore, it'd be neo classical. It takes a special beast to play fusion like Al Di. Also (and I like yngwie) but his formula NEVER CHANGES. In every song you can expect the same descending arpeggio at least ten times.

  • yngwie can't hang here, or much place else. one dimensional player. He's mastered only one thing. It's almost sad when you think about it, but then I remember what a raging cock he is, and then I feel better.

  • ohh agreed!!! yes um..lol..

  • @MrGuitarguy1986 please dont cobere malmsteen with meola meola plays music he is a musisian malmsteen plays guitar he is a guitarist

  • you guys need to rethink when you say guitarist like yngwie and batio wouldn't be able to solo over something like this.  seriously, you guys know what kind of hours they've put in for their line of work and you don't think most of it was spent jamming with others? Being able to solo over this musically and technically well is inherited.

  • I've got third row tickest to see Al at the Largo Cultural Center. It's going to be sweet!

  • you know what's the difference between Al and neo"classical" shredders? they can't improvise with real jazz musicians and play totally different and interesting improvised solos over complex harmonies for hours

  • i think it is time for Carlos to ditch his hip-hop buddies, and make an album with his guitar equals, Al Di, Dave Gilmour, Joe Walsh, Paco...

  • seriously, i saw carlos a couple years ago, all i wanted to do is go back stage and knock him out. What a fucking bitch. No one wants to hear that faggot ass bitch rob thomas or his lame ass songs. Jeff Beck opened which i thought was inapropriate. I like carlos but beck is, in my opinion light year ahead of him in terms of creativity and technique. Anyways, i love carlos but your right, he definetly needs to start producing real art again as opposed to pop diariah...

  • Has Al ever played together with Carlos Santana?

  • in the 80s he was in tour with Santana.

  • He's playing as like as in an exercise...really cool..

  • they get a round a applause from me

  • the use of dynamics is amazing..these cats have their shit together...and as for Al..well..hes fabulous!!!

  • I am amused by all the guitar comments... Al also writes this stuff (or a lot of it) and to make pure guitar music interesting takes genius.... his playing is what he wants it to be at that moment..... I listen to the music not just the guitar....

  • What is the recording version of this song called, and from what album?

  • The song is called 'One Night Last June' and can be found on the 'Kiss My Axe' album.

  • Its "One night last June" (which is Track 6) on the album "Kiss My Axe"...one of the most Electric and Perfect Pieces of Music...

  • listen to the recorded version. he really messes with the time here for that out of place effect. Al plays with a crazy sense of syncopation

  • Too fast for Al Di Meola? That simply isn't possible.

  • i love al and gumbi ortiz the conga player is a monster

  • look 3:30 he use a marshall

    and samba pa ti is a bad song?? i don´t think so

  • I agree, I don't like that tone much, but he's a great player.. his acoustic stuff is better. :D and yes samba pa ti is a great song.

  • no a marshall stack...

    but I wouldn't be proud of a marshall stack on a regular basis either. though its sounds ok in this video, and al usually get good tone with it.

  • Al's work is so very tasteful that if all he could do is solo that would be enough. But if you really listen to his playing you will find that he is a great rythm player as well.I had the honor of seeing Gumbi Ortiz with Al at the old throughbred music guitar show in Fl. 1998. That was a show I'll never forget. Thanks Gumbi.

  • Wow this is goood hey anybody can tell me what is the brand of that guitar?

  • PRS

  • Al Di Meola is one of the best guitarist in music history, not many people can understand his genius like many people can't get Picasso

  • This guy is just a living GOD !!!

  • you're sad. hahahahahahahahahhahaha

  • xbutifuldisasterx needs to move out of his mommy and daddy's cellar and not spend so much time all by himself

  • Hey man, I'm not the world's biggest Al Di Meola fan but Yngwie, Batio and Van Halen are all jokes compared to this guy, IMO.

  • There is no basis for comparison. Different styles music....everything...

  • ya they are all great but al is a better all round player because of his improv skills. Batio and Yngwie shred the same stuff in different spots...not to say that they are bad players but if you were like iprov over a 1625 or a 251 i dont think they could

  • bro... yngwie and michael angelo are fantastic players. but song writing wise... they're the most bland i've ever heard! it was cool at first, but then i listened to three songs and i was like, "isn't this the exact same thing i just heard?" its all neoclassical diminished shit repackaged over and over. it's cool to shred but not on every damn song. that's annoying. absolutely no feel. but as for eddie, there's really no comparison. he and al play much too different styles to be compared.

  • awful!! he's good at soloing only. he'd better would have used his acoustic one. awful awful. but the rest is nice.

  • What's the title of the song?

  • damn! how on earth did I miss that concert?!

