I had that experience with Al when RTF played at Temple U Mitten hall with Taj Mahal .Chic Corea showed up and told me how the keyboards would be set up and I helped load in and set up. 1974.During the show Al let me hold his Les Paul and bring out the Ovation during his solo. Many thanks for the kindness he showed I am inspired forever.
Lifelong guitarist. I heard Al's name my entire adult life, but I just never found time to listen to his music because there's just so much out there. This guy's enthusiasm is infectious. My inspiration is renewed, and I am really enjoying his music.
Wow.....Al opened up to you like I have never heard him do before. He’s in a good place and you allowed him to feel safe and just be himself. Well done!
I will always be a fan of Al Di Meola. I remember his amazing instructional video, the one with the pink background. I tried to learn as much as I could in my twenties. And of course, his incredible music.
Have long been not just an admirer of Al DiMeola but a huge fan of his music. For a long time I really knew nothing about him other than the music I'd heard. Lately I've been listening to a number of interviews I've found of his and my admiration and appreciation of what he does has just grown. I'm totally in awe of what he does with guitar, not least his technique but his rhythmic and harmonic sensibility just floors me. I think there are but a handful of players who occupy the same level of proficiency, but seem to have graduated beyond mastery of their instrument to some other level - John Mclaughlin, Pat Metheny, the late and much missed Jeff Beck. I find it so fascinating that Al is such a fan of the music I grew up listening to and loving, pop music really, Beatles and more. Also hearing of some of the personal challenges he's faced just makes him seem more human, with a genuine warmth and enthusiasm. He also makes some very pertinent observations about the technology we all seem wedded to, and often to our detriment. Thanks for posting such a great interview Craig. Really love what you're doing.
Fabulous conversation. I too suffer from severe tinnitus which is awful because one tends to play music loud to mask the shrieking (which just makes the shrieking worse).
thanks for this interview. i ditched my smartphone last year (i realized i had an addiction to devices), and this past month ive been considering ditching my computer for some time too. a thought i had recently was 'no one i've ever admired had the internet or computer growing up.' this finally sealed it for me, im ditching my computer now as well, at least for 6 months. im 36 and i can honestly say ive lost a solid 10 years of my life probably just to surfing. i would be so much further in life. i cant get that time back. but i can choose what i do until my death. please wish me luck, im going to woodshed on my guitar playing. thank you.
HEY DUDE, LATE TO THE PARTY ON THIS ONE, TOO, BUT... wanted to tell you how you knocked out of the park with this interview. These are so inspiring, Craig. I want you to know how much these interviews mean to me. Al is so spot on when he talks about how computers and smart phones are draining our time to create and practice and learn the correct way. It's keeping us from listening to recordings like we used to. Being much older now and just recently getting back into playing guitar and watching these podcasts, I'm hearing the music differently. It's about listening to it correctly. It's like Al said, we can't go back, but we have lost something. I'm not even 20 minutes into this and have enough inspiration for the day. AND Al talking about the record store. Did you see his eyes light up about that. Well, I did. Such a simple time when people used to dig in deep to music. Thanks again, Craig
I guess the fact that Al had a full beard from the time he started to become famous , made it seem like he was a bit older than he was back then (70's) . Funny thing is , now , he hardly looks his age at all . Amazing musician .
Absolutely loved this interview! I've been fortunate to have seen Al with RTF in those early days as well as his Trio tour and many solo shows at the Iridium and in the Northeast. He signed my '77 Les Paul on the Opus tour in New Hampshire right under Les Paul's inscription. Keep picking' guys! Rob K.
Sadly, I discovered today from reading his FB page that Al had all of the remaining tour dates for this year canceled, because of heath issues. It appears that he may have suffered a heart attack in Europe a few weeks ago and was rushed to a hospital. I wish him a speedy recovery.
I remember the first time I heard Al. It changed my life as a guitar player. It was 1980 or 1981, I was at a house party and as soon as the album started I was locked in. I had to know everything about him. So that began the chasing down his records. At that time or shortly after CD’s came about as the go to media for music. So I had the records and the CD’s. That’s also where I learned of Chick Corea, John McGlothlin, Jon Luc Ponty, David Sanborn, and on and on... (I know I didn’t spell their names correctly). So the last ten years or so I’ve steered away from Al and all that but it never left me all together. This was very informative and inspiring. Thank you. Hats off to you... 🎸🤓🎸🇺🇸☮️
Absolutely brilliant...the best interview with a musical giant that I have ever seen or heard. Congratulations!!! Real depth and inside information from one of my all time favourites!!
Great interview! Never heard Al open up so much and share so many great stories and thoughts! Appreciate his thoughts on articulation and cool that he made an exception for Holdsworth. Thought it was funny when Al was talking about his own approach being unorthodox compared to people like Holdsworth because I don't think many of us think of Holdsworth being orthodox in any way. Doubt Al does either. But did get what he was saying about his own playing having unorthodox rhythms. I've always loved Al DiMeola's articulation and rhythmic sense partly because I can't do it but mostly because it's really beautiful and special!
I thought the same regarding Allan Holdsworth, whom was arguably the greatest musician of all time. Highly subjective I know but its how I see it at the moment.
