Al DiMeola

[SteveB]

There's a good chance I'm going to see Al DiMeola play an electric show next weekend. Anyone know what electric he plays? I'm gonna wear a Music Man shirt and look for an opportunity to convert him (if necessary.. I really don't know what he plays now..)

The venue is tiny, so I have no doubt I'll be able to make eye contact or get his attention.

[evil laugh]

edit: hmm.. a look at Al's website makes me think he's a PRS player. I'll still have a crack at him, though!

 

[jongitarz]

He used to play Les Pauls, then went to PRS..Don't know what he plays now..He also used to play Ovations

 

[JDouglee]

Last time I saw him he didn't play electric at all, just an Ovation thru a
Roland VG8 to simulate his old Les Paul sounds...

Casino is one of my desert island discs, Al smokes!

 

[jongitarz]

Elegant Gypsy....That song with Paco! OMG I saw return to Forever with Al, Chick, Stanley Clarke,(was it Lenny White on drums?? ) It was at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium...Awesome concert.

 

[savannah_sean]

The song with Paco on Elegant Gypsy is "Mediterrenean Sundance"

My mom (of all people) gave me that album for my 16th birthday, and that was when I pretty much quit listening to Yngwie...not that there is anything wrong with Y, just that Al D. was a huge catalyst for a change in my taste.

Man, seeing that RTF lineup would have been amazing- I presume it was Lenny White on drums- he was on the "Romantic Warrior" album with Chick Corea, Al Dimeola and Stanley Clarke (he was on a few of their other albums too, "no mystery" is the only one I can think of though)

So, I was 16 when I first heard "Race with Devil on Spanish Highway"...and I'm STILL trying to learn how to play it correctly!

 

[kbaim]

Elegant Gypsy....That song with Paco! OMG I saw return to Forever with Al, Chick, Stanley Clarke,(was it Lenny White on drums?? ) It was at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium...Awesome concert.

Man, what an album. I saw Al D around '78 at the SM civic with UK opening for him (a young Alan Holdsworth blew me away too)

 

[jongitarz]

The Santa Monica Civic is where I saw RTF..2nd row! (I am originally from SM/Venice)

 

[JDouglee]

Hey Jon, what year did you see them?

I may have something for you to check out

 

[Adwex]

The song with Paco on Elegant Gypsy is "Mediterrenean Sundance"

My mom (of all people) gave me that album for my 16th birthday, and that was when I pretty much quit listening to Yngwie...not that there is anything wrong with Y, just that Al D. was a huge catalyst for a change in my taste.

Wow, I completely forgot about Mediterrenean Sundance, what a great acoustic duet. I have a couple Al Di albums on vinyl, so I pretty much forgot about him since my turntable has been gathering dust for the last 15 years or so.

I've seen Al a couple of times. I've concluded that (like Steve Howe), he really shines on acoustic, more so than on electric. I can't imagine how Steve Morse felt opening up for Al, Paco, and John McLaughlin. Talk about intimidating.

 

[KpBasser]

Man, what an album. I saw Al D around '78 at the SM civic with UK opening for him (a young Alan Holdsworth blew me away too)

Hey Keith,
Al D is awesome. I first saw him in 81 at the Hollywood Bowl with the acoustic trio. then again at SM civic in 82 touring Electric Rendezvous (Jan Hammer) opened up then joined the band with Al. Coincidently I saw him another time at the Coach House and Holdsworth was in the crowd.

P.S. Nice original music at the Friday Night dinner at the open house. We really had a great time, those EBMM people really know how to throw a shindig.

KP

 

[kbaim]

Thanks!

I saw Al with the trio but I can't remember if it was the hollywood bowl or the greek theater. I do remember sneaking up to those box seats though for that concert.

Also saw Steve opening up for those guys in '83 I think at SDSU open air theater. Steve more than held his own. Most of what the 3 of the other guys did was a blur, but Steve's composing/plauing really shined.

Anyone interested in Al doing some great acoustic playing should check out the dvd he did with jean luc ponty and stanley clarke. Just some great playing, unbelievable strummng and precision picking too

 

[KpBasser]

I always thought Dimeola was the fastest most precice, back in those days. no matter how fast each note was the same volume.

Is there any place you can get that DVD besides online?

The first time I saw Steve was openning up for Rush at the Forum . I missed a few opportunities to see Steve before that. On the Dreggs of the Earth tour and on the Unsung Heroes tour, I remember my friends asking if I could go and my mom saying I was too young. Just Glad I've seen him as many times as I have.

 

[kbaim]

I bought the dvd at tower records for 10 bucks.