#1930665 - 04/22/08 09:29 AM
What would You Ask Al Di Meola?
|
Jude Gold
GP Editor
Senior Member
Registered: 04/28/05
Posts: 59
Loc: Haight & Ashbury, California
|
Offline
|
|
Got a good question for Al Di Meola? If so, post it here and you may see it answered by Al himself in an upcoming GP feature. The fusion legend has a lot going on right now, including his role in the return of Return To Forever (who will be performing on a stage near you this summer), so fire away with the brilliant, snarky, insightful, humorous, daring, genius, and/or just plain silly queries only the GP forum can deliver!
(By posting your question on this thread, you agree to let Guitar Player publish it in the magazine and credit it to your forum name/handle. Questions may be edited for brevity or clarity.)
_________________________
Jude Gold
Associate Editor
Guitar Player Magazine
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1930681 - 04/22/08 09:57 AM
Re: What would You Ask Al Di Meola?
[Re: Jude Gold]
|
Billster
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 04/16/04
Posts: 5546
Loc: Wilmington, MA
|
|
Offline
|
|
Why do you always look so self-serious in posed photos?
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1930682 - 04/22/08 09:58 AM
Re: What would You Ask Al Di Meola?
[Re: Billster]
|
Billster
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 04/16/04
Posts: 5546
Loc: Wilmington, MA
|
|
Offline
|
|
Compare playing with Chick Corea to playing with Jan Hammer.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1930685 - 04/22/08 10:01 AM
Re: What would You Ask Al Di Meola?
[Re: Billster]
|
Billster
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 04/16/04
Posts: 5546
Loc: Wilmington, MA
|
|
Offline
|
|
The trio with McLaughlin and DeLucia: Who picked the best restaurants on tour?
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1930726 - 04/22/08 12:04 PM
Re: What would You Ask Al Di Meola?
[Re: Billster]
|
Picker
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 06/13/04
Posts: 6905
Loc: A few miles fro the corner of ...
|
|
Offline
|
|
DO you think you guys in Return to Forever have gotten over yourselves enough to complete the tour without blowing the whole thing in the middle due to "mutual disagreements"?
_________________________
You're only young once, but you can be immature forever...
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1930731 - 04/22/08 12:12 PM
Re: What would You Ask Al Di Meola?
[Re: Picker]
|
Danzilla
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 01/09/04
Posts: 3575
Loc: Baltimore, MD
|
|
Offline
|
|
Al- You were big on using the technology of the Synclavier guitar synth when it first came out. Is there any newer tech you've embraced, or see as a major inovation for guitarists? And any thoughts on your Synclavier period you'd like to share?
_________________________
"Am I enough of a freak to be worth paying to see?"- Separated Out (Marillion) My Band's website
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1930733 - 04/22/08 12:20 PM
Re: What would You Ask Al Di Meola?
[Re: Jude Gold]
|
GuitarPlayerFL
Platinum Member
Registered: 10/06/02
Posts: 1299
Loc: Florida
|
|
Offline
|
|
Although your latest CD release has more electric guitar than in the past, it's not a heavy Fusion album like your 70s output.
Will we ever get an album like Elegant Gypsy or Electric Rendezvous again...especially if the RTF is successful? Another album with Jan Hammer and other players from those albums would be great...and a tour to support it!! 
_________________________
A great Jazz/Chord Melody Master (my former instructor http://www.robertconti.comLP/Strat/Tele/PV/Wolfgang/POD/JTM 45 Keys: RD700SX/XP-10/Karma (FKA GuitarPlayerSoCal) "I Love L.A." - Randy Newman
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1930736 - 04/22/08 12:23 PM
Re: What would You Ask Al Di Meola?
[Re: Jude Gold]
|
RobRose
Senior Member
Registered: 02/16/08
Posts: 180
Loc: Ottawa, ON
|
|
Offline
|
|
In a career that covers music of many temperatures, do you ever just want to to rock out? Certainly songs like "Alien Chase on an an Arabian Desert" and "Race with the Devil on Spanish Highway", give some hint to your inner rock star.
_________________________
LP, CS-336, TA DropTop T, ASAT Cstm, Ravelle Cstm, Cstm Shop Strat, Reverend Charger290 & Parris Models, Custom Variax, Godin Freeway, Martin DC16RGTE, Schecter Bass
Mesa Lonestar, Carr Vincent amps
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1930741 - 04/22/08 12:34 PM
Re: What would You Ask Al Di Meola?
