Jan Depner wrote:
On Sun, 2005-01-30 at 14:05, Lee Revell wrote:Apparently Al did too. Some time ago he gave an interview in which he stated rather flatly that he didn't think much of his earlier recorded stuff really stood up to his personal test of time. He felt the speed was 'way overdone, that too much of of the flash was just more style than substance.
On Sun, 2005-01-30 at 10:39 -0600, Jan Depner wrote:
Don't worry about speed with an instrument - it's way overrated. Less is definitely more in that department.
Anyone who tells you this has obviously never heard Yngwie Malmsteen's "Rising Force".
Yes, I've heard it. I used to be a big Al Dimeola fan too but I got over it.
Jan Hammer made similar remarks regarding his tenure with John McLaughlin.
OTOH, players like Malmsteen and a host of other flyers did raise the bar for the expected capabilities of a fully professional rock guitarist.
Speed does where speed is required. Musical sense should always prevail (except where it shouldn't). :)
If you haven't already seen it, check out Jim Jarmusch's "Dead Man". Johnny Depp plays the main character, the cast is filled with cameos, and the soundtrack is an entirely instrumental track played by Neil Young. Normally I can't stand his playing, but I love it for this movie.It's impressive to listen to but it's also tiring. I'm more partial to Gabor Szabo than Dimeola, McLaughlin, Malmsteen, Satriani, Vai and the rest. One of my favorite guitar solos is Neil Young's one-note solo on Cinnamon Girl.
Best,
dp
