Drummer reacts to "Race with Devil on a Spanish Highway" (Live) by Al Di Meola

[@jamesrawlins735]

Maybe the greatest jazz/rock guitarist of all time.

[@chaosandcreation4118]

Al Di Meola is considered by many to be the first Shredder. He was in a band with Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke and Lenny White. All among the greatest Jazz and or Fusion musicians of any era. Return To Forever was the name and their lineup did three albums that blew the top of Fusion. Other lineups did great Jazz as well. He also did tours with Paco de Lucia and John McLaughlin as The Trio, an unbelievable acoustic experience you should also discover. Mediterranean Sundanse is a classic from Paco and him.

[@jns8393]

Elegant Gypsy is a first class album with great production!

[@uncnorseman2670]

His Live - Tour de Force album is a must have for any music lover! To do this live??? ELP on steroids!

[@majorharper4087]

Steve Gadd is a bad man! Still playing and has a resume unmatched!

[@lindaulloa4786]

Al DiMeola is a great guitarist. I've seen him a few times and he gives a great performance!

[@alexharbison4411]

Nice reaction I only saw this guy once I the early 70's with Return to Forever. Stanley Clark was the Bassist for that band and he was as big a solo act as Al. School Days is a good one.

[@markdrechsler5660]

Al is touring right now, playing this 70’s electric fusion. Go see him if you can.

[@cholatse6745]

Congratulation, you found one of the technical but also emotional most impressive Jazz Fusion Guitar player. He’s IMHO opinion one of the greatest guitar player out there. You have to be top skilled to catch up with his playing. His flamenco duett with Paco de Lucia - another guitar giant - is legendary as well. He was 18 only, when he was invited by Chick Corea to join Return to Forever a ground breaking Jazz Fusion band in the 70is. Saw him several times live and he is btw a very gentle man off stage. I really like your channel, you more or less scroll trough the discography of my youth 😊 Today a die hard Band-Maid fan 😅

[@jcr9520]

This song is how I turned several of my metal head high school friends on to good fusion jazz in the 80s. A little Jaco after that and year later they were all listening enthusiastically to Weather Report and Chick Corea. I read in an interview that Al had grown up listening to Doc Watson and strove to match his speed, and never quite getting there, and all the time never realizing that Watson was a finger picker. So, Al had actually become faster with a flat pick than he had realized.

[@martinduner1844]

Al Di Meola - Guitar Philippe Saisse - Keyboards Tim Landers - Bass Robbie Gonzalez - Drums Wlodek Gulgowski - E-Piano Eddie Colon - Percussions

[@alberthaust4542]

You heard Al play acoustic guitar when you listened to Romantic Warrior by Return to Forever.

[@williamflinchum-qo6ch]

I saw him perform this live in Concert in 1977/ with Weather Report! MY hair was standing on end all night😮😮😮😮😮

[@MisterWondrous]

Brilliant choice. This is almost as good as "Duel of the Tyrant and Jester", which contains Al's blistering shreds, but also Chick Corea's blistering shreds, Stanley Clarke's blistering shreds, and Lenny White's blistering shreds. During my guitar phase, I created a lame attempt at the rapid plectrum, with a bend toward surf music, and with the name "Surfing with Sataniel". Avoid at all costs. "Mediterranean Sundance" is the real masterpiece on Al's album, by my reckoning, but this was my second favorite. I saw Al in concert...but guess whom the Einsteins had him open for. Renaissance. DOH! Both top shelf. But no other reason to pair the two. It was a real disservice to Annie. Imagine having to follow Al DiMeola!

[@L33Reacts]

Yeah how do you follow this?? While I was recording last night, this came right after "Lemmings" by VDGG and my brain almost blew out of my skull by the end of this one LOL

[@MisterWondrous]

@@L33Reacts LOL! In future, you might want to leave him until the end. Can't top him. I will tend to create playlists that start with short songs, to rope em in, and get longer (she said) with each thong, I mean song. I have a lisp.

[@davidmckenzie420]

Love Al. Love this studio album--especially Mediterranean Sundance. And check out his duets with Paco de Lucia!

