Al Di Meola, Al Di Meola World Sinfonia - The Grande Passion
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Music CD Cover
Artist: Al Di Meola, Al Di Meola World SinfoniaEdition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 2000-10-24
Music Label: Telarc
Soundtracks:
- Misterio
- Double Concerto
- Prelude: Adagio For Theresa
- The Grande Passion
- Asia De Cuba
- Soledad
- Opus In Green
- Libertango
- Azucar
Free Music Notes for The Grande Passion
Free Music Review: Unmemorable
Hit: 3 Stars
This album has some very good traits: excellent technical skills from
all musicians; interesting arrangements; a wide variety of
instruments, sounds and rhythms to keep the ear pleased; and
accompaniments that are quite tastefully composed. However, the main
musical themes and phrases in many of the songs are both uninspiring
and overplayed, and the thematic climaxes sound even insincere at
times. Moreover, Al's melodic embellishments and fast scale runs
rarely add musically to the work. It almost comes across that he is a
little bored on the tracks, wanting to spice things up a bit by
playing fast here and there (a typical guitarist, perhaps?). It
doesn't work.
Another reviewer used the term 'soporific' -- I'd pretty much have to
agree. Overall, despite the technical mastery of all the musicians and
the apparent extensive production and composition here, the music
lacks a certain creativity and memorability. Many musicians have done
much more with much less. It may be worth listening to just to hear
something different and sonically interesting, but it isn't worth too
many repeated listens.
The Grande Passion Poster
Fusion firebrand Al Di Meola continues his passion of the 1990s, compositions written and inspired by Astor Piazzolla. What's remarkable is how strong Di Meola's own music sounds next to those of the late Brazilian tango avatar. "Misterio" opens the album and sets the tone with a lush, romantic setting for acoustic guitar interpolated with colorful accents of sitar and winds, triggered by Di Meola's MIDI-guitar. It's a dynamic piece that takes unusual twists, and it sits comfortably next to Piazzolla's "Double Concerto," which follows. Again, using his strangely uncredited MIDI-guitar, Di Meola emulates Piazzolla's inimitable bandoneon sound. The guitarist has assembled a phenomenal group, including bassist John Patitucci, percussionists Gumbi Ortiz and Arto Tuncboyacian, pianist Mario Parmisano, and second guitarist Hernan Romero.With the virtuosity of his playing, Di Meola is often overlooked as a composer, and The Grande Passion underscores what a fine composer he is. String arrangements color "Double Concerto," the title track, and several other pieces, but Di Meola hardly needs orchestral frills to legitimize his already epic compositions. The guitarist has slipped from critical prominence since the days of Return to Forever, Splendido Hotel and the guitar trio with John McLaughlin and Paco De Lucia (try out Friday Night in San Francisco for a great trio outing), but Di Meola spent the 1990s doing some of his best work with his World Sinfonia group and The Grande Passion starts the new millennium in fine form. --John Diliberto
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