Elegant Gypsy

Al Di Meola | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00000258M
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (50 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #136,651 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dimeola's best disc ever, February 16, 2002

By 

Jeff Arenson (Colorado Springs, CO United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Elegant Gypsy (Audio CD)

Al Dimeola, at the time of this release, was the best fusion guitarist on the planet. (Mclaughlin lacked the energy that he had before Mahavishnu broke up and Holdsworth had yet to reach the great heights that he would find in the eighties). Dimeola is at his best composition wise as well as in his playing. "Flight Over Rio" and "Midnight Tango" are examples of this. Al and a Les Paul are meant to be together. "Mediterannean Sundance" is a duet with Paco DeLucia and a complete acoustic extravaganza.The guitar artistry displayed by both is unbelievable. This is a piece that can be listened to over and over. "Race With the Devil on Spanish Highway" is the electric extravaganza and a favorite of anybody that has heard it. Unison 32nd note lines are just a part of this Dimeola classic. The writing is amazing and Al has never sounded better. The rest of the disc consists of a percussion piece and then finally there is the title track which is another Dimeola masterwork. The band on this disc is incredible. Jan Hammer, Steve Gadd, Anthony Jackson, and Mingo Lewis all are phenomenal musicians in there own right and Dimeola has all of them playing at their usual amazing heights. If you are only familiar with RTF and are wondering why Al would leave them for a solo career this disc has the answers. A must have for any jazz/fusion fan or guitar enthusiast.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Elegant Music!, March 13, 2006

By 

April Cody "monkeykoi" (New York USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Elegant Gypsy (Audio CD)

In my opinion, this instrumental guitar collection is energetic, and exceptionally moving. I am inspired by anything that Al Dimiola presents, but this collection without peer.
Any DiMiola fan should definately add this to their collection.
Lovers of Jazz/Fusion, Spanish Accustical and excellently clever mastery of guitar will not be disappointed! Only seeing him perform these pieces live was better!!!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jazz Fusion at its best!, October 19, 2007

By 

James (Indianapolis, IN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Elegant Gypsy (Audio CD)

Al DiMeola was certainly the Jimi Hendrix of the 70's Jazz Fusion movement. And, this is his best disc from that period. Di Meola's music was also a precursor to the best World and New Age music of the 80s and 90s. Just because Jazz-fusion is out of fashion with the Jazz intelligentsia, doesn't mean DiMeola needs to be discounted. On the contrary, he inspired many to seek a new path for jazz's survival into the late 20th century and beyond. He also helped the uninitiated understand that Jazz is a cross-pollinating "bastard" musical form (in the best sense of the word) that is beyond musical category. I love Dixieland Jazz, Stride, Swing, Bebop, Afro-Cuban Jazz, West Coast Cool, Jazz Funk, 80s Neoclassic, Third Wave, etc, etc. I also love the best of Jazz Fusion. This is it!