[@sergebrunet4218]

Al, yes that s a super great Spanish guitarist ! known him since the 70s ! The album Elctric Rendez-vous is great but you need to listen to more of him on acoustic guitar ! Glad you like him ! and Paco also is a legend ! 😎

[@gregjones861]

If anyone has the Bill Bruford autobiography, there is a great story about the session that he and Tony Levin were booked for to record with Al DiMeola at Caribou studio in the snow during winter. Oh and this was great, BTW.

[@L33Reacts]

Glad you enjoyed it Greg! I did too. This was excellent. Now I want to read that story you mentioned 🤣

[@12floz67]

I was fortunate enough to see him at a guitar clinic. He’s phenomenal. Paul Gilbert and Andy Timmons were there as well. Needless to say it was a shitload of fun!🍻

[@ronjm945]

Maestro Al DeMeola is a guitar god 🎸.

[@BuddyAkin478]

Great video! So glad you got to hear Al Di Meola, one of my all-time favorites. You might also like Mediterranean Sundance, a beautiful track from Elegant Gypsy, where he shares the shredder spotlight with the late/great Paco de Lucia. There are also great live versions on YT, but I'd go for the classic recording first. Be ready for a musical roller coaster ride!

[@KeithW-gp3vm]

Saw this performance in Berlin, Ger. Amazing musicians.

[@deanzaZZR]

I saw Al twice, both times in acoustic guitar mode. The first time playing with Paco De Lucia and John McLaughlin. The second time decades later playing with Jean Luc Ponty and Stanley Clarke. I was entertained.

[@mikemitton6447]

I saw Al DiMeola in concert in the late 80's! He was phenomenal!

[@jlb6]

Chick Corea and John McGlaughlin played Miles Davis’s Bitches Brew. Out of there- the Mahavishnu Orchestra and Return to Forever. Al. Took over from Bill Connor in Return to Forever. Sanatana was in the mix too,his album with John -Love Devotion and Surrender is intense . John, Al, and Paco Dilucia (pardon my spelling) toured together

[@davidguthrie3739]

The prince of palm muting

[@paulocunha357]

Saw him play in a club in Toronto in the mid 80's. Incredible performance! Check out Friday Night in San Francisco which is a 1981 live album by Al Di Meola, John McLaughlin and Paco de Lucía.

[@andrewwallace4481]

Jazz Rock of the Highest Order from Al Di Meola :-) Stanley Clarke (bassist) is a Fav of Mine brilliant Jazz Rock music The Album Journey to Love is a must listen :-)

[@jlocke78759]

Just saw him (again) this past January in a very small theatre here in Austin (State Theatre). Probably the fourth or fifth time I've seen him. Always a great show, and this show was all electric, with an emphasis on his early stuff. He had Gumbi Ortiz on percussion. Go see him if you get a chance!

[@glenndespres5317]

Elegant Gypsy is one of my favorite albums and Race is one of my favorite songs by Al D. He is phenomenal. The studio version of this album is well worth a listen. Now that you’re here, Elegant Gypsy Suite seems like a natural next song to me!

[@loriebeshara6633]

We saw him live in Denver. The greatest ever

[@stevedahlberg8680]

Wow this is an unexpected pleasure. I used to play this album all the time it was so good. And I love the fact that Paco de Lucia was in on the original recording. He's another Guitar Hero of mine. He's like that Spanish guitar flamenco master. But my favorite from Al Di Meola is from either of the album right before or after this one, and it's epic and it's amazing, and it's Suite Golden Dawn. Starts off with a fusion Rock Jazz intro, and ultimately settles into one of the funkiest funkiest complex grooves ever. And everybody in that band on that recording adjust the cream of the crop. And there's a lot of interplay between I think it's Chick Corea on the keyboards and Al, except it's really extended and it's this game of 1ups ship and it's incredible and meanwhile it's just grooving out so hard. But we saw a taste of that right here in this video If you recall between the keys and the lead guitar. m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/joenh2OXjtSpldk&pp=ygUec3VpdGUgZ29sZGVuIGRhd24gYWwgZGkgbWVvbGEg

[@bobschenkel7921]

Al DiMeola making that Gibson Sunburst do some work. His solo work is awesome, as is his time with Return To Forever, a Jazz Fusion Supergroup with Chick Corea and Stanley Clark. As they say, it's ALL good.