Craig - Thank you for conducting such a beautiful interview. Al's music literally stopped me in my tracks at the age of 14, something I only imagined was possible but hadn't yet encountered in the physical. It came at the absolute perfect time and set the course for me, especially as a composer. Thank you for sharing this inspired conversation. The ripples will continue...
I'm 69 and I remember back in the early 1970s.................not sure what the parent show was called but it was Barry Miles and playing with him was his brother Terry Silverlight [Drums] Eric Kloss [Sax] and......................a VERY young AL DIMEOLA on guitar. They were playing a piece by Barry Miles called "THE FUSION SUITE" and they had other musicians with them as well. That was something they apparently did for Public Television PBS,I saw it here in Minnesota on what was then known as KTCA. [Now TPT] Those guys were on fire and that performance just blew me away, I had never seen or heard anything like that in my life before. Al was playing these incredible guitar lines from beyond............... how was he able to play like this? he was obviously very young., all these years I have never forgot that show. I went to a concert Al was giving in Minneapolis and after we talked and I mentioned that show to him and he said you mean you saw that here in Minnesota?, and I said yeah and how much it inspired me. I talked to Terry Silverlight to see if his brother Barry had a tape of that show and he said he did long ago but he didn't think he had it anymore. Wonder if Al has it? It sure would be cool to see it again after all these years. Big fan of Barry and Terry's music as well, those guys just like Al had "IT"......................genius musicians.......right from the start. Al is such a cool guy and down to earth person. Love this interview thanks for doing it with Al, he seems to enjoy it as well.
Mr. Al DiMeola! Great interview. One of my all-time heroes. A big influence on my playing/ picking style. I've enjoyed so much this interview that I have listened to it twice already. Thank you, Craig :)
Great to Hear Al open up with the real deal details-Land of the Midnight sun will always be one of the finest examples a young gun absolutely on FIRE !!!!
Thank you for sharing this conversation. As the hours and years of dedicated practice and performance eventually take their physical toll, it is good to know that composition is still there as an avenue for enduring expression of the musical mind and soul. It is so good to hear Al talk about his dedication to writing. In my own small way, I find myself in a similar place, so I appreciate hearing him discuss his challenges as well as his love for composition. As I get older, I find that I get more satisfaction out of hearing a performance of something that I wrote than I do from playing (and I love playing). There is something that we can keep getting BETTER at as we age.... Thanks again to both of you.
I always though Al to be some what of an enigma as a human, a no compromising hard ass. This interview really afforded me an insight into Al's humanity that shatter my long held perceptions about his personality. Thanks again!
Great interview! Love Al... Not surprised about John McLaughlin... I had a great friendship with Larry Coryell and I can tell you he was nothing like that...
Peter Dankelson is the young guitarist with one ear. Amazing that Al would view his online videos. I would be honoured if he watched me play guitar. Interestingly enough, the early 1980s hard rock guitar bands like Van Halen, AC/DC, and Ratt were some of my influences. But when I first heard Passion, Grace, and Fire on early afternoon ABC TV PM5544 test pattern audio, I became an Al Di Meola solo, and guitar trio fan. I also have ear noise, but no where as loud as Al does. Fortunately I stopped playing in bands about 30 years ago. There is no free lunch when it comes to life's excesses like the Rn'R lifestyle. Fortunately I didn't go down that path. For me it was 100% about the music, writing, recording, and playing on stage.
Great interview! I loved your questions. Al is one of those players that you really want to pick apart and learn about, I couldn’t stop listening, lol.
I have never heard Al open up like this before. I have seen and read everything and he really comes across as gracious, grounded and humble in these 2 hours. I met him after a show briefly and he was very nice. I have a pick he played the show with. I think it is still on fire. HIs Tinnitus scares me as mine has flared up after 10 years and is giving me a hard time. I found some wristband device which is supposed to reduce it. I am about to order it. I found diet, sleep and stress make it much worse. I wish I could speak with him for 2 minutes about it and bounce ideas off him. Al..hit me up!
Wow...open, happy,funny...best interview ive heard from him by far. I'd live to enable to tell him what his playing...how it inspired me. I was 15 when he joined RTF. Elegant Gypsy....man, we wore it out...NOBODY could be that good,and yet he was...is. Thanks so much for another great one,Craig.
Been revisiting Al’s catalogue and interviews. That story about his dad building him a studio resonated with me. I was really into recording and mixing and my step father was an engineer. And we built some real,y cool stuff
Woah what a great insightful interview my friend. Loved every second of it ! Well done. You have a new subscriber! Get John McLaughlin on man !! 🙏🔆🔆🔆🔆🙏
Great interviews likely the best ever of my hero !!! I have been waiting for Sat Night in Sfo....... like me must be an army of thousands..... hope that this is not delayed due to the 0.01% of audiophile who want to use a 40 Usd CD or vinyl to A/B a 1000 usd cable 😀😀
Everything Al says about the music business is absolutely true. The glory days of the record industry are long over. Great music requires a great music culture. How is this going to develop in the future? Where is there a real music scene with something interesting happening? Music needs some geography. L.A. had its scene; New York had it's scene; Jersey and Philly and the Bay Area and Chicago and Cleveland and Toronto and Seattle and Portland had their scenes.
