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If you
ask me, who is god damn best guitarist in the world, then I'd probably
tell you straight away, it is Al Laurence Dimeola. But well the word
'best' is always relative isn't it?! But it's definately a fact, that this
exeptional musician is one of the most profiled and accepted guitarplayers
of the present.
Let's get briefly to the history of Al, for all those out there who just
know Al by the name or not at all.
The italo-american Fursion guitarist was born back in 1954 in New Jersey.
After his talents were discovered very early, he studies at the Berkley
College of Music in Boston and got discovered only aged 19 by Chick Corea,
who gave him a job in his Return To Forever band. After Al's been
voted as best new talent by Guitar Player in 1976 he released his first
album. The he was also voted by Guitar Player for 'Best Jazz Guitarist' in
1977 and got awarded for his second longplayer 'Best Guitar' And therefore
he had been the youngest guitarist who received these awards. And since
then he received it 4 more times. Guitar Player made him three times the
best acoustic guitarist and intoducted him into the 'Gallery Of Greats'
next to musicians like Leo Kottke and Andres Segovia.
In the Seventies Al Di Meola was known as the fasted guitarist in the
world.
In 1981 he recorded with guitarists John McLaughlin and Paco DeLucia their
famous live album 'Friday Night In San Francisco', which sold on the spot
2 Million times. It was followed by the Longplayer 'Passion, Grace &
Fire in 1982. -
In 1996 the threesome Meola,McLaughlin an dLucia did another
studiorecording and a reunion tour.
However Al Di Meola has released 22 albums and the 23th one is just a
question of time. Not to mention the countless sampler and cooperation
with other musicians. But the most popular recording he's ever done is
still the legendary 'Elegant Gypsy' Album with tracks like 'Race With The
Devil On A Spanish Highway' and 'Mediterrian Sundance'.
It still ain't easy to live and work as a fusion musician nowadays, as the
average music consumer prefers rather simple stuff, and the advanced
listener rather became a rare species.
I've seen this musician twice within the last decade, and everytime it was
under a different slogan. IN 2003 it was rather fusion, at the second time
in 2008 the focus was put on jazz. Tonight he's gonna introduce us to his
new band. Whereby the expression 'new' is rather put on the strategy and
not so much on the band members, as I do recognize at least two guys from
last time.
Munich has not been on the tourrider so far on this tour, but therefore
Imst in Tyrol,Austria. the concert has been set within the so called
Tschirgart Jazz Festival days. - It's about a 2 1/2 hours drive from
Munich into the beautiful tyrolean alps landscape, which has, - believe it
or not, quite a little cultural potential as well.
The prologue is done by french musician Biréli Lagrène, who already
recorded his first album aged 12.
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This
extraordinary musician has also played with famous US Bassist Jaco
Pastorius, who passed away much too early.Lagrène is said to be the
legiteme heir of Django Reinhardt, who's compositions he plays with this
very special note. He shows some similarity to his idol in creativity and
in virtual phrasing and he does trips into various styles of Jazz and
latin music and even classical tunes.
In the tradtion of the Synthi or better Manouches musicians Biréli Lagrène
is a Multiinstrumentalist; he's an ace on bass, fidel and piano as well
and even plays the drums occasionally.
Whatever we get offered here tonight, I'd put it in the Bar Jazz draw or
also named lounge music. With his Gypsy Threesome he presents us his
latest release 'Gypsy' which came out past fall, and also some Reinhardt
classics. Jazz standards make a change with latin american rhythm and
popart.
And you can't deny, that the 43 year old guitarist own a huge talent. Only
the generell worldwide marketing on the international horizon still shows
a lack.
http://www.bireli.com/
One thing
is for sure, Al Di Meola stands with both legs on the ground and he
certainly does not suffer any - stardom affectation. The 56 - still so
young looking Jazz Rock upper league guitarist introduces himself and his
musicians and conquers the audiance for himself within 10 seconds or even
less with his southern charming smile.
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His new
band is named World Sinfonia, and those one's,as I mentioned before
include some already known musicians.
One thing I have to mention at this point as well. Thanks to the guys of
the Artclub Imst, who helped me through the usual problems, as - no
guestlist no photopass on the list. (complared to this, Munich is a
madhouse)
"I pray when I play Music, because music is a religion", Al said
once in the past. But de doesn't even seem higly concentrated. Everything
seems so easy and light. But believe me, my friends that's not the case.
It's almost acrobatics, overdimensional what's up to his playing. And I
have of course to mention the talents of his band as well.
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No
surprise, though, as Al wouldn'd go for less, would he. He also got a
special relationship to electro acoustic guitars, that's obvious. By the
way, he was one of the first jazz guitarists, who put some synthi tunes to
his playing. Anyway it's fusion time again, mixing a lot of musical
influences together. It's not an aggressive form but a rather calm, posh
line Al and his World Sinfonia goes for. The band is:
Fausto Beccalossi on Akordeon, Peo
Alfonsi (Git), Gumbi Ortiz (Perc.), Peter Kaszas (Drums) and Victor
Miranda (Bass) .
A live CD - 'Live From Seattle And Elsewhere' can be purchased at the
concerts. A fulll album has yet to come.
Remarkable is also the great acoustical sound conditions within this place
which is orignally a Tennis hall. No you can turn it round however you
want, but there is absolutely nothing to complain about Al Di Meolas show
!
This is
best art on highest niveau. No surprise again,, because as I mentioned
before up there is one of the world's best guitarists, if not even the
best. And as you can see on the image below, he also handles the electic
guitar within this show.
Al asks
the audiance to come to the front at the encore and he finishes the gig
with an energetic acoustic version of his famous tune
';Mediterrian Sundance'
Whoever
got curious now, should check the tourdates on this website here. Because
there are still a few Al Di Meola shows to come in Europe,where you can
convince yourself about the huge skills of Al Di Meola. And let me tell
you: you won't regret, because there ain't no better and no faster.... -
at least for me myself....
http://www.aldimeola.com/ |
