Dinner with Al Di Meola

Dinner with Al Di Meola (Full Version)

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JasonM -> Dinner with Al Di Meola (Sep. 11 2021 17:04:42)
Al post about his “Dinner with Al experience” on Facebook but I never bothered to look for more info.. https://www.aldimeola.com/house-events The base package is a nice dinner with Al at his home in New Jersey and you can ask him questions about the Guitar Trio and such.. $7500 for two people. Packages go up from there if you want to jam or have a lesson too, or even take home a PRS. Which is crazy, but also a brilliant gig for Al! Would you have paid 7500$ to hang out at Paco’s house for a night? Idk, it’s kind of weird because it’s like your “friends” but your not. Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px

Ricardo -> RE: Dinner with Al Di Meola (Sep. 11 2021 17:13:19)
How about al comes to my house, I only charge him $200 and we order pizza?

Estevan -> RE: Dinner with Al Di Meola (Sep. 11 2021 19:46:53)
quote: How about al comes to my house, I only charge him $200 and we order pizza? ¡Eso es!

chester -> RE: Dinner with Al Di Meola (Sep. 11 2021 20:22:20)
The hustle is real... but I'd rather hang out with Steve Lukather.

Piwin -> RE: Dinner with Al Di Meola (Sep. 11 2021 21:27:54)
From the first comment in the reviews section: "The coupe de gras came after desert" Let's hope that's a malapropism. Otherwise...yuck!

ernandez R -> RE: Dinner with Al Di Meola (Sep. 12 2021 0:20:16)
quote: ORIGINAL: Ricardo How about al comes to my house, I only charge him $200 and we order pizza? BYOG ? HR ps. supper busy but had to add my two centavos. Back to lurk mode for a coupe more weeks...

JasonM -> RE: Dinner with Al Di Meola (Sep. 12 2021 2:17:59)
quote: How about al comes to my house, I only charge him $200 and we order pizza? 😂😂😂

kitarist -> RE: Dinner with Al Di Meola (Sep. 12 2021 2:38:09)
quote: ORIGINAL: Ricardo How about al comes to my house, I only charge him $200 and we order pizza? Or you charge him $20,000 and tell him how to fix his Saturday night in SF release? [:D][:D]

Escribano -> RE: Dinner with Al Di Meola (Sep. 12 2021 9:18:09)
quote: From the first comment in the reviews section: "The coupe de gras came after desert" Let's hope that's a malapropism. Otherwise...yuck! Agreed

BarkellWH -> RE: Dinner with Al Di Meola (Sep. 12 2021 13:24:16)
quote: "The coupe de gras came after desert" Al's guest gets to choose between the guillotine and a garrote. Bill

Ricardo -> RE: Dinner with Al Di Meola (Sep. 12 2021 20:18:42)
quote: ORIGINAL: kitarist quote: ORIGINAL: Ricardo How about al comes to my house, I only charge him $200 and we order pizza? Or you charge him $20,000 and tell him how to fix his Saturday night in SF release? [:D][:D] [:D][:D][:D][;)][:D][:D]

zendalex -> RE: Dinner with Al Di Meola (Sep. 14 2021 15:02:40)
Lets say this is not for an average Joe. Al realized that he lives in Bergen Cty which is full of hedge fund managers who dont mind going and spending their money on the events like these. So this is his tapping directly and feeding on that crowd. Pretty smart idea, and no middle men involved.

Mark2 -> RE: Dinner with Al Di Meola (Sep. 14 2021 17:07:19)
Anyone see the Val Kilmer documentry on Netflix? Poor guy has lost his voice to throat cancer and is forced to do appearances at events for movie geeks. He says it's the lowest possible gig for a movie actor but when he sees the joy it brings his fans, he feels good about it. It must be hard to make a buck off of recordings these days, and when you hit 60, being on the road for a year is probably not all that great either. Al's raking it in where he can. Reminds me a bit of Kelly Slater's wave pool-his engineers created a perfect barreling wave-you can rent the facility for 50k a day or so, or you can paddle out in the ocean for free, and try to get a barrel. I'd rather listen to one of Al's records while I dine on my almost perfect spagetti sauce for free than listen to Al blather about how great he is. He is a pretty great musician, but I know that already. I don't give a crap what kind of strings he uses, or what his amp settings are. I'd probably want to say something rude about how bad his solos sound next to Paco's.

