SPLENDIDO HOTEL

Al Di Meola

Jazz Rock/Fusion

3.05 | 116 ratings

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Evolver
Special Collaborator
Crossover & JR/F/Canterbury Teams

This album was the first I ever owned by Al Dimeola as a solo artists, so even though it is a very uneven album, it hold a place in my heart.

Alien Chase On Arabian Desert is one of my favorite Di Meola fusion pieces. It's everything a good fusion song should be, technical and exciting, and full of twists and turns. This one does not let you down. Silent Story In Her Eyes is more like what Di Meola has been recording for years, nice spanich guitars and a pleasant melody. After the excitement of the first song, this is a good breather.

Roller Jubilee is the first real letdown of the album. A disco beat pumps behind a nicely played, but sort of bland melody. Two To Tango is just what it sound like, a tango duet - with Di Meola and Chick Corea. Al Di's Dream Theme, even though Corea doesn't appear on it, it sounds like a Corea tune.

Dinner Music Of The Gods is a strong driving piece, and with that title it had better be. And it's breathtaking. And to gain back your breath, Di Meola follows it with Splendido Sundance, a Spanish acoustic duet with himself. I Can Tell is one of those bland, light fusion pieces that record company executives love. Interesting note: Di Meola sings lead vocals on this. He's not bad, but the song is highly forgettable.

And speaking of fogettable, there's the bland dinner music of the classic Spanish Eyes. An appearance by Les Paul saves this from being a total waste. Isfahan is a dreamy, Middle-Eastern classical-based piece by Corea. It's acyually quite nice. The album closes with Bianca's Midnight Lullaby, a light classical guitar piece.

So while there is definitely some filler on this double album, there is still enough good material to earn it three stars.

Evolver | 3/5 | 2010-10-18

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