Al Di Meola New Album - Pursuit of Radical Rhapsody + Summer European tour dates
Guitar great Al Di Meola releases new works with his World Sinfonia Band Pursuit of Radical Rhapsody
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Following the much ballyhooed 'Return to Forever' reunion tour of 2008, guitarist Al Di Meola began refocusing his energies on his World Sinfonia band.
Live in Seattle and Elsewhere documented his tightly-knit chemistry in concert on a 2009 tour with his acoustic ensemble of accordionist Fausto Beccalossi, second guitarist Kevin Seddiki, bassist Victor Miranda, drummer Peter Kaszas and Di Meola's longtime collaborator Gumbi Ortiz on cajon and assorted hand percussion.
Di Meola's rhythmically-charged flamenco and tango inspired originals revealed his knack for advanced harmonies along with his embracing of simple, beautiful, alluring melodies. And although he may be aromantic at heart, he showed that he is still very much capable of flashing those legendary chops that graced his '70s classics like Elegant Gypsy and Casino.
On Di Meola's latest outing, Pursuit of Radical Rhapsody, released on Telarc, a division of Concord Music Group, the guitar virtuoso and world music pioneer deals in more evocative and compelling sounds with his World Sinfonia ensemble, delivering hauntingly beautiful and deeply moving music from track to track.
The collection kicks off with the entrancing, suite-like "Siberiana," which opens with some tender call-and-response between Beccalossi's accordion and Di Meola's nylon string acoustic guitar before building to a turbulent section with searing electric guitar lines on top. On the affecting "Paramour's Lullaby," Di Meola takes a more deliberate approach on electric guitar, spinning warm, lyrical lines over the beautiful harmonies before engaging in spirited call-and-response with Beccalossi near the end of the piece.
The rhythmically charged "Mawazine" (featuring percussionist Mino Cinelu) is broken up into two parts on the album and showcases some typically tasty electric guitar work by the leader.
The lushly cinematic "Michelangelo's 7th Child" (featuring Hungary's Sturcz String Quartet) has Di Meola utilizing subtle MIDI textures and colorations on his acoustic guitar while also showcasing some virtuosic runs. "Gumbiero" is a stirring Latin number underscored by Ortiz's churning conga work.
Sparks fly between Di Meola's signature fretboard bravado on both acoustic and electric, Beccalossi's facile accordion playing and Gonzalo Rubalcaba's dazzling piano work on this spirited offering.
"Full Frontal Contrapuntal" features some chops-busting unisons and intricate exchanges between Al's MIDI-tinged acoustic guitar and Beccalossi's accordion. The surging "This Way Before" and the evocative, flamenco inspired "Fireflies" both feature Di Meola alternating between acoustic and distortion-laced electric guitar licks.
The stirring Latin flavoured "Destination Gonzalo" and "Radical Rhapsody" both feature virtuosic contributions from pianist Rubalcaba and former Weather Report drummer Peter Erskine. The poignant "Bona" is a tender offering with the Sturcz String Quartet that features some of Di Meola's most lyrical playing on the record.
The leader also turns in soothing interpretations of two classic pop tunes, the Beatles' "Strawberry Fields" and "Somewhere over the Rainbow," both of which feature the great jazz bassist Charlie Haden.
Al Di Meola - Pursuit of Radical Rhapsody EPK - watch video:
Summer European Tour Dates:
(Dates and information subject to change. Go to his Official Website for the latest tour dates and information.)
June 2011
03/6/2011 XV Festival De Jazz de Primavera, Ourense, Spain
04/6/2011 Villa Pallavicino, Stresa, Italy
06/6/2011 Filarmonica Timisoara, Timisora, Romania
08/6/2011 Beirut Arts and Music Festival, Beirut, Lebanon
29/6/2011 Union Chapel, London, UK
July 2011
01/7/2011 Opera House, Vienna, Austria
02/7/2011 TBD, Milan, Italy
04/7/2011 Ljubljana Festival, Ljubljana, Slovenia
05/7/2011 Fabrik, Hamburg, Germany
08/7/2011 Marquee, Gent, Belgium, World Sinfonia (special guest Gonzalo Rubalcaba)
09/7/2011 Parc de Champagne, Reims, France, World Sinfonia (special guest Gonzalo Rubalcaba)
24/7/2011 TBD, Antalya, Turkey
27/7/2011 TBD, Cesme-Izmir, Turkey
29/7/2011 Palacio De La Opera, La Coruna, Spain
30/7/2011 Kulturufer, Freidrichshafen, Germany
August 2011
02/8/2011 TBD, Marciac, France, World Sinfonia (with special guest Gonzalo Rubalcaba)
05/8/2011 Tupelo Music Hall, Londonderry (NH), USA
06/8/2011 Newport Jazz Festival, Newport (RI), USA
07/8/2011 Musikfest Cafe, Bethlehem (PA), USA
10/8/2011 Serravalle Outlet Jazz Festival, Serravalle, Italy
11/8/2011 Festival Da Jazz, St. Moritz, Switzerland
13/8/2011 TBD, Cecina, Italy
Photo credit: Franceso Cabras
Buy CDs, MP3s, more:
For the latest tour dates and information, go to:
Al Di Meola Official Website
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