Friday, January 27, 2012

Al Di Meola, "Morocco Fantasia" DVD


Guitar virtuoso Al Di Meola and his World Sinfonia made what can best be termed a triumphant appearance at the Mawazine Festival in Rabat, Morocco recently. The concert and surrounding musical sidebars were well recorded for posterity and now appear in crisp visual and excellent 5:1 sound on the DVD Morocco Fantasia (inakustik).

Di Meola's World Sinfonia comprises Al on acoustic and electric guitars, a second guitarist, accordion, percussion, drums and bass. For this concert they are joined part of the time by some excellent Moroccan musicians on oud, violin and percussion.

It's a very interesting concert, with of course Al's pyrotechnic guitar styling, here mostly acoustic, some very interesting compositions and, especially for the segment where Moroccan musicians are involved, a fascinating and moving combination of folk-fusion and Moroccan musical forms.

In addition to the main concert segments we get Di Meola jamming with local musicians at the marketplace bazaar, and additional rehearsal, soundcheck and concert footage. The DVD goes on for a generous two-plus hours.

Very much recommended for world and fusion fans.

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