JasonM -> RE: Dinner with Al Di Meola (Sep. 14 2021 17:17:21)
When I first saw it on FB I thought he was just being gracious to his fans, maybe picking a few to come over and hang out. Yeah I’m naive I guess. But hey, if rich hedge fund guys are willing to pay, power to to him.

JasonM -> RE: Dinner with Al Di Meola (Sep. 14 2021 17:19:22)
quote: Reminds me a bit of Kelly Slater's wave pool-his engineers created a perfect barreling wave-you can rent the facility for 50k a day or so, or you can paddle out in the ocean for free, and try to get a barrel. I saw that too and my jaw dropped. Like 4K an hour or something… I’ll stick to SUPing round here

Mark2 -> RE: Dinner with Al Di Meola (Sep. 14 2021 18:15:46)
Yeah, it's absurd. I'd drop money to surf Kelly's wave before paying to suck up to Al. I suppose I'd pay a grand to surf Kelly's wave all day. I'm sure I'd blow the first few so I'd need at least a half dozen waves to get a few good ones. I've never tried SUP. It looks fun, but surfers around here generally vilify them. I heard the president of the local surf club order an unskilled one out of the water once. OTOH, I was watching OBSF once when it was 20ft, and the only guy out was on a standup. Have no idea how he made it out. That break is famous for being incredibly difficult to get out on big days. quote: ORIGINAL: JasonM quote: Reminds me a bit of Kelly Slater's wave pool-his engineers created a perfect barreling wave-you can rent the facility for 50k a day or so, or you can paddle out in the ocean for free, and try to get a barrel. I saw that too and my jaw dropped. Like 4K an hour or something… I’ll stick to SUPing round here

Stu -> RE: Dinner with Al Di Meola (Sep. 15 2021 14:32:20)
quote: Would you have paid 7500$ to hang out at Paco’s house for a night? No but I have paid $500 to hang out at Gerardo Nunez house a few times! free jam sessions included. nay encouraged!

zendalex -> RE: Dinner with Al Di Meola (Sep. 15 2021 14:48:31)
Just for comparison, Diego del Morao was in NY about 5y ago and there was a hang out in some other guy's apartment in the city and they charged $70 for the event. Unfortunately Diego speaks no English so I passed on that one. I feel almost disgusted when somebody spends last money to just see another person. That other person is not God, just another human being. So yes s/he achieved recognition, but I guarantee I can find where s/he totally sucks and where I am good at. Like I said, the target audience here is really rich folks for whom ordering a bottle of some derelict wine for 10k on daily basis is just normal and they dont strain themselves at all doing that. And there are a bunch of them living in NYC and its a short ride to Bergen county for them. Now having said all that, yes I would pay $500 to hang out with Paco or Vicente.. But not thousands, it is just insane.

BarkellWH -> RE: Dinner with Al Di Meola (Sep. 15 2021 16:31:14)
quote: Now having said all that, yes I would pay $500 to hang out with Paco or Vicente.. But not thousands, it is just insane. I wouldn't pay $7,500 to have dinner with Di Meola and I wouldn't pay $500 just to rub shoulders for a couple of hours with Paco or Vicente. (Paying for lessons is another matter). I think people who pay to "hang out" with their idols are no better than "groupies" who get a thrill from proximity to fame. What they should realize is their idol will not give them a second thought when the dinner or "hang out" period is over. Their idol will go on to the next "groupie(s)" who are willing to help subsidize their idol's lifestyle, all the while thinking they have a "special" connection with their idol. Bill

