DI MEOLA - MCLAUGHLIN - DE LUCIA: FRIDAY NIGHT IN SAN FRANCISCO

Performer: Al Di Meola, John McLaughlin, Paco De Lucia
Author: Di Meola- Mclaughlin- De Lucia
Number of discs: 2
Label: Impex Records
Support: LP 45 rpm
Genre: Jazz
Year: 2020

Second unnumbered edition
Strictly analogue edition on 180 gram LP at 45 rpm
Remastered by Bernie Grundman from the original analog tapes
If ever there was a live concert recording that literally mesmerized audiences with the mastery of its acoustic guitars, it's Friday Night in San Francisco. The concert that took place on the evening of December 5, 1980 in a completely sold out Warfield Theater is something more than an Olympic-level performance by three guitar giants. This was an event that certainly stirred the contrasting styles of its performers like never before. Paco de Lucia, the incredible wizard of flamenco was almost involuntarily adopted among jazz guitarists. John McLaughlin a pungent guitarist who had already taken part in the recording sessions of Bitches Brew with Miles Davis and his Mahavishnu Orchestra (“Inner Mounting Flame”), reveals his more tender and melodic side in this album. Al di Meola takes his 1976 ethno-pop hit "Mediterranean Sun Dance" to dizzying new heights, as is only possible in a live performance. The spontaneous applause to the slightly bluesy “Pink Panther” theme further underlines that this album is simply beautiful.

Thanks to a perfect recording from all points of view, the painstaking remastering carried out by the legendary Bernie Grundman and the pressing on 180 gram LP at 45 rpm, each artist is reproduced loud and clear in this sort of competition. It is up to the listener to decide who is the best.

Tracklists
A-side
Mediterranean Sundance / Rio Ancho

Side B
Short Tales of the Black Forest

C side
Frevo Rasgado

D side
Fantasy Suite
Guardian Angel