Agreed the current iteration of the music world, is feeding from the achievements of the past without actually taking it forwards spiritually and with new innovations musically. Like Al says, there are some incredible jaw dropping technical players, with a ton of music theory to hand etc. However I have yet to hear any of the current generation do something that matters, that has true soul and produce music from a place that is natural. The past twenty years seem very plastic and virtual, as though it was written using artificial intelligence rather than living sentient souls on a journey.
Trying to get the following message to Al, Bernie or sky walker with no results, but as a huge fan I think it is important regarding the issue at 1:42:42 1. The opening track of Friday Night in Sanfrancisco has a perfect splice near the 5 minute mark. Basically the live video of SATURDAY night proves this which can be seen on YOutube. In addition Al has an edited run right before this. This is the only portion of the Saturday performance that is used on the original 1981 record, however the tune Short tales of the black Forrest is very short in time lengths compared to any live versions known. I believe this track was also spliced to remove unwanted material. 2. The piece called Guardian Angels was recorded in studio and mastered elsewhere and included on the original Friday night record. The TUNING of the guitars of this piece matches the TUNING of the guitars on the rest of the album. This tuning is about 1/4 pitch sharp of A440. That means that the spliced and edited master and Guardian Angels were mixed to a single source that was mastered altogether such that the playback SPEED has been increased about 2.9%. 3. Miles Davis kind of blue also had this pitch/speed issue but upon subsequent remastering was corrected (slowed down to concert pitch and original tempo). No such attempt to fix Friday Night has ever been made that I am aware of. The Splendido Clip Al shared was NOT from the Saturday video available on line, but a different performance. However it is running at normal pitch A440 and tempo. All of this can be checked by comparing the Mediterranean Sundance peformance on youtube to the original Friday night Record or remasters. This all means that the AMBIENT SOUND of Al’s tapes will not ever match the original Friday Night Ambient sound, UNLESS you guys speed up the playback 2.9% or so, pitch included. Hope this helps.
Hey al, you’re friend Michael B, built my speakers he was a friend of a friend, I was also at the joint in the woods in Nj He had a reel to reel, & was recording RTF, & his beautiful wife sang on you’re album, I have all you’re albums, & cds, I’m 70 & have a pair a magnepans, turntable I sit in the sweet spot and I’m in heaven, I think Michael B had his speaker business not far from Nabisco in Jersey, we lost so much between Chick & paco. I remember one band from Jersey called thruth, the music scene in Jersey was awesome. Love you & your playing
Huge DiMeola fan., WinterLand Opening for Weather Report. Carlos Santana, the encore. Carlos pulled thru. Davies, the Trio II, this Steve Morse, opening 'act'' Encore with him was great.
Like the mormons I was ensnared over 30 yrs now 70 happy and free 4. yrs praise the Lord xxxWe enjoyed... we were watching Michael Jaco and gene Decode # 0014 and you were below that site probably no connection must watch it will change your life forever xx
Keep-on being funny 🤣 and down to earth-true to your self and the Spirit-man who lives within-Praise HIM-He loves you enough to DIE for you, Al!!! Sweet dreams
I don’t know if Al remembers this, but his first gig with RTF was at a little jazz dinner club in Philly. Don’t remember the name. At that time, I was the classical music manager at an unbelievable record store called Franklin Music. I’d always get tickets from the label reps and jumped at the chance to see Chick. And I always got the best seat in the house. That night, my date and I were seated in the treble side crook of Chick’s grand. It was weird even for him. He’d look up and there I was and he’d shake his head. I hadn’t heard about Bill Conners leaving the band so I was kind of surprised to see Al. As I recall he had a Les Paul, a rented Twin and just a couple pedals. He played really well, especially considering how quietly they had to play. When Chick introduced the band and got to Al, you could really sense how pleased he was. He said that Al memorized the show in 3 days. Truly a stunning accomplishment.
I remember Franklin Music.I was a kid from the suburbs wet behind the ears and stumbled into RTF show with Taj Mahal at Temple by accident. Big world out there.
Definitely a good marriage is the greatest and a real blessing, thank God I never had to experience the nightmare of a bad one. This guy really looks good for his age..like really good too bad about the issue with the ear. Terrible : ( In the 1980's my dad had a deli in midtown NY City..my wife and I worked the night shift, we got married in 1982 or 3 (opps : ) And I used to bring my guitar in to work every day and practice on my break or when it got slow. I would not leave the house unless I practiced a minimum 1 1/2 hrs. If I missed one day I had to make it up the next day. One day one of our friendly customers a lady, must have thought what she heard was decent and said oh..you play guitar. My boyfriend is looking for a guitar player. I said oh wow.. Then she said have you heard of him his name is Al DiMeola. And I was like oh no I can't play with Al DiMeola : ) Thinking back I think maybe my voice back then may have been of some use : )
For years, DiMeola has been talking this garbage that rock guitarists don't use their 4th finger (pinky), but that's far from true. He also criticizes rock guitar players for not incorporating major and minor scales as well as modes in their playing. But what he doesn't understand is that blues serves as the basis for rock music, and blues music is a music theory unto itself. There are blues scales and even though they don't involve the use of as many fingers as the "standard" music major/minor scales, a fourth finger is used. Also, many rock guitarists use the dorian mode, and players like Carlos Santana have used aeolian and mixolydian modes in their playing.
