Listeners who still think of Al Di Meola merely as a fusion shredder haven’t closely followed the more adventurous paths his career has taken-reflected by acoustic recordings like Cielo e Terra and World Sinfonia, which reveal the guitarist’s subtle, deep feeling and thinking sides. Featuring a mix of previously released material and newly recorded works, Di Meola Plays Piazzolla continues in that direction while paying tribute to the late Astor Piazzolla, the father of modern tango and one of the most unique voices in contemporary South American music.
Of the set’s ten selections, all but two are solely by Piazzolla (“Verano Reflections” is a collaboration, “Last Tango For Astor” an original tribute). Throughout, Al approaches the frequently complex music with a combination of great aplomb and sensitivity, shaping compositions like “Miloga Del Angel,” a dynamic solo piece, and “Bordel 1900,” with Dino Saluzzi on bandoneon and Arto Tuncboyacian on percussion, into unique multidimensional musical panoramas.
Al Di Meola: Di Meola Plays Piazzolla
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