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NEW ALBUM: Al Di Meola - Opus - Printable Version

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NEW ALBUM: Al Di Meola - Opus - Ruby - 25-02-2018

AL DI MEOLA ~ Opus 

[Image: MI0004367164.jpg?partner=allrovi.com]

Track listing:

  1. Milonga Noctiva [Wandering in the Dark]
  2. Broken Heart
  3. Ava's Dream Sequence Lullaby
  4. Cerreto Sannita (My Grandfather's Village Near Napoli)
  5. Notorious
  6. Frozen in Time
  7. Escapado
  8. Pomp
  9. Left Unsaid
  10. Insieme
  11. Rebels
Joie de vive, well-being, contentment – these are some of the descriptors that spring to mind upon hearing Di Meola’s Opus. At 63, he’s in a happy place in his life, both personally and professionally, and I’m sure he couldn’t care one iota about anyone’s opinion of his music right now, although that said, it’s unlikely anyone will take him too much to task for a work that positively beams good vibes, even if they appear to be a little on the soft side, and in any event, appearances can be deceiving.

It’s a happy listen IMHO, nice and clean and crisp in a fusion of styles and influences, including jazz, Latin, and Flamenco, and we even get a peek into Al’s inner rock star, a la the almost Gilmour-esque “Broken Heart”. Sure there’s a little meandering, but paradoxically, it seems purposeful to me, and I don’t mind some straying off the beaten track, however, he’ll no doubt get criticism from the harder core jazz contingent along with comparisons to his previous works – can’t please all the people all the time.

He alternates between acoustic and electric guitars and the album is instrumental. I recommend listening only rather than watching him strut his publicity shots; modesty is a not a word I’d associate with this particular virtuoso. On the other hand, I notice he has opted for a golden crowned knight on the cover of this album which is infinitely preferable to the dreadful Elysium and one or two other rather questionable previous ‘artworks’ such as the unforgettable Kiss My Axe, lol!  Blush  

I wouldn’t go so far as to say this is a tour de force, but it’s is a very pleasing thing overall; easy on the ear without compromising interest.
 
A live performance of “Frozen in Time” – loved the album/studio version on which you can hear the icy, breathless stillness that isn’t really done justice here, but anyway … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wrW3-_vJ68
 
The aforementioned “Broken Heart” …





RE: NEW ALBUM: Al Di Meola - Opus - Music Head - 25-02-2018

^^
makes me wish I spoke guitar

RE: NEW ALBUM: Al Di Meola - Opus - Jerome - 25-02-2018

Superb track - love this clip!!

RE: NEW ALBUM: Al Di Meola - Opus - Music Head - 25-02-2018

woo-hoo!!!!
Jerome is back

RE: NEW ALBUM: Al Di Meola - Opus - Jerome - 25-02-2018

Just been a bit preoccupied with things this side. Lots of things going on at present. Mainly wine, women and song - not necessarily in that order! Seeing as I am a Cancerian (translation = moody sod), 'Hide in Your Shell' by Supertramp comes to mind......................LOL!

I think I must be tri-polar??

RE: NEW ALBUM: Al Di Meola - Opus - CRAZY-HORSE - 25-02-2018

LOL...tri-polar!

good to have you back J-Man, thought you had fallen off a mountain into a crevice never to be heard from again!

either that or your "file-13" folder fell on you and crushed you under its weight, LOL

RE: NEW ALBUM: Al Di Meola - Opus - Music Head - 19-02-2019

courtesy of Spotify

guess I haven't listened to this guy since 78's Casino
background music is hard to listen to in the foreground

if I must pick





RE: NEW ALBUM: Al Di Meola - Opus - CRAZY-HORSE - 19-02-2019

(19-02-2019, 13:35)Music Head Wrote: background music is hard to listen to in the foreground

you should have moved to the back of the room when you listened to it then!