What an absolute MONSTER this man is....and has been for almost 40 years....a Major influence with me since I was a teenager....the longevity...the body of work and the share quality of his work is untouchable
I have to agree as well. Al succeeds in creating amazingly beautiful and melodic music despite always being incredibly sofisticated in the harmonies, rhythms and tempos of his songs. A true master of the instrument.
Yep Al was either super tired preoccupied perhaps a little too much wine or more likely something was up with that ovation some people here have said it could have been the action I really don't know but even then it was ridiculously amazing.. and I might add I believe this is the first time I've actually seen him finger picking with the right hand that was interesting..
Al's off day is like excellent to the normal guitarist. That is a beautiful Ovation, I couldn't see why he could possibly have a struggle with it unless the action was set bad for him.
With experience, it turns out it’s your picking hand that’s in overdrive. Not with Al. Watch his fingers twist and spider to create the sound of 2 guitars. #1.
I used to play them all the time in the music stores to see if I could actually like them too since Al was playing them even Nancy Wilson from heart and I always came to the conclusion that even though I can really get around for some lead playing, that body type I couldn't hang with that for hours and hours whether practicing or studio or doing performing or busking outside for 6 to 8 hours I couldn't handle that shape against my ribs
You actually say "standard tuning"and not "normal tuning". And my point was exactly this...why use alternate tuning when you can play stuff like this while in standard tuning using lots of opened chords. And i am not knocking down alternate tunings saying this...jsut exaggerating a point.
You can tell he was struggling playing that Ovation for a very rare moment, just by the way he ended the performance he looked really unhappy and frustrated. I couldn't read what he was saying to his roadie but he was asking him something like "how many did I miss" or something like that and seemed really preoccupied and uneasy. The last few consecutive triplets in Fantasia Suite were really a struggle to get through it was very obvious. I think it has a lot to do with the action on that particular Ovation Custom Legend. Either that, or he was having an off night but I know that when I got the same guitar, I found it not as smooth playing as some of the other cheaper ones, believe it or not.
***** Not sure I understand what you mean. Depending on what year the Ovation "was built" or depending on what year "this was"? Anyway, I have 5 Ovations and they all came with the action exceptionally high except for one and that was a used one that was already lowered. I took out all the shims on every single one of them and they all play great except for this exact one that still is actually difficult to play smooth arpeggios and fast runs and especially fast triplets, quadruplets and quintuplets lol. It's doubly hard when the action is high and your transfer from note to note suffers hence your speed suffers (that's what seems to be happening to Al in this video). But I would hardly have the need to play anything else I think they're the best acoustic guitars without a question.
Like he was "struggling" through his performance, lol. That was fucking flawless, you can say whatever the fuck you want about his Ovation he's light years better than you'll ever be on guitar.
GoMiGman No, you shut the fuck up, you're the one who blatantly called out his little "glitch". Enjoy the performance and appreciate the music for what it is worth, Al Di Meola is one of the world's greatest guitarists. Peace
Noah Nattress lol! I did call out the glitch and if you were able to counter it intelligently then give it your best shot but obviously you can't - therefore - shut the fuck up! :)
***** You built every guitar for Al between '93 and '97? Well, you realize this is the internet and anyone can claim anything, right? But I'll certainly take your word for it and I appreciate you commenting politely unlike some of these other individuals. He's even mentioned on one of his other videos that the style and sound he looks for can't be played on a Martin like you mentioned so you're absolutely correct with that. That being said, what gets lost in all of this is that this was no knock on Al or Ovation. If anything, Al Di Meola is my favorite guitarist and I've been playing Ovations since 1986 when I bought my first shallow body sunburst cutaway, I believe it was a Celebrity and later gave it to my brother. Since then, I've bought 5 Ovations and my last one is this Al Di Meola signature Custom Legend and it came with the action really high and super difficult to play out of the case. So I pulled out all but the thinnest of shims under the bridge pick-up to lower the action and it was much better but still a little higher than all the other Ovations I have and that's what prompted me to make the comment. It seems very obvious to me (I've seen him 5 times) that he was frustrated in this video and if you look at the end after he finished the song, he looks over and makes some comment that again appears to show frustration. Even his triplets were not the usual Di Meola perfection. I could be wrong, anyone is more than welcome to offer their opinion and correct me and I'd actually like to hear what you think.
Doug Davis When he played the full body versions back in the 70s and 80s the recording’s were incredible. Tones were rich and fat. But the cutaway has a thinner sound.
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What an absolute MONSTER this man is....and has been for almost 40 years....a Major influence with me since I was a teenager....the longevity...the body of work and the share quality of his work is untouchable
I'm my opinion Al was at his peak in 1991 with "kiss my axe" and world sinfonia. Phenomenal organic music
One of, if not the, greatest guitarist to ever have lived.
I Agree with you
I have to agree as well. Al succeeds in creating amazingly beautiful and melodic music despite always being incredibly sofisticated in the harmonies, rhythms and tempos of his songs. A true master of the instrument.
Saw Dimeola in Denver...with Chick and Return To Forever in late 70s...awe inspiring. Virtuosos all that night. So special.
Even when Al is drunk , he still better than 99% of the rest of them
Dude is amazing ..!
saw Al in 94 rite of strings with Jean Luc Ponty and Stanley Clarke. Fantastic show!
