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Di Meola, Al
Master fusion guitarist
Casino (1974)
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1. Egyptian Danza 2. Chasin' The Voodoo 3. Dark Eye Tango 4. Senor Mouse 5. Fantasia Suite For Two Guitars: - A. Viva La Danzarina - B. Guitars Of The Exotic Isle - C. Rhapsody Italia - D. Bravoto Fantasia 6. Casino |
 Rank: 4 guitars out of 5 Really enjoyed it |
| Reviewer: lach (96) |
Petrucci, Morse, Vai - all of these guys mention Al Di Meola as an influence, so I had to get a CD. Released in '78, with Steve Gadd on drums, Anthony Jackson on bass, and a host of other musicians, this CD would best be described as early instrumental rock. Meola is one of those very (very) rare musicians who is able to play his guitar without any cliche's. It's really quite unbelievable. The whole time while he's playing, you never hear basic standard "guitar" riffs, and the whole time he stays amazingly melodic (unlike Holdsworth). He has complete mastery over the instrument, to the point of being able to imagine a melody in his head and just whip it up on the guitar. Most people who play their instrument fall into playing familiar riffs, notes, scales... whatever they remember. After listening to a few of Meola's melodies and solos, some of them sound pretty easy. Nothing too tricky. It's only until you go to play them yourself that you realise that they are really finger-twisters, not really designed for guitar. Anyway, enough of that, what's the CD like? Really good! Get it! More details? Steve Gadd's drumming is superb. Lots of great fills, inventive rhythm selection and he plays like he knows the songs better than Meola himself. All of the songs on this CD are very memorable. Great melodies, great solo's and great playing. It's definitely in the jazz/rock vein - don't expect any Judas Priest style thrash riffs - but that shouldn't put you off. I really enjoyed the opening track "Egyptian Danza". It's a very upbeat song that really captures the mood or feel of the Egyptian culture. The good news is that he plays this one on his new DVD (which I haven't seen). "Fantasia Suite For Two Guitars" is also a great acoustic guitar duo, with Meola playing all instruments himself; acoustic guitar, mandolin, castanets, muted congas, bongos and my favourite of all, hand claps and foot stamps :) Pity the CD is only 38 minutes long. My ranking: 4 - Really enjoyed it |
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