Search - Al Di Meola :: Acoustic Anthology

Bordering on the Flamenco Tradition

Karl Henning | Boston, MA | 10/20/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"When the source for an anthology is the rich catalogue which DiMeola has established with the collaboration of John McLaughlin, Paco De Lucia and Chick Corea, the result must be tireless, dazzling, focused. The tracks here come from such strong albums as "Splendido Hotel," "Friday Night in San Francisco," "Passion, Grace & Fire" - albums which are not burdened with any great deal of deadwood, so a selection must perforce be outstanding. There is throughout the disc a demonstration of technique which excites admiration; I find myself a little puzzled at people who dismiss disciplined technique as "lacking heart," as though a mediocre guitarist who has had a couple of beers and is feeling sentimental is somehow musically superior. If you feel that an album where someone does not sing "doo-wah" is an opportunity lost, you will not much care for this album, I am afraid. But if anyone can listen to "Passion, Grace & Fire" without his heart singing within him ... well, let us share a moment of silence. While this is seldom the true exposition of flamenco, it shares enough of that world that never a moment is dull. All right, I don't want to sound tiresome by seeming to suggest that there is nothing in this album with which I find fault; there is, actually. The cover art is awful. The black-and-white photographs are hideous (especially - sorry, Al - the one with no shirt); and the wood-grain background should be a different tone ... as it is, the cover art reminds the sensitive listener of a K-Tel anthology-packaged-for-the-home-shopping-network with distressing accuracy. The closest I have to a musical grievance is the tinny sound to the studio cut of "Mediterranean Sundance." And, probably, I prefer the "Fantasia Suite" from "Friday Night in San Francisco," but I suppose this one was chosen to show Al off, as overdubbing all the parts. All in all, not much to cavil at. Is Al DiMeola the greatest guitarist in the world? No, but at his best, he's a damned fine one, and this album puts his best foot forward."

Economical Introduction to di Meola's Early Work

Steve Vrana | Aurora, NE | 01/05/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This collection samples each of di Meola's Columbia albums (except Tour de Force: Live) beginning with his 1976 debut along with his first two albums with John McLaughlin and Paco de Lucia. This is a guitar player's delight. His playing can be at times delicate and ferocious, but always engaging. Di Meola teams up with his former boss Chick Corea on "Short Tales of the Black Forest," "Two to Tango" and "Isfahan." [The latter two--along with "Splendido Sundance"--are from Splendido Hotel, arguably his best album.] You also get two versions of "Passion, Grace & Fire." The first is from Electric Rendezvous and features di Meola and de Lucia; the second adds McLaughlin. Di Meola is equally adept on the electric guitar, but I prefer his acoustic work. If you're unfamiliar with this gifted guitarist, this is an economical way to acquaint yourself with his early solo work. RECOMMENDED"