Al DI MEOLA, awesome guitarist
Al makes me sick. How can one man have so much talent 😵
Uhhhhh, what a playing!
Wow. Outstanding
Техника владения медиатором у Меолы конечно на высоте. А музыка вызывает особенные чувства. А как играло трио: Меола, Пако де Лусия и Маклафлин...
Truly a unique voice..
Who needs alternate tunings?
No question,master maestro -dot!!!
Al Di Meola au sommet de son Art , une merveille
...this is virtuoso..alt-picking..raised to the height of the ..ART of Classical Guitar Playing...ie,Orient Blue...
Flawless victory
Fantastico!!
Wowww.......👏👏👏👏
My fav👍
Yep Al was either super tired preoccupied perhaps a little too much wine or more likely something was up with that ovation some people here have said it could have been the action I really don't know but even then it was ridiculously amazing.. and I might add I believe this is the first time I've actually seen him finger picking with the right hand that was interesting..
Al's off day is like excellent to the normal guitarist. That is a beautiful Ovation, I couldn't see why he could possibly have a struggle with it unless the action was set bad for him.
Or too much of the organic Italian wine before the show...
With experience, it turns out it’s your picking hand that’s in overdrive. Not with Al. Watch his fingers twist and spider to create the sound of 2 guitars. #1.
What a beautiful ovation, great sound as always. The only weakpoint is its signature feature, the radiused body.
I used to play them all the time in the music stores to see if I could actually like them too since Al was playing them even Nancy Wilson from heart and I always came to the conclusion that even though I can really get around for some lead playing, that body type I couldn't hang with that for hours and hours whether practicing or studio or doing performing or busking outside for 6 to 8 hours I couldn't handle that shape against my ribs
genial
You actually say "standard tuning"and not "normal tuning". And my point was exactly this...why use alternate tuning when you can play stuff like this while in standard tuning using lots of opened chords. And i am not knocking down alternate tunings saying this...jsut exaggerating a point.
john trick at 1:55 hehee
5:42 which Song is????
You can tell he was struggling playing that Ovation for a very rare moment, just by the way he ended the performance he looked really unhappy and frustrated. I couldn't read what he was saying to his roadie but he was asking him something like "how many did I miss" or something like that and seemed really preoccupied and uneasy. The last few consecutive triplets in Fantasia Suite were really a struggle to get through it was very obvious. I think it has a lot to do with the action on that particular Ovation Custom Legend. Either that, or he was having an off night but I know that when I got the same guitar, I found it not as smooth playing as some of the other cheaper ones, believe it or not.
***** Not sure I understand what you mean. Depending on what year the Ovation "was built" or depending on what year "this was"?
Anyway, I have 5 Ovations and they all came with the action exceptionally high except for one and that was a used one that was already lowered. I took out all the shims on every single one of them and they all play great except for this exact one that still is actually difficult to play smooth arpeggios and fast runs and especially fast triplets, quadruplets and quintuplets lol. It's doubly hard when the action is high and your transfer from note to note suffers hence your speed suffers (that's what seems to be happening to Al in this video). But I would hardly have the need to play anything else I think they're the best acoustic guitars without a question.
Like he was "struggling" through his performance, lol. That was fucking flawless, you can say whatever the fuck you want about his Ovation he's light years better than you'll ever be on guitar.
GoMiGman
No, you shut the fuck up, you're the one who blatantly called out his little "glitch". Enjoy the performance and appreciate the music for what it is worth, Al Di Meola is one of the world's greatest guitarists. Peace
Noah Nattress lol! I did call out the glitch and if you were able to counter it intelligently then give it your best shot but obviously you can't - therefore - shut the fuck up! :)
***** You built every guitar for Al between '93 and '97? Well, you realize this is the internet and anyone can claim anything, right? But I'll certainly take your word for it and I appreciate you commenting politely unlike some of these other individuals. He's even mentioned on one of his other videos that the style and sound he looks for can't be played on a Martin like you mentioned so you're absolutely correct with that. That being said, what gets lost in all of this is that this was no knock on Al or Ovation. If anything, Al Di Meola is my favorite guitarist and I've been playing Ovations since 1986 when I bought my first shallow body sunburst cutaway, I believe it was a Celebrity and later gave it to my brother. Since then, I've bought 5 Ovations and my last one is this Al Di Meola signature Custom Legend and it came with the action really high and super difficult to play out of the case. So I pulled out all but the thinnest of shims under the bridge pick-up to lower the action and it was much better but still a little higher than all the other Ovations I have and that's what prompted me to make the comment. It seems very obvious to me (I've seen him 5 times) that he was frustrated in this video and if you look at the end after he finished the song, he looks over and makes some comment that again appears to show frustration. Even his triplets were not the usual Di Meola perfection. I could be wrong, anyone is more than welcome to offer their opinion and correct me and I'd actually like to hear what you think.
what song are these?
Orient blue + Azzura + Fantasia Suite
Whats the last peice ?
Youssef Omar : Bill's Barroom Suite
NO! NORMAL
Fantasia Suite For Two Guitars
watch?v=8zf0uW3EwOQ
my favorite !
I never understood why he played an Ovation. They sound plastic because they are plastic!
Doug Davis When he played the full body versions back in the 70s and 80s the recording’s were incredible. Tones were rich and fat. But the cutaway has a thinner sound.
Well I wish my guitar sounded like his. As for the playing, this is unreal. Absolutely love this.