I got in trouble 6th grade tapping out rhythms on my desktop like Al was referring to . Yep, I have that internal metronome for syncopation and some classically trained musicians I've played with just don't get it unless you spell it out for them. It's a Gift
Al, add a shot of Ny-quil to the previously aforementioned "toddy" thanks 👍😌 for mentioning the greeneville 3 in 1- Maybe, I won't wake-sleep with a Hall's Honey-Lemon-help that cough! You rock 🙌🙏❣️🤣 BLESS-you, Thanks to JESUS, Father God and His Holy Spirit Presence!!!
Please share with Al that I am a sleep biology expert. Although melatonin is good and can work, it needs to be taken right after sundown to mimic the natural melatonin cycle. The lower the dose the better.
Hes a 100050% right about cellphones computers? It's true very very true. It's a different environment in the studio now.Hes a 100050% right about cellphones computers? It's true very? Very true. It's a different environment in the studio now when is As well as live.... Creativity process mental attention span is way off these days....
Thanks for listening! Subscribe & check out the rest of our interviews here: ruclips.net/user/EveryoneLovesGuitar 🎶 💥 🎸
Craig, Please interview Billy Sherwood (Very talented musician, bass player, multi-instrumentalist now replacing Chris Squire in Yes)
I had that experience with Al when RTF played at Temple U Mitten hall with Taj Mahal .Chic Corea showed up and told me how the keyboards would be set up and I helped load in and set up. 1974.During the show Al let me hold his Les Paul and bring out the Ovation during his solo. Many thanks for the kindness he showed I am inspired forever.
Lifelong guitarist. I heard Al's name my entire adult life, but I just never found time to listen to his music because there's just so much out there.
This guy's enthusiasm is infectious. My inspiration is renewed, and I am really enjoying his music.
Al is a legend and wise beyond his years. Love him!
Saw the "Passion Grace and Fire" Tour, UofA campus. This dude named Steve Morse opened and Al invited him on stage during the encore. Geez Louise!
Wow! what a show!
Wow.....Al opened up to you like I have never heard him do before.
He’s in a good place and you allowed him to feel safe and just be himself.
Well done!
Thanks for your kind words ate3much and glad you enjoyed this 👍🏻🎸♫ subscribe: elg.fun/subscribe
This popped up on my feed this morning. One of the best interviews with AD and so happy to have listened. Thank you!
Wow, thank you!
I will always be a fan of Al Di Meola. I remember his amazing instructional video, the one with the pink background. I tried to learn as much as I could in my twenties. And of course, his incredible music.
Right on @ClaudioQuartaroneMusic, thanks for listening! 🎸💥🙌🏻
Have long been not just an admirer of Al DiMeola but a huge fan of his music. For a long time I really knew nothing about him other than the music I'd heard. Lately I've been listening to a number of interviews I've found of his and my admiration and appreciation of what he does has just grown. I'm totally in awe of what he does with guitar, not least his technique but his rhythmic and harmonic sensibility just floors me. I think there are but a handful of players who occupy the same level of proficiency, but seem to have graduated beyond mastery of their instrument to some other level - John Mclaughlin, Pat Metheny, the late and much missed Jeff Beck. I find it so fascinating that Al is such a fan of the music I grew up listening to and loving, pop music really, Beatles and more. Also hearing of some of the personal challenges he's faced just makes him seem more human, with a genuine warmth and enthusiasm. He also makes some very pertinent observations about the technology we all seem wedded to, and often to our detriment. Thanks for posting such a great interview Craig. Really love what you're doing.
Wow, thanks for your kind words @arthurwilson1966 and glad you enjoyed this 👍🏻🎸♫ All the best... CG
Fabulous conversation. I too suffer from severe tinnitus which is awful because one tends to play music loud to mask the shrieking (which just makes the shrieking worse).
Man that's rough... sorry to hear that. Thanks for coming on the Live Stream and have a great New Year!
me too, and I also play guitar
Amazing that he cites Egberto Gizmonti and Ralph Towner as being inspirational to him. Both brilliant. What a great interview. thanks!
Thanks Mark G, Rock on! 🎸🙌🏻🔥🎶 subscribe: elg.fun/subscribe
thanks for this interview. i ditched my smartphone last year (i realized i had an addiction to devices), and this past month ive been considering ditching my computer for some time too. a thought i had recently was 'no one i've ever admired had the internet or computer growing up.' this finally sealed it for me, im ditching my computer now as well, at least for 6 months. im 36 and i can honestly say ive lost a solid 10 years of my life probably just to surfing. i would be so much further in life. i cant get that time back. but i can choose what i do until my death. please wish me luck, im going to woodshed on my guitar playing. thank you.
Very cool, thanks for sharing that, @user-wm4bh8jn1d 🙌🏻 💥 🎉
Wow, what a great interview..jus found it. Been a fan since 69/70 or so..
