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Joined:
May 2004
Posts: 2850
Location: Midland, MI | Found the below in rec.music.makers.guitar.jazz. I wonder how long before the regulars start in on the O bashing.
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Subject: DiMeola in Cambridge MA last night
From: "Gary"
Newsgroups: rec.music.makers.guitar.jazz
Reply-To: "Gary"
With little notice, I got a couple tickets to see Al at the regattabar in
harvard square last week. Showed up for a 7:30 show to a crowd of about 30
people. Got seated directly in front of Al, by far the best seat in the
house...not sure how this happened but lets just say I wasn't disappointed.
What I got was one of the best sets of latin influenced guitar music I've
ever witnessed. No surprise there, really, but wow...it was Al, long time
accomplice Gumbi Ortiz, two other percussionists whose names escape me for
the moment, and a piano player, I think Parmesano, was his last name, had
flew in from Argentina that day. Al played most of the show on a custom
Ovation Legend, outfitted with a Roland pickup that provided almost every
sound I've ever heard from him...amazing to hear PRS style full out
distortion come from an ovation. Rhythmically the tightest group I've ever
seen. Just phenomenal. Al commented that he had more people show up at his
recent birthday party than showed up last night. Their loss...I am still
buzzing from it. Most of the material was from his "world" music stuff,
World Sinfonia, Heart of the immigrants, heavy into the Piazzola stuff. One
tune from Kiss my axe. Brilliant, is all I can say.
Had the chance to meet Al and chat briefly. Great guy. I just can't
understand why there were no people...last time I saw him he sold out a 1000
seat club. Apparently Blue Note, who has taken over the promotion/booking at
regattabar, dropped the ball on this one. |
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Joined:
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Posts: 3005
Location: Las Cruces, NM | cruster
Every great musician goes from stadiums to clubs and back. Some do it because they like to be close to their audience. Al DiMeola will always be a star, even if he chose to play your living room. Don't judge the venue, thank your extremely lucky stars that you were able to experience such an up close encounter.
Something to tell your grand children.
Bailey |
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Joined:
February 2003
Posts: 299
Location: Netherlands | "even if he chose to play your living room."
He's welcome anytime :-)
Martin |
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Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | definately a great player and a nice guy to boot. |
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May 2004
Posts: 2850
Location: Midland, MI | Bailey-
I wasn't judging him at all. Or the venue. In fact, that was posted by someone else on Usenet. I only wish I had had the opportunity to see him in a small joint with only 30 people! I just thought it was interesting that the original poster of the article was surprised that he was using an Ovation. If you check out the rmmgj (or heck, any of the rmmg groups) at all, they tend to bash on Ovations pretty regularly...much like the Vintage Guitar forum guys. |
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Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 3005
Location: Las Cruces, NM | cruster
Sorry, I didn't mean it as a critic of you, I was just emphasizing my point without thinking. I should have made it a criticism of the writer.
My point was that some good musicians, Al DiMeola being one, will share their talent in a friendly environment because they tire of the large venues where even they can't hear their music.
I apologize, Al is now playing his third song in my living room and I am enchanted. |
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Joined:
May 2004
Posts: 2850
Location: Midland, MI | Originally posted by Bailey:
I apologize, Al is now playing his third song in my living room and I am enchanted.
No need to apologize, no offense taken.
But, Al is in your living room? Enchanting you with song? Hrmm...
Baily and Al, sittin' in a tree...
:eek: |
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May 2002
Posts: 3005
Location: Las Cruces, NM | Wellll
I exaggerated a little bit, he is playing right to me on my stereo, but I know he would like to be here, home cookin', good company, shoot, I would even let him go on line and meet a bunch of Ovation users just like him!! |
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Ovation makes it to Usenet