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Track Listings
| 1. Morning Fire |
| 2. Calmer Of The Tempests |
| 3. From Oceans To The Clouds |
| 4. The Wizard |
| 5. Land Of The Midnight Sun |
| 6. Sarabande From Violin Sonata In B Minor |
| 7. Love Theme From 'Pictures Of The Sea' |
| 8. Suite: Golden Dawn |
| 9. Short Tales Of The Black Forest |
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is Al Di Meola's debut solo album which he released after leaving Return to Forever in 1976. For a jazz record it sold bucket loads for Columbia Records and comes complete with dodgy 70's cover which looks like its been knocked up during someone's herbal cigarette break. Although he was only 21 when this was recorded, the beard, big glasses and hairstyle made him look much older.
The album features many guest artists including all his RTF buddies as well as bassists Jaco Pastorius and long time collaborator Anthony Jackson and drummers Steve Gadd and Alphonse Mouzon.
Al's playing is great throughout though for me the standout track is Short Tales Of The Black Forest. Its a superb Chick Corea composition which features Al on acoustic guitar and Chick on piano. The interplay between the two is unbelievable and is a real showcase for Al's guitar playing. This track was revisited in the famous Friday Night in San Francisco album with John McLaughlin and Paco de Lucia.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I have just bought a CD copy of this, having had it when it originally came out and quite honestly let it slip to the back of my mind. It was surfing on Amazon that re-alerted me to it. To think that Al was only 21 at the time and had already been in Return To Forever is mind-boggling. The inspiration flowing across these tracks is awe inspiring because not only can he play the notes at incredible speed at times but infuses so much emotion and melody that the record is just staggering in its effect. I played it in the car to work this week - twice on the way in and the same back home. I could not wait for the return journey because this is one of those records that just makes you wonder at the power of music. I am so glad to have it back
Format:Audio CD
Much has been documented about this prodigy who at the age of 19 went on stage to sight-read his part in Chick Corea's "Return to Forever". He has since gone on to become the reference point for many modern rock guitarists, primarily for his accomplished alternate picking. So as a debut from a technical prodigy, one would expect a showcase for his talents.
But whilst this album is exactly that, and also shows a level of experience and musical sensibility that would no doubt come with incessant touring with Chick's band, what else does this album offer?
Well, it is ecclectic: influences clearly include Chick Corea ("The Wizard", the title song and "Suite"), possibly with some Santana ("The Wizard"); also present is a Bach piece, a version of the "Love Theme" from "the movie "Pictures of the Sea" and a stunning duet written by Chick Corea and performed by the two of them ("Short Tales of the Black Forest"). However, the overall feel of this album is that of a Berklee Music Student's portfolio: a bit of everything, but a little too influenced by his favourite teacher (in this case, Corea). As such, much of it comes across as "Corea-lite": well accomplished, but ultimately not quite as good as one hopes. This is thrown into starker relief as "Short Tales" clearly eclipses the other pieces in terms of composition, interplay, passion and humour.
Having said that, this album is very listenable and shows that the young Al had by 21 developed not only a formidable technique, but a good ear for a melody and very high production standards. However, as is often the case for a talented musician on his solo debut, the best of his career was still very much ahead of him.
Recommended if you you're a confirmed Di Meola nut and must have all his albums. However, as a view into his earlier work, his album "Elegant Gypsy" might be a better place to start.
But whilst this album is exactly that, and also shows a level of experience and musical sensibility that would no doubt come with incessant touring with Chick's band, what else does this album offer?
Well, it is ecclectic: influences clearly include Chick Corea ("The Wizard", the title song and "Suite"), possibly with some Santana ("The Wizard"); also present is a Bach piece, a version of the "Love Theme" from "the movie "Pictures of the Sea" and a stunning duet written by Chick Corea and performed by the two of them ("Short Tales of the Black Forest"). However, the overall feel of this album is that of a Berklee Music Student's portfolio: a bit of everything, but a little too influenced by his favourite teacher (in this case, Corea). As such, much of it comes across as "Corea-lite": well accomplished, but ultimately not quite as good as one hopes. This is thrown into starker relief as "Short Tales" clearly eclipses the other pieces in terms of composition, interplay, passion and humour.
Having said that, this album is very listenable and shows that the young Al had by 21 developed not only a formidable technique, but a good ear for a melody and very high production standards. However, as is often the case for a talented musician on his solo debut, the best of his career was still very much ahead of him.
Recommended if you you're a confirmed Di Meola nut and must have all his albums. However, as a view into his earlier work, his album "Elegant Gypsy" might be a better place to start.
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