Right on @johnfeole1971, thanks for listening! 🎸💥🙌🏻
HEY DUDE, LATE TO THE PARTY ON THIS ONE, TOO, BUT... wanted to tell you how you knocked out of the park with this interview. These are so inspiring, Craig. I want you to know how much these interviews mean to me. Al is so spot on when he talks about how computers and smart phones are draining our time to create and practice and learn the correct way. It's keeping us from listening to recordings like we used to. Being much older now and just recently getting back into playing guitar and watching these podcasts, I'm hearing the music differently. It's about listening to it correctly. It's like Al said, we can't go back, but we have lost something. I'm not even 20 minutes into this and have enough inspiration for the day. AND Al talking about the record store. Did you see his eyes light up about that. Well, I did. Such a simple time when people used to dig in deep to music. Thanks again, Craig
When Di Meola appeared on the guitar scene he just destroyed everything that was played before !!! Genius ! Simple !!! Long live Master Al !!!
Yes, I agree wes worach - thanks for listening! subscribe: elg.fun/subscribe
I guess the fact that Al had a full beard from the time he started to become famous , made it seem like he was a bit older than he was back then (70's) . Funny thing is , now , he hardly looks his age at all .
Amazing musician .
Yes, I agree hazor777 - thanks for listening!
Renewed fanship. This interview has now retasked my ipod. Al DiMeola.
Hearing his guitar on Friday night in San Fran as a young player was when I “graduated”. Changed my life forever. Thanks man
Thank you for listening Jimbob C! 🎉🔥😇 subscribe: elg.fun/subscribe
Now, THIS is some interview !!! I've watched dozens of such but this one is really worth the time. Thanks so much for this.
Thanks for your kind words @adrian1072 and glad you enjoyed this 👍🏻🎸♫
Absolutely loved this interview! I've been fortunate to have seen Al with RTF in those early days as well as his Trio tour and many solo shows at the Iridium and in the Northeast. He signed my '77 Les Paul on the Opus tour in New Hampshire right under Les Paul's inscription. Keep picking' guys! Rob K.
Very cool, thanks for sharing that, Robert Kluger 🙌🏻💥🎉 subscribe: elg.fun/subscribe
Al my hero for over 40 years now. Best interview I ever heard. Great job
Thanks Jo Mayer, Rock on! 🎸🙌🏻🔥🎶 subscribe: elg.fun/subscribe
The great Bob Gaurdio..I loved the bass player in that group
Wow.. Just watched the first 5 minutes and it was already gold… 👍 gonna make some popcorn and enjoy this! Thanks for this channel and for Al!
Awesome! Thank you, Juan!
Sadly, I discovered today from reading his FB page that Al had all of the remaining tour dates for this year canceled, because of heath issues. It appears that he may have suffered a heart attack in Europe a few weeks ago and was rushed to a hospital. I wish him a speedy recovery.
I remember the first time I heard Al. It changed my life as a guitar player. It was 1980 or 1981, I was at a house party and as soon as the album started I was locked in. I had to know everything about him. So that began the chasing down his records. At that time or shortly after CD’s came about as the go to media for music. So I had the records and the CD’s. That’s also where I learned of Chick Corea, John McGlothlin, Jon Luc Ponty, David Sanborn, and on and on... (I know I didn’t spell their names correctly). So the last ten years or so I’ve steered away from Al and all that but it never left me all together. This was very informative and inspiring. Thank you. Hats off to you...
🎸🤓🎸🇺🇸☮️
Thank you for listening GSBGuitars GSB! 🎉🔥😇
Absolutely brilliant...the best interview with a musical giant that I have ever seen or heard. Congratulations!!! Real depth and inside information from one of my all time favourites!!
Thanks for your kind words Dave Stephens and glad you enjoyed this 👍🏻🎸♫
Great! What a legacy this guitarist has given the world. All the great guitarist on RUclips should listen up and take note. Love your channel 🤐
Thanks Mike Pinion, Rock on! 🎸🙌🏻🔥🎶
@@EveryoneLovesGuitar , if you look on the map, I’m straight across from you. Sebastian Florida
@@kmichaelp4508 Ha, that you are!
Great interview! Never heard Al open up so much and share so many great stories and thoughts! Appreciate his thoughts on articulation and cool that he made an exception for Holdsworth. Thought it was funny when Al was talking about his own approach being unorthodox compared to people like Holdsworth because I don't think many of us think of Holdsworth being orthodox in any way. Doubt Al does either. But did get what he was saying about his own playing having unorthodox rhythms. I've always loved Al DiMeola's articulation and rhythmic sense partly because I can't do it but mostly because it's really beautiful and special!
Thank you for listening Chris Biesterfeldt! 🎉🔥😇 subscribe: elg.fun/subscribe
I thought the same regarding Allan Holdsworth, whom was arguably the greatest musician of all time. Highly subjective I know but its how I see it at the moment.
Craig - Thank you for conducting such a beautiful interview. Al's music literally stopped me in my tracks at the age of 14, something I only imagined was possible but hadn't yet encountered in the physical. It came at the absolute perfect time and set the course for me, especially as a composer. Thank you for sharing this inspired conversation. The ripples will continue...