[Re: RobRose]
|
Billster
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 04/16/04
Posts: 5546
Loc: Wilmington, MA
|
|
Offline
|
|
Al, do you feel that people place too much emphasis on the flashier aspects of your style, and ignore the more subtle elements?
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1930744 - 04/22/08 12:37 PM
Re: What would You Ask Al Di Meola?
[Re: Billster]
|
Billster
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 04/16/04
Posts: 5546
Loc: Wilmington, MA
|
|
Offline
|
|
Explain how your love of the Mediterranean lifestyle meshes with living in northern New Jersey.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1930758 - 04/22/08 01:09 PM
Re: What would You Ask Al Di Meola?
[Re: Jude Gold]
|
mdrs
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 06/15/06
Posts: 9231
Loc: rural PA
|
|
Offline
|
|
What do you think about Watergate?
Seriously, I'd like to know about Al's amp and effects choices.....what he's used, is using, etc.. Also, similiar comments about guitar choices.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1930788 - 04/22/08 02:29 PM
Re: What would You Ask Al Di Meola?
[Re: Billster]
|
SEHpicker
Senior Member
Registered: 05/16/02
Posts: 105
Loc: Aspen, Colorado
|
|
Offline
|
|
Al, Been a fan forever. Was blown away by your style long before everyone else tried to imulate it. Question(s): who are your main influences on guitar? who are your main influences in music generally?
Thanks
Steve H.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1930916 - 04/22/08 07:50 PM
Re: What would You Ask Al Di Meola?
[Re: Jude Gold]
|
Tea For One
Senior Member
Registered: 03/06/08
Posts: 44
Loc: down in the ruts
|
|
Offline
|
|
Hey Al. Having played with guys like Larry Coryell, Paco, McLaughlin, Stanley Clarke, Tony Williams and countless other great musicians, was there any one player where you just sat back and said "WOW"?
And, which is your favorite Chick Corea composition?
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1931128 - 04/23/08 08:19 AM
Re: What would You Ask Al Di Meola?
[Re: Tea For One]
|
Mudcat
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 07/20/01
Posts: 2975
Loc: Twangtown, USA
|
|
Offline
|
|
Al - Back in the 70s, one of my high school math teachers played some of your music in class and told us "Dimeola is way better than that stoner Hendrix." What do you think about that?
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1931131 - 04/23/08 08:21 AM
Re: What would You Ask Al Di Meola?
[Re: Mudcat]
|
Mudcat
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 07/20/01
Posts: 2975
Loc: Twangtown, USA
|
|
Offline
|
|
Al, Over the years you have been closely associated with the Gibson Les Paul Custom. Have you ever been approached by Henry J. about the possibility of a signature model?
EDIT: My bad - Apparently there was, at one time, a Gibson Al Dimeola model. 
Edited by Mudcat (04/23/08 11:51 AM)
Edit Reason: Brain Cramp
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1931180 - 04/23/08 09:50 AM
Re: What would You Ask Al Di Meola?
[Re: Mudcat]
|
Danzilla
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 01/09/04
Posts: 3575
Loc: Baltimore, MD
|
|
Offline
|
|
I thought he had a signature Gibson; oddly enough, it was a semi-hollow. I'll have to check the liner notes to his "Orange and Blue" cd- I'm prety sure there were pictures and notes on that one.
_________________________
"Am I enough of a freak to be worth paying to see?"- Separated Out (Marillion) My Band's website
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1931573 - 04/24/08 05:28 AM
Re: What would You Ask Al Di Meola?
[Re: myles_rose]
|
Eric Iverson
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 08/03/05
Posts: 2354
Loc: Jackson Heights, NY
|
|
Offline
|
|
Al, I read you practiced 10 hours a day at one time. How can you do that and not injure your hands?
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1932046 - 04/24/08 10:23 PM
Re: What would You Ask Al Di Meola?
[Re: Eric Iverson]
|
Bejeeber
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 07/11/04
Posts: 2509
Loc: Nashville from LA/Seattle
|
|
Offline
|
|
"How are ya liking the return to Return To Forever? Any religion issues to deal with there?"
"Are you pissed that many think of Yngwie as the dude that pioneered a whole new level of ultra chops speed picking distorted electric guitar playing technique, when it was actually you many years prior? (or should I say you and select others such as Mclaughlin?)"
