Al Di Meola - Live at Montreux 1986, 1989, 1993

Rating:
Summary: Al di Meola is truly inspirational
Review: Although I feel Al di Meola is probably the best guitarist to ever touch the guitar itself...I have some gripes thus making the rating only 4 stars. It says it has 3 conerts for viewing, but it only has two? Also the very first concert ...the camera angle jumps around way to much...I want to see Al play the damn song not see the back of Al's head! Other then those two gripes...I had to have this!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent DVD!
Review: I Don't understand the negative feedback in some the other reviews. The Picture quality is crystal clear, The sound is awsome in my surround sound system, and there are plenty of close-up shots of his fingers flying on the guitar! The packaging of the DVD is exacltly whats on the disc. The misinformation regaurding a third show is an internet mistake! The bottom line is GET THIS DISC. IT IS AWSOME!

Rating:
Summary: Great Guitarist! A Acoustic Odyessy
Review: I loved the Dvd. I have been a Fan of his for 25yrs and he is still doing new and innovative things in his music. This Dvd shows him in the mid 80's and 90's in the Montreux Music Festival. The sound is good and Al is excellent. The reason for four stars instead of five is the camera angles are sometimes sh owing his back when they should be on his guitar.But it is worth the price. Thanks!David v. Martinez San Antonio,Texas

Rating:
Summary: Di Meola The Great
Review: The negative review below is simply astonishing because even if you don't play guitar, you have to simply acknowledge the sheer amount of talent that Di Meola has, and understand that there is not one soul on this planet that can play the guitar like Di Meola. The 1986 performance is priceless - to see him play his songs on his masterpiece "Cielo e Terra". I play fingerstyle guitar and can only dream of playing with a pick with the speed, precision, improvisatory abandon, and accomplishment that he does. Anyone who provides a negative review of Di Meola's playing simply can't appreciate music of this high level, or are bitter that they can't come close to playing like this. I'm of a different brand - I'm grateful that Di Meola is a true artist and a visionary who stays true to his art and craft. To be able to play like Di Meola would be the dream of all dreams. Thank you Al - and I hope to see you in April, where I'll ask you to autograph my copy of "Cielo e Terra"

Rating:
Summary: False advertising - bad cinematography
Review: To begin with, there is no 1989 concert with Lagrene and Coryell on this DVD. They also say it's 129 minutes; it's actually about 67 minutes. Secondly, the 1986 concert is just bad, period. It's filmed poorly (lots of shots of Al's hairy back) and his playing just lacks direction, tossing in speed runs just to get the crowd to yell. Cielo E Terra (the album) isn't one of his best, especially when played one song after another. There's no melody, just odd chord changes and picking patterns, and the audience doesn't seem to know when to applaud, when the song is over, or it's the same song. The album itself isn't bad because it's more focused, but in concert there's a definite "noodling" problem which ultimately loses interest. The other set from 1993 isn't too bad, but the sound is muddy between the two guitars and Al's low E string is a bit flat. If the 1989 concert had been part of the package, it probably would be worth the money, but as is, and with the frustration of being lied to about the content. I can't recommend it. Maybe somewhere down the road some footage of his electric concerts or with the Trio with McLaughlin and deLucia will show up.