    I didnt even hear about it at the time, and I live 45 minutes of driving away from that venue... it's the second time he comes to perform in Israel & I missed both... & he is one of my favorites. he is so versatile, I mean, he is a brilliant jazz player, but also plays flamenco, blues, and practically everything he tries to play - brilliently.

    damn... was in the army at that time, probably being to buisy and sleep deprived :-/

  • så smukt...ahhh

  • This makes me want to get a Marshall JVM to complement my McCarty. And for those who are dumb enough to try and downgrade me for my spelling of complement, look it up. Yes, I'm that neurotic. But really, PRS through Boogie - not great.

  • Have to disagree - Carlos Santana plays his PRS through Mesa BoogieMark 1's to create his great signature sound and tone.

  • i've been on Al's concert yesterday, it was fantastic, and i've got autographs and photos with all band members, fantastic people, greetings to You, Gumbi, You're great : )

  • i jus wanna ask.. how do satriani vai n petrucci compare to tis dude.. i mean there is a league of its own goin on here.

  • For my money there is no electric guitar player on the planet who is in Al's league...and as for his acoustic playing!!!

    The guy has so much feel in every single note he plays....pure genius!!! God bless you Mr Di Meola!!

  • fantastic

  • Al Di Meola,pra mim,É O CARA!!!

    ...ele é tudo de bom...não consigo deixar de escutar o Som que ele faz...show de tudo!!

    Sabe Tudo.....

    JULIA ...FOREST GUMP

  • al di meola è il migliore in assoluto!

  • i had been reading about this guy for years in guitar magazines, but never bothered to hear him till like a week ago. the kiss my axe live video here on youtube was the first i heard of him. i was like holy shit this dood has some serious talent. i also liked his les paul, i have one that looks the same, but mine is a classic and im sure his is a standard with different humbuckers in it

  • awesome. thanks 4 sharing whith us gumbi.!!!

  • i DO prefer al's tone on the les paul. his current tone is TOO horn like.

  • Never an off note always perfection!

  • not only is he a great composer , guitarist , etc. he handles his audience with humor and flair

    he makes them feel totally entertained

  • great

  • i watch this video on a daily basis. and it still blows my mind every time.

  • PRSs are overated & overpriced.

  • you know what, you are too, so i dont wanna hear it

  • So are idiot critics who criticize the wrong thing - this is an Al DiMeola video, not a PRS advertisement. Nowhere in the video was PRS mentioned, much less the price of the instrument. Al's ability makes many guitars sing, from many different acoustics to PRSs and LPs. A good guitarist (like Al) uses the strengths of many different instruments to produce just the tonalities he (or she) envisions. What about the (overpriced) Ovation in the background, or the (way overpriced) hand-built bass? GAG

  • And these guys that are into the progressive-style has their on personal ('fingerprints') stylin' of express how to do it, right? As a guitarplayer on my own path I can prefere one against another. Steve Morse, Allan Holdsworth, John McLaughlin, Scott Henderson, Steve Vai and that genious from Australia who I can't remember his name that played with Chick Corea after Al left the band, all these guys an many more not mentioned are virtiousos are enjoyable to see and to listen to - true artists!

  • The genius from Australia is Frank Gambale. Yes he´s amazing!!!

  • The australian guy you mean is Frank Gambale. He´s fantastic.

  • but he can sing with his instrument.

  • I feel that, Al Di Meola is one of the best musician in the world...he´s music is wonderfull, i love him, and all the musicians who use to play with him ( Anthony Jackson...).Mauricio.

  • Hi Gumbi.. i'm a student at Jeff Berlin's school. I was there last year when you gave a clinic with your band..

    You're always exciting to see and hear...

    Say hi to Kenny Walker your bass player tell him I'm the guy from Colorado...

    Keep groovin man... Love it...

  • would love to see him play with Bella Fleck!

  • you can! i believe return to forever is doing a couple shows with bela fleck and the flecktones on their tour.

  • THIS MAN IS INSPAIRING.

  • I don't know if it was on purpose, but I think you just invented a perfectly good new word - "INSPAIRING"! It's the combined feelings of inspiration at hearing an absolutely incredible musician and the despair of ever being able to duplicate his (or her) virtuosity!

  • You ~Sizzle~ Al Di Meola! Dancing Raven

  • hi mr. de meola your daughter is one of my bffs and she gave me a cd of you and you and your music is amazing!!!!!!! i <3 you al!!

  • This is how it is freakin' done.

    Untouchable.

  • este pendejo no toka un carajo.

  • tu no sabes un carajo de musica entonces...

  • ZenDriveSeven

    I agree, I also perfer the Paul over the PRS.

