An acclaimed fusion guitarist, Al Di Meola first rose to prominence in the 1970s as a fiery jazz-rock pioneer before embracing a globally expansive mix of sounds. A key member of Chick Corea’s landmark fusion band Return to Forever, Di Meola established his reputation on many of the group’s classic dates before coming into his own on albums like 1977’s Elegant Gypsy and 1980’s Splendido Hotel. Along with tours in his all-star guitar trio with John McLaughlin and Paco de Lucia, Di Meola has collaborated on projects with luminaries like Stanley Clarke, Larry Coryell, Paul Simon, Luciano Pavarotti, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Charlie Haden, and others. He has continued to expand his sound on albums like 1990’s World Sinfonia, 2011’s Pursuit of Radical Rhapsody, and 2018’s Opus, balancing his fusion roots with forays into Argentinian tango and Spanish flamenco, as well as Middle Eastern, North African, and Afro-Cuban traditions. (by Matt Collar)
World Sinfonía III – The Grande Passion is an album by jazz guitarist Al Di Meola that was released in 2000.
A rich, moody tapestry with flashes of fire, this CD incorporates elements of jazz, fusion, classical, Latin, tango, and Middle Eastern music. Sounding like the romantic soundtrack to an excellent foreign film, it’s full of splendid moments, like the wash of colors on “Double Concerto,” a sinuous composition by Al di Meola’s “musical father and friend,” Astor Piazzolla. Di Meola interprets two more beauties from the late Argentine tango legend — the tender “Soledad” and the churning, incendiary “Libertango,” where he uses MIDI technology to approximate the classic bandoleon sound — and offers six of his own. One of them, the title track, could be the most gorgeous, soulful melody of 2000, stated in ways alternately delicate and powerful; when it finally crescendos it’s like the ocean lifting, with the sun sparkling on it.
His “Opus in Green,” written with fine Argentine pianist Mario Parmisano, is very Return to Forever-like. Di Meola has phenomenal technique and a gift for unhackneyed writing; his famous blistering runs are in here, but only when they further the music — not gratuitously added for their own sake. The arrangements by di Meola and Parmisano make optimal use of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and soloists, creating an organically textured whole rather than the stringy soup that too often drowns such collections. (by Judith Schlesinger)
Personnel:
Gilad Dobrecky (drums)
Oscar Feldman (saxophone)
Al Di Meola (guitar, dumbek, percussion)
Michael Philip Mossman (trumpet)
Gumbi Ortiz (percussion)
Mario Parmisano (piano, synthesizer)
John Patitucci (bass)
Hernan Romero (guitar, charango, vocals)
Arto Tunçboyacıyan (vocals, percussion)
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Toronto Orchestra conducted by Fabrizio Festa
Tracklist:
01. Misterio (Di Meola) 7.54
“Double Concerto” (Ástor Piazzolla) – 5:55
“Prelude: Adagio for Theresa” (Di Meola, Parmisano) – 1:22
“The Grande Passion (Di Meola) – 9:04
“Asia de Cuba (Di Meola) – 8:57
“Soledad” (Piazzolla) – 7:37
“Opus in Green (Di Meola) – 10:18
“Libertango” (Piazzolla) – 5:06
“Azucar (Di Meola) – 3:12
More from Al Di Meola:
The official website:
Pavarotti & Friends was a series of benefit concerts hosted by Italian operatic tenor Luciano Pavarotti between 1992 and 2003 in his home town of Modena, Italy. Proceeds from the events were donated to humanitarian causes including the international aid agency War Child and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. The concerts featured Pavarotti performing with special musical guests and each concert was released as a compilation album and DVD under London Records/Decca Records.
Di Meola Plays Piazzolla is an album by Al Di Meola which is a tribute to Argentinian composer Ástor Piazzolla. Eight of the ten songs were written by Piazzolla. Di Meola is accompanied by percussionist Arto Tuncboyacian and Dino Saluzzi, who plays bandoneon. Vince Mendoza provided some of the string arrangements. (by wikipedia)
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