Thanks for your kind words Sindelman Music and glad you enjoyed this 👍🏻🎸♫
I'm 69 and I remember back in the early 1970s.................not sure what the parent show was called but it was Barry Miles and playing with him was his brother Terry Silverlight [Drums] Eric Kloss [Sax] and......................a VERY young AL DIMEOLA on guitar. They were playing a piece by Barry Miles called "THE FUSION SUITE" and they had other musicians with them as well. That was something they apparently did for Public Television PBS,I saw it here in Minnesota on what was then known as KTCA. [Now TPT] Those guys were on fire and that performance just blew me away, I had never seen or heard anything like that in my life before. Al was playing these incredible guitar lines from beyond............... how was he able to play like this? he was obviously very young., all these years I have never forgot that show. I went to a concert Al was giving in Minneapolis and after we talked and I mentioned that show to him and he said you mean you saw that here in Minnesota?, and I said yeah and how much it inspired me. I talked to Terry Silverlight to see if his brother Barry had a tape of that show and he said he did long ago but he didn't think he had it anymore. Wonder if Al has it? It sure would be cool to see it again after all these years. Big fan of Barry and Terry's music as well, those guys just like Al had "IT"......................genius musicians.......right from the start. Al is such a cool guy and down to earth person. Love this interview thanks for doing it with Al, he seems to enjoy it as well.
Thank you for listening G Schelin! 🎉🔥😇
Great inspirational.
Just FAB conversation. Thank you both -
You're welcome, Steini and thanks for listening 🔥🎶🙌🏻 ... subscribe @ elg.fun/subscribe
Mr. Al DiMeola! Great interview. One of my all-time heroes. A big influence on my playing/ picking style. I've enjoyed so much this interview that I have listened to it twice already. Thank you, Craig :)
Glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for listening as always, Jon !
Great to Hear Al open up with the real deal details-Land of the Midnight sun will always be one of the finest examples a young gun absolutely on FIRE !!!!
Stellar work on this, Craig. Thank you.
You're welcome, David McCain and thanks for listening 🔥🎶🙌🏻 ...
Thank you for sharing this conversation. As the hours and years of dedicated practice and performance eventually take their physical toll, it is good to know that composition is still there as an avenue for enduring expression of the musical mind and soul. It is so good to hear Al talk about his dedication to writing. In my own small way, I find myself in a similar place, so I appreciate hearing him discuss his challenges as well as his love for composition. As I get older, I find that I get more satisfaction out of hearing a performance of something that I wrote than I do from playing (and I love playing). There is something that we can keep getting BETTER at as we age.... Thanks again to both of you.
You're welcome, Piktor Music and thanks for listening 🔥🎶🙌🏻 ... subscribe @ elg.fun/subscribe
I always though Al to be some what of an enigma as a human, a no compromising hard ass. This interview really afforded me an insight into Al's humanity that shatter my long held perceptions about his personality. Thanks again!
Thanks Tris, I actually felt the same way...
Great interview!
tinnitus can also be related to depression, it could be trauma response from his near death experience
Great interview! Love Al... Not surprised about John McLaughlin... I had a great friendship with Larry Coryell and I can tell you he was nothing like that...
I learned so much
Peter Dankelson is the young guitarist with one ear. Amazing that Al would view his online videos. I would be honoured if he watched me play guitar. Interestingly enough, the early 1980s hard rock guitar bands like Van Halen, AC/DC, and Ratt were some of my influences. But when I first heard Passion, Grace, and Fire on early afternoon ABC TV PM5544 test pattern audio, I became an Al Di Meola solo, and guitar trio fan. I also have ear noise, but no where as loud as Al does. Fortunately I stopped playing in bands about 30 years ago. There is no free lunch when it comes to life's excesses like the Rn'R lifestyle. Fortunately I didn't go down that path. For me it was 100% about the music, writing, recording, and playing on stage.
Glad you enjoyed the interview @FrozenDoberman, and thanks for listening 💥 🎶 🎸 !
Great interview, one of the best Al has done.
Thank you for listening Chris Natoli! 🎉🔥😇 subscribe: elg.fun/subscribe
Great interview! I loved your questions. Al is one of those players that you really want to pick apart and learn about, I couldn’t stop listening, lol.
Awesome, thank you!
I have never heard Al open up like this before. I have seen and read everything and he really comes across as gracious, grounded and humble in these 2 hours. I met him after a show briefly and he was very nice. I have a pick he played the show with. I think it is still on fire. HIs Tinnitus scares me as mine has flared up after 10 years and is giving me a hard time. I found some wristband device which is supposed to reduce it. I am about to order it. I found diet, sleep and stress make it much worse. I wish I could speak with him for 2 minutes about it and bounce ideas off him. Al..hit me up!
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Wow...open, happy,funny...best interview ive heard from him by far. I'd live to enable to tell him what his playing...how it inspired me. I was 15 when he joined RTF. Elegant Gypsy....man, we wore it out...NOBODY could be that good,and yet he was...is. Thanks so much for another great one,Craig.
You're welcome, Roger Williams and thanks for listening 🔥🎶🙌🏻 ...
Spain.