[@mikeholmes5308]

I love watching you come to these legendary performances for the first time. Fun response! Rock on, Lee!

[@williammuntzer7374]

Great choice and reaction. I was lucky enough to see Al perform at a little club called Havana's in New Hope, PA several years ago. It's a small club that holds about 100 people. What an awesome concert experience. My favorite song by him is Fantasia Suite for Two Guitars. I highly recommend it if you enjoy his playing. Thanks!

[@lookmanohands1966]

Another awesome pic man. Loved Al since the 80's.

[@jazzzman8050]

I love rock music, but this era of fusion music puts most of it in the rear view mirror.

[@jazzzman8050]

Good observation about the thin line between prog and fusion, especially in those days 👍

[@CosmicRideMusic]

Well, apparently I need to check out Al and his works. I usually stay away from the "guitar gods," I mean I'm familiar at a distance with some guys like Satriani and Vai, and I know of a number of others, but for me they usually feel like instrumental overkill. But THIS is mind blowing to me. Like I found The Mars Volta's original playbook or something. That Al guy can really shred. Thanks Lee!

[@nunyabusiness3920]

Al's super nice guy, Rick Beato did a whole interview with him on KZbin. Almost died a couple months ago.

[@davidgale7384]

The man plays flamenco guitar (spanish) so his ability at fast fingering is second nature. Guitarist for Return for Forever and Weather Report and many others as a studio and concert player. You may also enjoy some tunes of a friend of his... violist Jean Luc Pontey(spelling?)

[@daveboyer1541]

He was NOT the guitarist for Weather Report.

[@michaelbriefs9764]

Lee, this band was not the same band as on the Elegant Gypsy album. I believe this was his Splendido Hotel band, from 1980. Here is a list of the musicians from the album, some of whom joined him on the tour: Bass Guitar - Bass Guitar: Tim Landers Congas, Bongos - Mingo Lewis Drums - Robbie Gonzalez Electronic Drums [Syndrum] - Mingo Lewis Keyboards - Philippe Saisse Marimba - Philippe Saisse Percussion - Eddie Colon, Mingo Lewis Synthesizer [Moogbass] - Philippe Saisse Synthesizer [Oberheim] - Peter Cannarozzi

[@bukeksiansu2112]

Two to Tango with Chick Corea makes me smile.

[@diverdown631]

I saw Al month,as good as ever. Al has been playing all over the world for decades.I think you've checked out Return to forever ,if so you have seen him.

[@davidguthrie3739]

Pinky vibrato!! 😮

[@spiderbass65]

You have to listen to the studio version. Anthony Jackson on bass makes me drool.

[@edalisauskas7313]

Remember the Return to Forever track you reacted to about a week ago? He was the guitar player on it You need to react to ‘Duel of the Jester and the Tyrant’ from RTF Same vibe as this. You won’t regret it

[@L33Reacts]

I think it was a month ago now, but yeah, I remember!! That's wild. I knew I recognized the name lol

[@jrusso4753]

Gonna poop on everyone's parade here. Di Meola is an awesome guitar technician. I think his contracts specified that he was paid in notes per second. His playing is astoundingly good and accurate. HOWEVER, where's the musical and emotional statement?? I've been a musician for all of my 71 years. I like watching Al, but musically I'd rather hear BB King play one note and mean it. Or Hendrix hit wrong notes, but play it. I guess we all have personal expectations in what we consider a "wow' factor. Aside from technical prowess, Al's fusion stuff has never wowed me at all. Sorry. I still wish you all peace and love. Thank you, Lee! God bless.

[@davidboivin7996]

This off the album Elegant Gypsy. 1977

[@stevedahlberg8680]

Al Di Meola Suite Golden Dawn: m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/joenh2OXjtSpldk&pp=ygUec3VpdGUgZ29sZGVuIGRhd24gYWwgZGkgbWVvbGEg

[@philsharron1184]

You are gonna love this song

[@williamflinchum-qo6ch]

Check him out with Return To Forever/ The Sorcerer live, for another mind blowing performance!😊😊

[@steveaitch729]

check his acoustic versions.

