FRIDAY NIGHT IN SAN FRANCISCO

Not every proghead will be pleased with this addition (an acoustic blend of jazz, blues, rock and flamenco) but I'm delighted about it because it evokes very pleasant memories. I have seen this trio two times, first in the south of France in '81 (in an ancient bullfight arena) and then in my hometown The Hague, it was completely sold out and loaded with guitarfreaks. I remember that one yelled in a sheer euphoric state "this is better than sex with my wife!". On this album you can enjoy the amazing skills and different styles from three virtuosic guitarplayers: Paco De Lucia with his innovative flamenco guitar technique, John McLaughlin with his stunning speed and, last but not least, Al DiMeola with his distinctive 'deading' of the strings. The interplay (in different duo's and in the end as a trio) is awesome, a genuine "guitar heaven"! The way they follow or challenge each other is so exciting, these three musicians are the absolute summit. They play jazz, rock, blues and of course flamenco and there is even room for humor when they start to play the tune of the Pink Panther, very cool! I have to admit that at some moments the 'scale-acrobatics' sound a bit freaky but in general this is superb guitarwork, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO ALL GUITAR AFICIONADOS!!

Review 2 Prog Archives has turned into a very eclectic site because this week we could celebrate inclusions by Iron Maiden and ... John McLaughlin, one of the most skillfull, innovative and acclaimed guitarists in the world! In the late Seventies and early Eighties I was very much into jazzrock so I discovered John McLaughlin and gradually purchased albums from him with the Mahavishnu Orchestra, with Carlos Santana and of course solo. One of his most exciting project is with two other great guitar players, Paco De Lucia and Al DiMeola. I have seen this trio two times, first in the south of France in '81 (in an ancient bullfight arena) and then in my hometown The Hague, it was completely sold out and loaded with guitarfreaks. I remember that one yelled in a sheer euphoric state "this is better than sex with my wife!". On this album you can enjoy the amazing skills and different styles from three virtuosic guitarplayers: Paco De Lucia with his innovative flamenco guitar technique, John McLaughlin with his stunning speed and Al DiMeola with his distinctive 'deading' of the strings. The interplay (in different duo's and in the end as a trio) is awesome, a genuine "guitar heaven"! The way they follow or challenge each other is so exciting, these three musicians are the absolute summit. They play jazz, rock, blues and of course flamenco and there is even room for humor when they start to play the tune of the Pink Panther, very cool! I have to admit that at some moments the 'scale-acrobatics' sound a bit freaky but in general this is superb guitarwork. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO ALL GUITAR AFICIONADOS!