Been revisiting Al’s catalogue and interviews. That story about his dad building him a studio resonated with me. I was really into recording and mixing and my step father was an engineer. And we built some real,y cool stuff
Cool Red Out Glad you liked this and thanks for listening! 👂 🎶 🎸
Wrote to al dimeola in 1977 and wrote back . Gave me advice on guitar play all types of music. I think he lived in tenafly.
Woah what a great insightful interview my friend. Loved every second of it !
Well done. You have a new subscriber! Get John McLaughlin on man !!
🙏🔆🔆🔆🔆🙏
Thanks for your kind words Simon Pires and glad you enjoyed this 👍🏻🎸♫ Welcome aboard!
Best Al interview! Thanks
Wow, thanks - glad you enjoyed this!
GREAT INTERVIEW
Love him tons first shred player still ferocious
Great interviews likely the best ever of my hero !!! I have been waiting for Sat Night in Sfo....... like me must be an army of thousands..... hope that this is not delayed due to the 0.01% of audiophile who want to use a 40 Usd CD or vinyl to A/B a 1000 usd cable 😀😀
Yes, I agree Paolo Montrone - thanks for listening! subscribe: elg.fun/subscribe
Another great job sir your channel is excellent
Thank you kindly Bart, glad you are digging it!
Wow, how awesome! Thank you
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GREAT interview!!!
Thank you for listening Jose Zambrano Cassella! 🎉🔥😇 subscribe: elg.fun/subscribe
John Mclaughlin button 44:00
AL we love You
Everything Al says about the music business is absolutely true. The glory days of the record industry are long over. Great music requires a great music culture. How is this going to develop in the future? Where is there a real music scene with something interesting happening? Music needs some geography. L.A. had its scene; New York had it's scene; Jersey and Philly and the Bay Area and Chicago and Cleveland and Toronto and Seattle and Portland had their scenes.
Agreed the current iteration of the music world, is feeding from the achievements of the past without actually taking it forwards spiritually and with new innovations musically. Like Al says, there are some incredible jaw dropping technical players, with a ton of music theory to hand etc. However I have yet to hear any of the current generation do something that matters, that has true soul and produce music from a place that is natural. The past twenty years seem very plastic and virtual, as though it was written using artificial intelligence rather than living sentient souls on a journey.
Trying to get the following message to Al, Bernie or sky walker with no results, but as a huge fan I think it is important regarding the issue at 1:42:42
1. The opening track of Friday Night in Sanfrancisco has a perfect splice near the 5 minute mark. Basically the live video of SATURDAY night proves this which can be seen on YOutube. In addition Al has an edited run right before this. This is the only portion of the Saturday performance that is used on the original 1981 record, however the tune Short tales of the black Forrest is very short in time lengths compared to any live versions known. I believe this track was also spliced to remove unwanted material.
2. The piece called Guardian Angels was recorded in studio and mastered elsewhere and included on the original Friday night record. The TUNING of the guitars of this piece matches the TUNING of the guitars on the rest of the album. This tuning is about 1/4 pitch sharp of A440. That means that the spliced and edited master and Guardian Angels were mixed to a single source that was mastered altogether such that the playback SPEED has been increased about 2.9%.
3. Miles Davis kind of blue also had this pitch/speed issue but upon subsequent remastering was corrected (slowed down to concert pitch and original tempo). No such attempt to fix Friday Night has ever been made that I am aware of. The Splendido Clip Al shared was NOT from the Saturday video available on line, but a different performance. However it is running at normal pitch A440 and tempo. All of this can be checked by comparing the Mediterranean Sundance peformance on youtube to the original Friday night Record or remasters.
This all means that the AMBIENT SOUND of Al’s tapes will not ever match the original Friday Night Ambient sound, UNLESS you guys speed up the playback 2.9% or so, pitch included. Hope this helps.
Hey al, you’re friend Michael B, built my speakers he was a friend of a friend, I was also at the joint in the woods in
Nj He had a reel to reel, & was recording RTF, & his beautiful wife sang on you’re album, I have all you’re albums, & cds, I’m 70 & have a pair a magnepans, turntable I sit in the sweet spot and I’m in heaven, I think Michael B had his speaker business not far from Nabisco in Jersey, we lost so much between Chick & paco. I remember one band from Jersey called thruth, the music scene in Jersey was awesome.
Love you & your playing
Glad you enjoyed the interview Chris bayardelle, and thanks for listening! 👍🏻🎶🎉 subscribe: elg.fun/subscribe
Huge DiMeola fan., WinterLand Opening for Weather Report.
Carlos Santana, the encore. Carlos pulled thru.
Davies, the Trio II, this Steve Morse, opening 'act''
Encore with him was great.
Right on glen kepic, thanks for listening! 🎸💥🙌🏻 subscribe: elg.fun/subscribe
Goat
Like the mormons I was ensnared over 30 yrs now 70 happy and free 4. yrs praise the Lord xxxWe enjoyed... we were watching Michael Jaco and gene Decode # 0014 and you were below that site probably no connection must watch it will change your life forever xx
Keep-on being funny 🤣 and down to earth-true to your self and the Spirit-man who lives within-Praise HIM-He loves you enough to DIE for you, Al!!! Sweet dreams
What happened to Al in RTF 'Returns'? I didn't understood that part. Got lost in translation.
