Al DiMeola: Anthology
Most of the tracks are by DiMeola’s classic quintet with bass guitarist Anthony Jackson and drummer Steve Gadd. Among the other performers are bassist Jaco Pastorius, drummers Alphonse Mouzon and Lenny White, keyboardist Jan Hammer and even Genesis drummer Phil Collins on one track. It speaks volumes about DiMeola’s foresight as a performer that few of these tracks, even the earliest, sound dated in this digitally remastered package.
Many of these tracks are textbook examples of tastefulness within the fusion idiom. Disc 1, track 3 and disc 2, track 7 still have the potential to make aspiring six-stringers slam down their guitars in frustration. And the multiple-overdubbed disc 2, track 3 is one of DiMeola’s most beautiful moments. The reissue staff at Columbia have outdone themselves in assembling these twenty tracks as an overview of the guitar legend’s bright career.
Tracks – Disc 1: Land of the Midnight Sun; Suite: Golden Dawn; Race With Devil on Spanish Highway; Elegant Gypsy Suite; Senor Mouse; Casino; Medley: Short Tales From the Black Forest / Fantasia Suite for Two Guitars; The Wizard. Disc 2: Alien Chase on Arabian Desert; Dinner Music of the Gods; Bianca’s Midnight Lullaby; God Bird Change; Electric Rendezvous; Nena; Egyptian Danza; Cruisin’; Island Dreamer; Sequencer; Al Di’s Dream Theme; Theme to the Mothership.
Personnel
Al Di Meola: guitar.
Album information
Title: Anthology | Year Released: 2000 | Record Label: Audio Fidelity