[@treehopper1000]

If you liked this, you should check out Paco De Lucia, Al Di Meola and John McLaughlin - Mediterranian Sun Dance Live

[@deanroddey2881]

I think I mentioned this elsewhere, but check out some tracks from "Passion, Grace and Fire", which is Al DiMiola, John McLaughlin, and Paco de Lucia. It's pretty ridiculous.

[@stevecopley6542]

Lee, just a shout out, I've been watching your channed for a while, the best thing is that you do songs like this one, and Alice Cooper - Halo of Flies, one of their finest works, etc, etc. Nice to not see, Neil Young Old Man BBC video again. By the way Neil has some fantastic stuff from much later albums, check him out, Prarie Wind, Silver and Gold, to name a couple. Thanks for your reactions and time you spend on them. Keep on keeping on!

[@stevecopley6542]

I'm 63 yrs old and have seen early concerts for many of the artists you've covered, best one was 'Rust Never Sleeps' in 1978 Maple Leaf Gardens, loudest concert I've been too. Too add, Alison Krauss and Union Station, the Dillard's, Ozark Mountain Daredevils, and John Hartford.

[@davidwolf4677]

Al has those flamenco chops on acoustic or electric.

[@lassekristoffersen5906]

Ha ha ha... Like the quiet Simon and no Garfunkel. The song Duncan... have been waiting for Al DI Laughlin De LUCIA and soon race with DEVIL on spanish highway. - You33 pretend not to now nothing. - Wait til I introduse you to Terje Rypdal. Some twenty Ms rolling stone...long before the audience will hear it. A slowlearning master.

[@mikemitton6447]

If you wantvto hear an awesome DiMeola tune, listen to Alien Chase on Arabian Desert!

[@michaelgarcia2050]

His craziest shredding was on his first album. There are some mediocre songs on that album also, but the moments where he's shredding are insanely aggressive.

[@paulkossak7761]

Hear alot a Zappa

[@axolotl8694]

nice choice and nice reaction... Al is kinda brain-exploding, isn't he? he did a nice interview a couple years ago with Rick Beato, would highly recommend. addendum... you know it's a good lick when 10 minutes after listening you find you're still humming it to yourself. :-)

[@Relayer6a]

As a guitarist I've noticed that you like to talk during guitar solos. I haven't watched this video yet, but you are going to have ample opportunities. 🤣

[@eximusic]

Al Di Meola - nerdy achievement guitarist who joined Return to Forever at 19. I enjoyed him back then. But after a while the novelty of "he plays fast" kind of wears off. This kind of "jazz" fusion was kind of common back then (and not that jazzy). All the keyboardists sounded like Jan Hammer and all had minimoogs.

[@mikesfamilyNfriends]

I detect a Zappa influence.

[@davidguthrie3739]

Not too many cover bands taking this one on.

[@alexdrummer2175]

Hmmm, that just doesn't look like Gadd on the drums. I do know that Lenny White played drums on the studio version

[@lassekristoffersen5906]

Told you. Thes boss ha ha ha boring boring boring. - Then rather pisssing in the river by PATTIIIIII Smith.

[@jonathan.palfrey]

The studio version is more musical, better to listen to calmly; the live version is more of a spectacle. Both good in their way. Al Di Meola’s early solo albums are good. As time went on, he became blander. He remains an expert guitar player, but these days he seems to me to be playing finger exercises rather than playing music. Probably others can hear music in it…

[@tadpoleslamp]

I don't think that was Hammer 🔨⚒️ on the keyboard 🎹.

[@bobschenkel7921]

Kinda sorta sounds like some King Crimson, in a way.

[@L33Reacts]

I agree. Big prog vibes at points! I absolutely loved this.

[@nathaliecordier-p2c]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3Xal6yupdecd68si=0iL4-v0cobiWiD6G Al Di Meola Paco de Lucia

[@tadpoleslamp]

Pronounced like yahn.

[@MJM1309]

I saw him a while back in Fort Wayne. I also saw him many many many years ago in Philadelphia were I grew up. Al is the greatest guitar player from New Jersey Sorry Bruce it's not you lol. Before my friend who I jammed with many years ago was killed. Scott who could play everything Al played on guitar. He did it by using a turntable and slowed it way down to hear every note. Once he did that he just sped it up to Al speed IN ONE WEEK learned this whole album RIP Scott