"What's your opinion of Holdsworth's playing?"
_________________________
Just a pinch between the geek and chum
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1932047 - 04/24/08 10:24 PM
Re: What would You Ask Al Di Meola?
[Re: Billster]
|
Bejeeber
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 07/11/04
Posts: 2509
Loc: Nashville from LA/Seattle
|
|
Offline
|
|
Why do you always look so self-serious in posed photos?
Good one. 
_________________________
Just a pinch between the geek and chum
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1932214 - 04/25/08 07:48 AM
Re: What would You Ask Al Di Meola?
[Re: Bejeeber]
|
memyselfandus
Senior Member
Registered: 04/26/06
Posts: 30
|
|
Offline
|
|
How do you approach "Phrasing"
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1932940 - 04/26/08 08:39 PM
Re: What would You Ask Al Di Meola?
[Re: memyselfandus]
|
Archie McLeod II
Senior Member
Registered: 01/21/03
Posts: 176
Loc: Roanoke Rapids, NC
|
|
Offline
|
|
Hey Al, in the electric guitar realm, i think most of us associate you with modded Gibsons (all the way back to "Elegant Gypsy") Recently you've been seen with a Paul Reed Smith which really doesn't get too far away from the Gibson theme. In my oppinion, your best tone and fluidity came however IMHO from the use of a Stratocaster on the remake of "Senor Mouse" (from the Telarc release, "Flesh On Flesh") That was "simply mahvalous". The tone was almost acoustic and the feel was so intimate and clean. Why haven't you used the Strat more in all these years? That sound truly becomes you.
_________________________
"Life Is Just A Game And They're Many Ways To Play.........All You Do Is Choose." Stanley Clark, 1976
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1933252 - 04/27/08 04:15 PM
Re: What would You Ask Al Di Meola?
[Re: Archie McLeod II]
|
soggybomb
Gold Member
Registered: 08/03/07
Posts: 625
Loc: Gainesville, FL
|
|
Offline
|
|
what were some of your early influences when you first picked up the instrument?
want to play at my birthday?
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1933469 - 04/28/08 06:59 AM
Re: What would You Ask Al Di Meola?
[Re: soggybomb]
|
Bonddad
Member
Registered: 09/24/07
Posts: 2
Loc: Houston, Texas
|
|
Offline
|
|
Could you describe the similarities and differences between the US and other foreign (from my perspective) music markets? Are there markets you prefer or like more than others? Why?
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1933733 - 04/28/08 02:13 PM
Re: What would You Ask Al Di Meola?
[Re: Bonddad]
|
mdrs
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 06/15/06
Posts: 9231
Loc: rural PA
|
|
Offline
|
|
Ask Al if he got a tax refund? 
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1934588 - 04/30/08 06:28 AM
Re: What would You Ask Al Di Meola?
[Re: mdrs]
|
Dr. Ellwood
10k Club
Registered: 06/07/02
Posts: 16041
Loc: MoTown
|
|
Offline
|
|
Al, when are you going to get a real job!!!
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1934619 - 04/30/08 07:08 AM
Re: What would You Ask Al Di Meola?
[Re: Dr. Ellwood]
|
Chad
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 05/15/01
Posts: 3098
Loc: Pittston, Maine, USA
|
|
Offline
|
|
Al, when are you going to get a real job!!!
And why don't you play more like Jimmie Vaughan?
_________________________
"Gear snobs can shampoo my crotch, for all I care." - dcr
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1934755 - 04/30/08 10:17 AM
Re: What would You Ask Al Di Meola?
[Re: Chad]
|
Mudcat
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 07/20/01
Posts: 2975
Loc: Twangtown, USA
|
|
Offline
|
|
Are you still playing electric at high stage volume? If so, have you ever considered using an attenuator such as a Hot-Plate or Power Brake?
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1935814 - 05/02/08 07:41 AM
Re: What would You Ask Al Di Meola?
[Re: Mudcat]
|
skipclone 1
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 08/21/03
Posts: 3932
Loc: Japan
|
|
Offline
|
|
How do you DO that? （never mind, just kidding)
Okay, do you like to plan where to take your music next, or are you a more `in the moment` person? make the contacts and see what happens? I mean from one project to the next.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
Moderator: myles_rose, A String, Bluesape
|
|
|