I don’t know if Al remembers this, but his first gig with RTF was at a little jazz dinner club in Philly. Don’t remember the name. At that time, I was the classical music manager at an unbelievable record store called Franklin Music. I’d always get tickets from the label reps and jumped at the chance to see Chick. And I always got the best seat in the house. That night, my date and I were seated in the treble side crook of Chick’s grand. It was weird even for him. He’d look up and there I was and he’d shake his head.
I hadn’t heard about Bill Conners leaving the band so I was kind of surprised to see Al. As I recall he had a Les Paul, a rented Twin and just a couple pedals. He played really well, especially considering how quietly they had to play. When Chick introduced the band and got to Al, you could really sense how pleased he was. He said that Al memorized the show in 3 days. Truly a stunning accomplishment.
I remember Franklin Music.I was a kid from the suburbs wet behind the ears and stumbled into RTF show with Taj Mahal at Temple by accident.
Big world out there.
And here he tells, like in many interviews ,first gig with RTF was in Carnegie Hall.
Elegant gypsy
Definitely a good marriage is the greatest and a real blessing, thank God I never had to experience the nightmare of a bad one.
This guy really looks good for his age..like really good too bad about the issue with the ear. Terrible : (
In the 1980's my dad had a deli in midtown NY City..my wife and I worked the night shift, we got married in 1982 or 3 (opps : )
And I used to bring my guitar in to work every day and practice on my break or when it got slow.
I would not leave the house unless I practiced a minimum 1 1/2 hrs. If I missed one day I had to make it up the next day.
One day one of our friendly customers a lady, must have thought what she heard was decent and said oh..you play guitar.
My boyfriend is looking for a guitar player. I said oh wow.. Then she said have you heard of him his name is Al DiMeola.
And I was like oh no I can't play with Al DiMeola : ) Thinking back I think maybe my voice back then may have been of some use : )
VERY cool story! Yeah I'd have shit myself if "Al DiMeola" had come out of her mouth! Thanks for listening :-)
Dark Eye Tango
Thumbs up 🤣🙏🎶😗 add Valerian root caps,Unison, ear plugs and a radio under the pillow!
Great idea!!
Says on wiki...
500 miles high was a bonus track.
For years, DiMeola has been talking this garbage that rock guitarists don't use their 4th finger (pinky), but that's far from true. He also criticizes rock guitar players for not incorporating major and minor scales as well as modes in their playing. But what he doesn't understand is that blues serves as the basis for rock music, and blues music is a music theory unto itself. There are blues scales and even though they don't involve the use of as many fingers as the "standard" music major/minor scales, a fourth finger is used. Also, many rock guitarists use the dorian mode, and players like Carlos Santana have used aeolian and mixolydian modes in their playing.
haha yes I'm learning Santana's Black Magic Woman right now!
I got in trouble 6th grade tapping out rhythms on my desktop like Al was referring to . Yep, I have that internal metronome for syncopation and some classically trained musicians I've played with just don't get it unless you spell it out for them.
It's a Gift
💜
Al, add a shot of Ny-quil to the previously aforementioned "toddy" thanks 👍😌 for mentioning the greeneville 3 in 1-
Maybe, I won't wake-sleep with a Hall's Honey-Lemon-help that cough! You rock 🙌🙏❣️🤣 BLESS-you, Thanks to JESUS, Father God and His Holy Spirit Presence!!!
AD observes many rock guitars don't use their fourth finger, which is true; also they hardly use their second finger as well... I try not to watch...
Haha yes, so true...!
Zoom in to Skywalker audio and help point out few example edits for you to communicate with your audiophile perspective to let it shine! 😎
Is it me or there is a really annoying noise when Al is talking? Like paper being scratched ? It makes the itw really hard to listen to…
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
8:00
10:00
Scrapping sound
You can't begin to write a piece of music with a melody? Tell that to McCartney who dreamed the melody of Yesterday.
Please share with Al that I am a sleep biology expert. Although melatonin is good and can work, it needs to be taken right after sundown to mimic the natural melatonin cycle. The lower the dose the better.
Who is RCF ?
“RTF” Return To Forever
Rob di nero do your research it depends on who you like to mix with xxx.
you know
21:35 Not surprising. Delusional kids imaginations of a junior Version of the grateful dead deceiving themselves. As the comet flew over the cricket.
Hes a 100050% right about cellphones computers? It's true very very true. It's a different environment in the studio now.Hes a 100050% right about cellphones computers? It's true very? Very true. It's a different environment in the studio now when is
As well as live....
Creativity process mental attention span is way off these days....
Yes, I agree @charleslambiase5670 - thanks for listening 💥 🎶 🎸 !
He takes himself really seriously. I would never want to meet him, unlike Herbie Hancock, Zawinul, Ron Carter etc.
Al should keep his mouth shut about politics,that's how he lost this longtime fan. I use to love him.Now stunad.
The Medical Medium reveals the cause/cure of tinnitus.
Thank you for listening @arelkay730! 🎉🔥😇
i heard Paco punched you out is that true
Amazing interview!
Thank you for listening Guitar/Tarantula Nerd! 🎉🔥😇 subscribe: elg.fun/subscribe