Customer Reviews

Tirami Su

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought this originally on cassette and wore that out years ago. For years, I patiently searched the CD racks in some of the top music stores in Texas and California in a vain attempt to acquire another copy of this out of print rarity. Used or new, I didn't care. I just had to have it. Finally, my persistence paid off as I just was able to buy it here.
Tirami Su is probably Al DiMeola's most underrated album. I like it for its mellow virtuosity and its enchanting, breathtaking romance. While there are many wonderful and subtle DiMeola solos, there is little of the searing play that characterizes some of his other masterpieces. Every song that was on the original album is a gem, including his remake of Chick Corea's Song To The Pharaoh Kings.
In a review of another DiMeola CD, I criticised his use of a muttering background vocalist. He has one here too, but on this CD, Jose Renato's vocals are a plus, adding to the mystery and romance of the album. He comes off particularly well on Arabella, Maraba, and Song With A View.
Tirami Su is surely one of the top ten Al DiMeola albums. This version is marred only by the unnecessary inclusion of the pointless Tirami Su Part 1, which I do not remember from the original. Two other bonus tracks that originally appeared on his legendary album Soaring Through A Dream are also present. This CD is rated "must own", buy it whenever or wherever you can.

This is intelligent world beat instrumental composition. I wish Di Meola would return to these years and produce more music like this, including his choice of musicians. Drummers not familiar with Tom Brechtlein will be satisfied to hear his tasty modern interpretations of baiao and other Latin styles that truly compliment Di Meola's more layered stylings. Di Meola does a better job picking his spots for his trademark blazing staccato solo runs, more often choosing interesting melodies over chops. If you can find it, it's a great listen from start to finish.

I bought this album on vinyl when it was first released, and it has remained one of my favourite albums of all time. It has extremely exciting and emotional guitar solo's, however the album also has an essence of romance about it. There is nothing about this album you can critise except for the fact that you don't want it to end when it does.

I have been a fan of Al Di since his Return To Forever days.
I have acquired every recording of his that I could find over the past 30 years.
For me this is *THE* Al Di Meola recording.
It never gets old.
Al's rendition of Chick Corea's "Song to the Pharaoh Kings" is worth the price alone.
When Al signed my original copy of this CD at a show a few years ago he commented "This one's a bit hard to find!" So, you better get your original release of this recording before the prices got to three digits on the collector's markets!

Al Di Meola conferred this album a visible experimental treatment, that combines Brazilian inspiration and his accustomed acoustic innovations all the way.

So, from this approach I must recommend you to acquire this album, because it constitutes a crucial stage in the evolution of this formidable and talented musician, who likes to bet and innovate with new musical forms, and admirable aces under the sleeve such as Corea or Metheny, for instance.

Go for this one. It will never let you down.

I had the good fortune of attending Al's performance of "Tirami Su" in Urbana-Champaign, Nov. 1986. It was a marvellous, unforgettable show. I immediately bought the cassette, which I've been enjoying since then. 1986-87, when this album was first released, was an emotionally charged year for me; I've come to associate this music with that romantic period of my life.

"Tirami Su" is mellower than Al's more famous earlier albums "Elegant Gypsy" and "Land of the Midnight Sun", but no less beautiful, and arguably, more "mature". The old virtuosity, power, and mystery are still here. Enhanced with Jose Renato's entrancing vocals in superb pieces such as "Arabella" and "Maraba", the music shows more of Al's romantic side.

One of Al Di Meola's best efforts, this album is, without doubt, a classic.

This listing is for the original 9 song release of this disc on Manhattan/Capitol. The later reissue on One Way adds two tracks from his Soaring Through a Dream CD, which is as another reviewer notes a bit pointless...

Al Dimeola absolutely dazzles me with his guitar playing, preferrably with the 70's fusion jazz group, "Return to Forever". There are a few songs that are outstanding on this album. "Arabella" is really an outstanding piece of work with its guitar arrangement and production value. "Smile from a Stranger" is another highlight on this album with its haunting melody. Unfortunately, that's about it on this album. I really thought it was up and down for me. But it still a good effort!

There's a Chick Corea song called "Song to the Pharoah Kings" which is worth the price of this album alone - clocking in at over 8 minutes. Some stellar playing by everyone on this album. A few duds, but the songs that shine - shine so bright that you'll forget about the duds... Highly recommended...