CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

Friday Night in San Francisco

by: Mclaughlin, Di Meola, Delucia

Release Date September 23, 1997
There aren't enough superlatives to describe this performance. So I won't even try. I will say that my entire perception of "guitar" was forever changed the first time I heard this album. Not only because of the effortless 200 mph runs but moreso because thee guys can do this while paying attention to and complementing eachother's playing.

Friday Night in San Francisco is a beautiful recording with plenty of raw emotion, despite what some other reviewers have said. Once you have removed your jaw from the floor and pay attention to the phrasing, song structure, sheer improvisation, and interplay of three geniuses in their prime, you will add this to your desert island list.

Something else that I really like about this ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

The Guitar Trio

by: Paco de Lucia, John McLaughlin, Al Di Meola

Release Date October 15, 1996
You would be hard pressed to find a more technically spectacular acoustic guitar project. Linking up three of the worlds greatest would have virtually guaranteed critical success, but the varying compositions and techniques employed at such a constant pace ensures listeners you are indeed listening to the world's best-combined. All one can say in offense is that the skill level is just too high, compounding musical ideas into an almost overwhelming proficiency at turns.

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

Elegant Gypsy

by: Al Di Meola

Release Date October 25, 1990
I worship Hendrix, Beck, Page, Metheny, Holdsworth, Vaughan, Howe, you name 'em, I've got 'em. But over 30 years later I'm still amazed at what Mr. DiMeola does on this MASTERPIECE. I HATE awards and awards shows and polls but if I HAD TO CHOOSE(gun to my head) I would pick Al as the greatest ever and present Elegant Gypsy as exhibit # 1.

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

Casino

by: Al di Meola

Release Date February 01, 2008
I couldn't believe it when I read these other reviews before me. I was eighteen years old when I first heard this album in 1977 and it blew me away then as it still does today. Al Dimeola is a master guitarist and it just amazes me how someone with such virtuoso talent as he obviously has can be criticized by these two bit miserable excuses for belly-aching, complaining, sh-t for brains amateurs like yourselves. It doesn't take someone schooled in musical theory to recognize Mr. Dimeola as the wondrous musician that he is. Go back to your Yes, Deep Purple or whatever the hell else you listen to (probably Kiss too, I suspect) and please don't darken these pages with your second rate complaints.

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

Land of the Midnight Sun

by: Al di Meola

Release Date March 01, 2008
This one is a great album. I've had the vinyl, the cassette and the CD. I didn't do that for Led Zeppelin.
Al DiMeola is a phenomenal guitar play and an imaginative writer. Get them all.

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

Splendido Hotel

by: Al di Meola

Release Date March 01, 2008
I just purchased Splendido Hotel for $9.99 new! Years ago, I had the album on wax, but never did give it a good listen. I put the CD in my PC (at work, no less), and gave it a good listen. My conclusion? This album has something for everyone. Gang, it's not as bad as some of the reviewers have said. I actually like "I can tell" where Al sings (he sounds okay...), I like the music better (of course!). Get yourself an inexpensive copy and enjoy! Four stars...why?..."Elegant Gypsy" is head and shoulders over "Splendido Hotel!" That's why!!

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

Elegant Gypsy

by: Al di Meola

Release Date August 21, 1984
I worship Hendrix, Beck, Page, Metheny, Holdsworth, Vaughan, Howe, you name 'em, I've got 'em. But over 30 years later I'm still amazed at what Mr. DiMeola does on this MASTERPIECE. I HATE awards and awards shows and polls but if I HAD TO CHOOSE(gun to my head) I would pick Al as the greatest ever and present Elegant Gypsy as exhibit # 1.

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

Anthology

by: Al di Meola

Release Date October 24, 2000
(Instrumental Proficiency and Musicianship 6 out of 5)

Well, I have been listening to this amazing 2-disc set over the last couple of days nonstop,and I must say that there are certain people in life who are simply unnaturally talented.....they seem so gifted in some very specific way; as if there is nothing in the world that they are more well suited for than one specific thing. Einstein was seemingly born to understand the world through mathematical models and theory, and Al di Meola was born to express and create through music. Al di Meola first became prominent in jazz circles via his association with jazz pioneer Chick Corea, who (along with others like Miles Davis and John McLaughlin) was creating a new "bohemian" style of jazz combining virtuoso-level playing and muscicianship ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

Consequence of Chaos

by: Al di Meola

Release Date September 26, 2006
It is pretty neat to see a musician who, after releasing many albums, produces something that may be his very best, and this after a long career of magnificent music. I wish he had more imitators. This album is so rich that it takes months to explore all of its facets.

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

Rite of Strings

by: Stanley Clarke, Al Di Meola, Jean-Luc Ponty

Release Date August 01, 1995
I really enjoyed the music on this CD. Truly HeavyWeights, great music for a long drive, but why is this CD now $25 Bucks ???