Customer Reviews

Friday Night in San Francisco

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

20 some years later and I still remember the first night I heard this CD for the first time, like it was yesterday. And after 20 years I still get goose-bumps every time I listen to this CD. Anyone who loves guitar has to have this CD. Now whenever I hear that somebody loves guitar I put on this CD and wait for their jaw to drop. The technical skill of any one of the three of these gentleman is amazing. But how they play together and play off each other is mind blowing! Guitar lovers prepare for 40 minutes of heaven.

I heard this CD by a friend somewhere in the mountains of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and I completely lost the time for 40 minutes ... this CD is amazing! In this session you can really hear the talent these guys have, it's outstanding, that's the only word I can use for the techniques they use. My ears had a splendid time listening those 5 songs. Although it's recorded live you have no problem listening to it because of the people screaming, only on the beginning and the end of each number. When I sat there listening to this amazing art of guitarplaying my friends (both experienced guitarplayers) were quiet for the full 40 minutes this CD lasts. Normally they start to whine when there's one wrong chord in it, but this time they listened just as good as I did. This CD is unique and I recommend you buy it, for such little money you got the best guitarists of the '80 on one CD ... now that's impressive!

This album changed my view of jazz when I was 16 years old. Knowing about Return to Forever, Weather Report and Mahavishnu Orchestra I'd never had the inclination to listen at this age. But our local college radio station had several jazz buffs as DJs, in addition to rock musicians looking to stretch their scope of influence who would play cuts from this and the other above groups' albums in between their trips of fancy in the Alternative Music scene. Phenominal music listened to individually as cuts on the airwaves, I rushed out and bought the album eager to have my boundaries stretched.

I wasnt disappointed, and even listening to it today I find that I hear new things each time. The improvisational sections (of which there are many) have recognizable themes mixed into free form playing which astound. The pieces that are full on compositions will leave you humming the chief theme melody for days after. The power that is derived just from three guitars in the hands of three very powerful players will leave you breathless.

If you're a musician young or old looking for something to stretch your limits and defy the concept you have of guitar, buy the album. As a jazz lover who can appreciate ingenious improvisation, buy the album. I cant recommend this album enough.

In my opinion, this is one of the greatest live guitar performances out there. What is so remarkable is the diversity that each player has and brings to the stage. Paco plays his famous flamenco, di meola competes with his recognizable phrasing and technique, and mclaughin, well, this is probably the most open-hearted playing I've ever heard from one of the greatest abstract guitarists. Musicians adore this CD (especially guitarists), and others also have that fire for this kind of music. But, this album is, beyond a doubt, one of the most signifigant pieces of work for all 3 players and for the great music they represent. An absolute must.

just hear it, and rate it. to me, it is one of the best of John Mclaughlin live.

Paco, Al, and John have definitely shown some hard-core talent in this album. It is one of my favorite and I recommend checking it out if you want to hear some fast-paced, lively guitar playing. The speed and accuracy of each guitarist is unreal...and if you're into cool solos, you NEED THIS BAD!

The first time I heard this recording I thought it had been sped up in the mastering process. I simply couldn't imagine three musicians playing at such breakneck tempo's, plucking strings at such amazing divisions, and all of it with seeming effortlessness. In many respects this was the end of the fusion era. Dimeola has never again played with such intensity, Mclaughlin has never been so competitive, and Paco may have outshone them all. The fact that there is no professional recording on film of this concert is an extraordinary tragedy. This is the most mind blowing acoustic guitar playing ever...until....
Strunz and Farah's "Frontera", the absolute pinnacle of guitar brilliance and speed, followed by the even more astonishing "Guitarras". The Dimeola, Mclaughlin, DeLucia trio set the bar. It was broken in 1984 by Jorge Strunz and Ardeshir Farah and THAT bar has yet to be broken.

Any one of these guitarists will stun you with their technique. Al Dimeola, John McLaughlin, and Paco de Lucia are outstanding musicians who have produced some really good work individually. Put them all together under one roof for a night of jamming and you have one great concert recording.

Each of the players here has a unique style, so there's no real sense of things running together. Dimeola is a straight-charger with intense staccato flurries that defy transcription. McLaughlin employs both picked and legato runs, along with a great sense of timing. De Lucia's Spanish flamenco style is smooth and elegant. From start to finish, all three turn in top notch performances. Highly recommended for those who appreciate excellent guitar music.

Whoever was there, at the concert, I soooo envy you!!! What an incredible thrill to hear those three play together! I purchased this recording back in the time when CDs were barely an option, and I still enjoy listening to it. It doesn't take a guitar afficionado, or a flamenco or jazz connoisseur to enjoy such music. A regular music lover, such as I, could totally appreciate what these three great guitarists created that night - three different music styles that jammed perfectly together.

Why, oh, why is this recording not available on CD anymore???

A fantastic CD that every guitarist should have. "Frevo Rasgado" is the most complex and interesting piece of the album.