Customer Reviews

Al Di Meola - Live at Montreux 1986, 1989, 1993

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

To begin with, there is no 1989 concert with Lagrene and Coryell on this DVD. They also say it's 129 minutes; it's actually about 67 minutes. Secondly, the 1986 concert is just bad, period. It's filmed poorly (lots of shots of Al's hairy back) and his playing just lacks direction, tossing in speed runs just to get the crowd to yell. Cielo E Terra (the album) isn't one of his best, especially when played one song after another. There's no melody, just odd chord changes and picking patterns, and the audience doesn't seem to know when to applaud, when the song is over, or it's the same song. The album itself isn't bad because it's more focused, but in concert there's a definite "noodling" problem which ultimately loses interest. The other set from 1993 isn't too bad, but the sound is muddy between the two guitars and Al's low E string is a bit flat. If the 1989 concert had been part of the package, it probably would be worth the money, but as is, and with the frustration of being lied to about the content. I can't recommend it. Maybe somewhere down the road some footage of his electric concerts or with the Trio with McLaughlin and deLucia will show up.

Although I feel Al di Meola is probably the best guitarist to ever touch the guitar itself...I have some gripes thus making the rating only 4 stars. It says it has 3 conerts for viewing, but it only has two? Also the very first concert ...the camera angle jumps around way to much...I want to see Al play the damn song not see the back of Al's head! Other then those two gripes...I had to have this!

It's obvious that whoever shot these performances was not a guitar player and had little if any experience taping live shows, let alone guitar concerts. Camera choices are probably the worst they could choose and instead of the guitar (or wide shots) it's Mr. Dimeola's sweaty in-trance face that we see most of the time. Dimeola could have been playing the congas and no one would have noticed because the guitar is hardly seen here. One of the best songs "Mediterranean Sundance" (which is not even listed on the DVD probably because the director/producer had never heard of Dimeola before he got the gig assigned) is shot in its entirety from what looks to be the third floor. And so on.
It's also true that there's not three performances as Amazon says, but two. What a silly way to ruin what could have been a great concert DVD. Buy it and play it through the speakers with the TV set switched off.

In response to my compatriot Donald in Van BC, Sr. Dimeola did happen to visit our city on a couple of occasions during the 90's Once with The Rite of Strings in which... if I'm not mistaken they kicked that tour off here in Van with 'Alma Libre' (Locals) as the backup group. The Trio (ROS) didn't have alot of ironing out to do being the calibure players that they are but they were using sheet music and at one point Al's blew away from him on stage at a critical point in a song.. but he nailed it anyway and the crowd went NUTZ! He was also here earlier in the 90's with his own band at the Commodore again a fabulous show and obviously much more "electrified' than that of the acoustic trio of him Ponty and Clarke. I'm looking forward to checking out these Montreaux DVD's thanks for the reviews.

The 1986 concert starts out a little rough - they should have edited the intro/sound check and the camera work could be better and the tone is best played through a Surround Sound system. The video is totally clear and there is plenty of fingerwork zoom, though some useless camera angles.
Also, here is a more accurate track list:
Intro/sound check
Orient Blue
Vertigo Shadow
Atavism of Twilight
Enigma of Desire
Medley/improv:
Untitled (but published in Guitar Player on a floppy record)
Soaring Through a Dream (quote)
Rhapsody of Fire
Etude (quote)
Passion, Grace & Fire
percussion
Cielo e Terra
Mediterranean Sundance
Encore:
Etude
Capoeira
This music is so unusual it requires an explanation. The 1985 album Cielo e Terra - the basis of this 1986 concert - features compositions inspired by (and titled after) Salvador Dali paintings - so this is 'surreal guitar' - characterized by strange and beautiful chord voicings (not found in any chord dictionary or elsewhere) played with fast, smooth arpeggiation and intricate scalar runs with frequent rhythm and tempo changes. There is copious melodic and percussively rhythmic improvisation throughout. The percussively rhythmic picking is another of His specialties. No one demonstrates such a high level of mastery of the three musical dimensions - harmony, melody and rhythm - intertwined across such a wide range of musical styles all executed with creative improvisation, precision and ever-present grace as Al Di Meola.
He's the Bruce Lee of Kung Fu guitar!
Bottom-line:
Fans: Buy it, of course.
Guitarists: required listening/viewing to witness what is possible on the instrument. (See also his lesson video with excerpts mercifully dumbed-down for mere mortals.)
Virtuosi (of any instrument): Absolutely worthy addition.
General audience: The World Sinfonia concert will be more 'accessible'.