    It would be nice to see Al pick up his Les Paul again. :-)

  • I have a 30 year old LP Standard and a 10 year old PRS. I love my LP but with both guitars side-by-side at my disposal....I reach for my PRS almost every time.

    Soul and Warmth is horseshit when talking about an electronic device played through another electronic device(an amplifier) WITH AN EQ or even a bass and mid control....want more mid or bass...add some.

    I've owned many guitars but the PRS is the only one that can almost replace the LP. I sometimes think I keep my LP for prestige.

  • Heve been a fan of Al for many years. Something about the PRS tone just bothers me. They are great guitars, but seem to lack soul and warmth. I prefer the Les Paul. It's just my opinion.

  • Great video from a great guitarist!

    But there's no problem with the sound of the PRS according to the LP, the volume is that matters!He signs 3 times (raises right arm high) to make him louder on the mixer.

  • Pure guitar-p0rn ;-)

    My favourite guitar played by one of my favourite guitar players ^^

  • For the record, Al Di Meola and Santana did a tour together, although I cannot remember the years. (Check wikipedia)

  • Very nice.

    Great guitar, but there is something about a black Gibson Les Paul in the hands of Al di Meola... ;-)

  • dang

  • esta es mi cancion favorita de mi guitarrista favorito, para mi el mejor de todo el mundo

  • grande chitarrista di alto livello..

  • me parece a mi, o AL está odiando al sonidista que hace el monitoreo??....

    jajaja!

  • I don't think Al and Santana have played together, but that would be amazing. Although technically I think Al would kick Carlos' ass, he would make up for it in pure emotion.

    Of the two, I don't know which I like better.

  • Reall didn't like Consequence of Chaos

  • al needs to go back with gibson

  • Havent heard ADM for years now. Sounds as progressive as ever- excellent guitarist.

  • aahhh.. Dont like his sound.

  • I second you

  • One of the best RHYTHM players there is.

  • Santana & Al Di Meola = The best off Latin Jazz Fusion.

  • Have Santana and ADM ever played together?

  • It's This The New Al Di Meola Signature PRS Guitar????

    its really nice!!!!

  • @somelonewolf it's not

  • Great playing, great song & great composition from one of the best guitarrist.

  • Fantastic guitarist and composer. Many thanks for uploading this clip.

  • Hey this is great! Love it and I want more. Al D is my fav guitarist and this sound is wonderful. Luv the acoustic percussion and mix with the electronic sounds---dreamy feeling in parts with high velocity sounds.

    Are there any albums made of this group?

  • Yea i agree with you guys the Les Paul does sound better.

  • les paul couldnt hold anyones jock strap he overdubbed his stuff to me hes not a purist

  • Good stuff.

  • even tho it is a custom prs it doesnt sound as good as a Les Paul, but man Al is awesome, his picking is incredible, his technique es perfect. Al is the man

  • People like you need to die on Christmas!

  • I am talking about the guy who said Al was C- Smkoer!

  • Die on Christmas? That's horrible. Worse than saying Al is a C-smoker. BTW..by many, many accounts, Al IS a dick. This will not stop me from buying and owning all of his music, he's one of very favorite guitar players. And, please don't tell me to die on Easter or anything..

  • Al is a magnificent player but I like his Les Paul sound better that the PRS, more robust (fatter).

  • i met Al 8 trs ago backstage at one of his concerts with the trio symphony (and almost 20 yrs after i've purchased my 1st record of him... my impression/perception was that of a very accesible guy with a great sense of humor and a very humane side. Almost have collected all of his records since...

  • i too met Gumbi, great guy ! YEP Al will always be surrounded by the cream of the crop... The best musicians, i really would like to see him getting together with Chick Corea for the grand finale !

  • Al's a tremendous player but has to be the biggest dick i've ever met. not a nice guy at all. but his bassist on this tour, i know personally, he's a far better player than al is in many ways. and has to be the coolest person i know. so if you hear mike pope's playing nearby, you gotta see it to believe it. Victor Wooten looks up to him.

  • He is the biggest c-smoker on the planet. And he has hair plugs.

  • then why did he play 2 sets and hang around to autograph my CD at the OWT last week ?

    We were the last in line on a cold night ,

    thanks Al !

  • yes al has joined the `gentlemen`s hair club`.

  • That is a PRS guitar and this is an awesome video.

  • Looks like a Paul Reed Smith

  • He´s not playing his Les Paul...probably why he sounds a bit "different" - hey, he´s still Great!

  • No it is the Marshall

  • IMHO he doesn't have the feel he used to have... but what do I know? Maybe his power was in the hair - like Samson? Still got the "guns" though. :oP

  • AL's great, so his project.