FEATURED CD - Al Di Meola : Elegant Gypsy

[Duncan Glenday]

Per Allmusic:

Guitarist Al di Meola's second record as a leader is generally an explosive affair, although it does have a fair amount of variety. With Jan Hammer or Barry Miles on keyboards, electric bassist Anthony Jackson, drummer Lenny White (Steve Gadd takes his place on the "Elegant Gypsy Suite"), and percussionist Mingo Lewis on most of the selections, di Meola shows off his speedy and rock-ish fusion style. He was still a member of Return to Forever at the time and was a stronger guitarist than composer, but di Meola did put a lot of thought into this music. The brief "Lady of Rome, Sister of Brazil" (an acoustic guitar solo) and "Mediterranean Sundance" (an acoustic duet with fellow guitarist Paco de Lucía) hints at di Meola's future directions. A near classic in the fusion vein.

http://www.allmusic.com/album/elegan...y-mw0000187928

[Reid]

Elegant Gypsy is the record that really turned my music listening in an another direction. Before that it was Pink Floyd, ELP, Yes, etc...

The first two tunes, Flight Over Rio, and Midnight Tango are the ones I enjoy the most.

[nosebone]

Mediterranean Sundance blew me away in 10th grade, still does.

But the album is RTF lite, and made Al very famous.

[Reid]

Mediterranean Sundance blew me away in 10th grade, still does.

What's the deal with that composition? Di Meola is credited as composer, but I've seen old videos of
Paco De Lucia playing this tune up on YouTube.

[Yaman Aksu]

What's the deal with that composition? Di Meola is credited as composer, but I've seen old videos of
Paco De Lucia playing this tune up on YouTube.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mediterranean_Sundance

I'm more used to its version on the Friday Night In San Francisco album, with another song blended in: Rio Ancho

[MYSTERIOUS TRAVELLER]

really solid and thrilling album even if Al borrows the writing style of Chick for his first few albums... actually, it's that Chick writing style that makes Al's first few albums great.


...waiting for the inevitable idiot comment about how Al's Guitar playing sounds like someone typing on a typewriter real fast and how they'd rather listen to that than a Di Meola album

will the first idiot please step forward and take your place?

[Trane]

really solid and thrilling album even if Al borrows the writing style of Chick for his first few albums... actually, it's that Chick writing style that makes Al's first few albums great.

ADM was still quite young back then, but everything about his first two (three?) albums sounds borrowed or copies either McL, PDL abd Carlos, IMHO...

Still like EG and LotMS (Casino a bit less), though.

[Vic2012]

I had the cassette album of this. I had a few 70s Al D albums on budget priced cassette decades ago. The only thing I have by him now is an anythology CD, which contains all the important songs from those early albums. Mingo Lewis really adds something to these albums too. Al is one of the very few "technical/wanker" type musicians that I really love.

[grego]

Remains my fave Di Meola's album. He is very versatile artist, and his guitar technique is absolutely incredible. Truly unique.

[Dave]

Elegant Gypsy is the record that really turned my music listening in an another direction. Before that it was Pink Floyd, ELP, Yes, etc...

The first two tunes, Flight Over Rio, and Midnight Tango are the ones I enjoy the most.

Agree, especially Midnight Tango. Anthony Jackson is incredible, as usual on this cut. I think his contributions to Al DiMeola and Steve Khan (and numerous other)recordings are (insert superlative of good).

[Progatron]

Love it. Interchangeable with his other first few solo releases, and I mean that in a good way.

[Dave]

really solid and thrilling album even if Al borrows the writing style of Chick for his first few albums... actually, it's that Chick writing style that makes Al's first few albums great.


...waiting for the inevitable idiot comment about how Al's Guitar playing sounds like someone typing on a typewriter real fast and how they'd rather listen to that than a Di Meola album

will the first idiot please step forward and take your place?

This reminds me of several people on the iterations of Allan Holdsworth's forums wher Al was referred to as Al DiMuteola or something to that effect...

[Garden Dreamer]

Elegant Gypsy is the record that really turned my music listening in an another direction. Before that it was Pink Floyd, ELP, Yes, etc...

Same here. Never got into his later stuff but those first few early albums hit the right spot with me.

[nosebone]

Agree, especially Midnight Tango. Anthony Jackson is incredible, as usual on this cut. I think his contributions to Al DiMeola and Steve Khan (and numerous other)recordings are (insert superlative of good).

And Jan Hammer

[Pythonphan]

A co-worker gave me this on cassette back in 1985 during the height of speed metal. I was completely amazed at his playing ability. This turned me on to REAL guitarist. He also gave me a "Return to Forever" tape to "borrow" that I think I still have. That turned me on to the whole Jazz-Fusion. Come on - Return to Forever has had some of the greatest musicians. I am hoping I am not starting something I shouldn't.

[No Pride]

really solid and thrilling album even if Al borrows the writing style of Chick for his first few albums... actually, it's that Chick writing style that makes Al's first few albums great.

...waiting for the inevitable idiot comment about how Al's Guitar playing sounds like someone typing on a typewriter real fast and how they'd rather listen to that than a Di Meola album

will the first idiot please step forward and take your place?

I'm here!

Actually, I'd never say that about him. From a technical standpoint, I admire him; his chops, tone and time are all formidable. I just never cared for his music, as a writer or a soloist. I'm reluctant to say too much, since being a guitar player and composer myself, I fear the "what, you think you're better?" or "you're just jealous!" comments, which would be ridiculous; neither are applicable. I'd love to switch right arms with him! And he writes well within the context of that flamenco fusion thing he does. It just doesn't move me. And as an improviser, there are so many guitar players I'd rather listen to, including Bill Conners, who he replaced in RTF. I think of Al as the Yngwie of fusion, another player who I don't care for, despite amazing chops, time and tone. It all comes down to content... and the content of what these guys do doesn't resonate with me; nothing I can do about that! I find both of them to depend too much on their trademark patterns/licks, for which the more you listen, the more you realize how much they repeat them. Sorry AD fans! I can understand what it is people dig about this stuff, but I can't... and I've tried.

the album is RTF lite, and made Al very famous.