Don't let the reviews put you off altogether. I would actually rate this as four and a half stars if I could but based on the amount I have enjoyed this release I have few qualms about giving this five. Although there are some flaws, let's look at the positives. These are performances at Montreaux Jazz festivals which make them events in and of themselves. The Montreaux DVD issues all have excellent 5.1 sound as well as DTS at a great price and this one is no exception. Possibly the edits could have focused more on Al's fingers but really there is lots of close ups of his playing and the truth is Jazz is not "visual" the way rock is. Reading some of the reviews I expected to just see his back and face. Both shows are crystal clear. There are the two performances as stated on the packaging. The "missing" third show is just an apparent Amazon error as there is no suggestion of it on the packaging. The first show is of course solo from 86 and Al was touring the Cielo album so of course there is a fair amount of music from that release.I always found these melodies haunting and the playing is of course, flawless. The second show is the World Sinfonia trio with two guitars, percussion and some ethereal vocals, and again is flawless and inspired. I assume some of the others reviewers must have had the fortune of seeing Al many times but I never have in my part of the world (Vancouver B.C) so I am thrilled to have some footage of one of the all time guitar greats. The other Di Meola release "One of These Nights" from 2004 is stunning in it's beauty and of "higher" quality than this but if you are a fan you will surely want and enjoy both. Hats off to Eagle Rock for the care they have seemed to put into all the Montreaux releases. All so far have great visuals, DTS sound as well as informative liner notes including the Montreaux poster art for the year of that particular show. Nice touch folks !

A quick review to say that the mixed reviews here should have indicated to me that this is not a great Al di Meola DVD. I bought it anyway and was disappointed even as a fan. Yes, some of the trio playing redeemed this historic footage but seeing there are so many other Al di Meola DVD's now out, don't waste your money. (Look out for the new Return to Forever DVD or the Di Meola/Clarke/Ponty - Live at Montreux 1994 DVD)

I found the opening concert with Al at his self-indulgent worst. Endless runs on the Ovation with little song structure - rambling at worst and bland at best. Is the sound good - yes, the usual 'Live at Montreux' great stereo, 5.1, DTS options...BUT this DVD doesn't do justice to a wonderful master guitarist/composer - go buy any one of CD's for a more enjoyable music experience.

As a guitarist myself, I love Al Dimeola. Back to his early days with Chick Corea, he has developed into an even more awesome guitarist. I was hoping this DVD would be something I could watch and play again and again. but though the music was immensely enjoyable, the vidography so totally sucked as to completely detract and distract from the music. So little of his playing and fretwork from a constant frontal view, as in watching a concert. Instead, a contant, sometimes rapid and mostly just irritating, cutting from one view to another, mostly from the back, I completely lost insterest and started getting frustrated. What a shame. So much of the awe is in watching him play. So little enjoyment here.

I need some more Albums like...
Al De Meola , John Mc Laughlin, Paco De Lucia
And Drum Solo by Tony Royster Jr (Album Pure Energy)
If you have this kindly quote the Price

I loved the Dvd. I have been a Fan of his for 25yrs and he is still doing new and innovative things in his music. This Dvd shows him in the mid 80's and 90's in the Montreux Music Festival. The sound is good and Al is excellent. The reason for four stars instead of five is the camera angles are sometimes sh owing his back when they should be on his guitar.But it is worth the price. Thanks!David v. Martinez San Antonio,Texas