If you're going to base your writing around somebody else's, Chick Corea would be a great choice! But that latin fusion thing is just one aspect of Chick's diverse writing style... and he explored other styles even within RTF.

Mingo Lewis really adds something to these albums too.

Anthony Jackson is incredible, as usual on this cut.

And Jan Hammer

Al certainly knew how to put a smokin' band together; can't dispute any of his personnel choices! Speaking of Jan, there were a couple tunes of his that he contributed to the AD band; they're some of my favorite things in the repertoire.

[Fracktured]

My favorite of Al's albums. Al has drifted into different styles and directions over the years, but this one still remains the style that I enjoyed the most. Al was rather young when his joined RTF and I remember him saying that he was nervous about perusing a solo career after chick broke up the band. He's matured over the years but it's a matter of opinion when the maturity has made him better or not.

[Mikhael]

I don't know about borrowing Chick's writing style... just not sure. Al's first couple of albums were not compositional masterpieces. He did create a good mood sometimes, and the guitar was absolutely blazing, for sure! But, as his "...Volcano" video shows, his music is a LOT more diverse and interesting nowadays (well, I think so). He's a bit weird to watch, for a guitarist, though; when he plays, the fingers of his left hand flop around like spider legs on a hot plate. Most guitarists of his cailbre have a very economical movement on the fretboard, but not Al.

[MYSTERIOUS TRAVELLER]

I'm here!

Actually, I'd never say that about him. From a technical standpoint, I admire him; his chops, tone and time are all formidable. I just never cared for his music, as a writer or a soloist.

not you Ernie... your comments are well expressed and I can completely sympathize with you about having an artist whose work many enjoy just not resonate at all with me. Certainly VDGG, Yes and Genesis are that way with me. Great and thoughtful post Ernie! I wish I could be as articulate about things that dont thrill me

[wideopenears]

Agree, especially Midnight Tango. Anthony Jackson is incredible, as usual on this cut. I think his contributions to Al DiMeola and Steve Khan (and numerous other)recordings are (insert superlative of good).

This is my favorite DiMeola record, and precisely because of Anthony. I like DiMeolea's debut too, with AJ and also Jaco on some tracks....but this one seems more cohesive. Agree also on the Khan Eyewitness stuff. AJ is a unique and underappreciated player, IMO.

[Blah_Blah_Woof_Woof]

I recently decided to recreate my vinyl fusion collection and have been buying some classics at $5 or less:

Al DiMeola - Elegant Gypsy and Casino
Mingo Lewis - Flight Never Ending
Caldera - Time and Tide
Nova - Wings of Love
George Duke, Airto, Bayete, Automatic Man, Alphonso Johnson, Lenny White, Jon-Luc Ponty... It's like reuniting with old friends!

[Zeuhlmate]

I never fell for the first albums he made.
Somehow fascinating at first , but too 'easy listening' that got boring way too soon.

I listen to 'Scenario' and 'Cielo e Terra' from time to time - has more vitamins IMO.

[grego]

I'm here!

Actually, I'd never say that about him. From a technical standpoint, I admire him; his chops, tone and time are all formidable. I just never cared for his music, as a writer or a soloist. I'm reluctant to say too much, since being a guitar player and composer myself, I fear the "what, you think you're better?" or "you're just jealous!" comments, which would be ridiculous; neither are applicable. I'd love to switch right arms with him! And he writes well within the context of that flamenco fusion thing he does. It just doesn't move me. And as an improviser, there are so many guitar players I'd rather listen to, including Bill Conners, who he replaced in RTF. I think of Al as the Yngwie of fusion, another player who I don't care for, despite amazing chops, time and tone. It all comes down to content... and the content of what these guys do doesn't resonate with me; nothing I can do about that! I find both of them to depend too much on their trademark patterns/licks, for which the more you listen, the more you realize how much they repeat them. Sorry AD fans! I can understand what it is people dig about this stuff, but I can't... and I've tried.

I partly agree. As an improviser, he is repetitive, but you know, they all more or less repetitive, including M.Davis, Jawinul, Coltrane..they all use the same phrases from record to record. So the positive side of this is recognition..

[No Pride]

I partly agree. As an improviser, he is repetitive, but you know, they all more or less repetitive, including M.Davis, Jawinul, Coltrane..they all use the same phrases from record to record. So the positive side of this is recognition..

I can't dispute that. Licks are something of a necessary evil because it's hard to constantly come up with fresh ideas in realtime every second. Licks help connect the dots between the moments when you do have musical ideas that seem to come from the cosmos. They're also things that you know will work and they're good for keeping the energy going while you're waiting for the next epiphany. I guess the trick is to have really cool ones (hopefully at least a percentage of which you came up with yourself) and the bigger your collection, the better. Of course, what's cool and what isn't is subjective. To me, some of Al's (and Yngwie's for that matter) sound like practice exercises. YMMV.

[FrippWire]

A friend at 10th grade summer school back in the late 70's lent this to me. I was not ready for it and didn't care for it at all. I was so used to Blue Oyster Cult, Kiss and Uriah Heep. It just went over my head. I was just discovering Frank Zappa in a big way so by senior year I was ready when another friend lent me Mahavishnu Orchestra / Birds Of Fire which I loved. I was now ready to readdress Elegant Gypsy which I also loved the second time around. It remains my favorite Al DiMeola recording to this day. Race With Devil On Spanish Highway is insane!!!