JasonM -> RE: Dinner with Al Di Meola (Sep. 15 2021 16:31:59)
quote: I've never tried SUP. It looks fun, but surfers around here generally vilify them I’ve heard that too, but some of these racers blow my mind paddling 14x24 displacement hull boards head on in the surf, in these technical races. And now all the latest rage is the foilers, never tried it myself. Not much wave action in these parts!

zendalex -> RE: Dinner with Al Di Meola (Sep. 15 2021 17:50:31)
quote: I wouldn't pay $500 Well $500 is what a good all inclusive hotel charge in Mexico or Jamaica, per day. And I did pay this much once in a while on vacations. So in reality utility of that one day in a luxury hotel or utility of "rubbing shoulders" with one of my idols, they are similar in fact I would prefer the latter. What I don't understand is if somebody would go out of the way for the latter experience and then deny oneself their normal lifestyle, starve for a year or not buy a new car if the old one is shabby or broken.

Stu -> RE: Dinner with Al Di Meola (Sep. 15 2021 20:20:38)
the 500 I spent was actually the tuition course fees for Gerry's course. The hanging out was/is a bonus really

BarkellWH -> RE: Dinner with Al Di Meola (Sep. 15 2021 21:07:24)
quote: the 500 I spent was actually the tuition course fees for Gerry's course. The hanging out was/is a bonus really Understood, Stu. Bill

Mark2 -> RE: Dinner with Al Di Meola (Sep. 15 2021 21:21:44)
I tend to shy away from meeting celebs. I never hung out after a Paco or Vicente concert hoping to shake their hand or get an autograph. I figure I saw the concert, it's not like a meet is going to mean anything to them, or really, to me. If they gave a class, whole different story. I saw Santana in the airport once. My wife pointed him out. My daughter was about 10 years old and into skateboarding. She had her board. My wife wanted to see if he'd give an autograph. I told her to leave him alone, but of course she didn't listen. Went up to him with my kid - he was gracious and signed her skateboard. My kid goes "Who is that guy?" I said Santana. Blank stare. I said he's Rob Thomas' guitar player. Oh wow how cool she said. A few months later the signature was gone from her grinding the board on various obstacles. Another time I played in a band that opened for Linda Ronstat. Most of the band members were so star struck they practically mobbed her backstage. I was embarassed for them. The woman was backstage fer crying out loud. Leave her alone. My first teacher introduced me to Sabicas after a concert. I instinctively extended my hand. He hesitated, then shook it. I realized he probably hated to shake hands-can't blame him, some cretin could have injured him. He also signed my program so at least that was positive. quote: ORIGINAL: BarkellWH quote: Now having said all that, yes I would pay $500 to hang out with Paco or Vicente.. But not thousands, it is just insane. I wouldn't pay $7,500 to have dinner with Di Meola and I wouldn't pay $500 just to rub shoulders for a couple of hours with Paco or Vicente. (Paying for lessons is another matter). I think people who pay to "hang out" with their idols are no better than "groupies" who get a thrill from proximity to fame. What they should realize is their idol will not give them a second thought when the dinner or "hang out" period is over. Their idol will go on to the next "groupie(s)" who are willing to help subsidize their idol's lifestyle, all the while thinking they have a "special" connection with their idol. Bill

BarkellWH -> RE: Dinner with Al Di Meola (Sep. 15 2021 22:08:01)
One of the more interesting and serendipitous encounters I have had was meeting and spending about an hour with the great Brazilian jazz and classical guitarist Carlos Barbosa-Lima. I was taking flamenco lessons with Paco de Malaga at his old guitar emporium The Guitar Gallery on Connecticut Avenue in Washington, DC. One day I entered the shop for my lesson, and Paco was sitting there with Carlos, who is his good friend. I did not recognize Carlos. (I remembered him from his vinyl album cover photographs in the '60s, but this encounter happened just a few years ago.) Paco introduced me to Carlos and mentioned my wife is from Brazil. We talked a little about guitar, but mainly we talked about Brazil and other topics, as Paco and his wife Ana lived in Brazil for several years. It was a very relaxed and enjoyable conversation. After about an hour, Carlos left. (If I recall correctly, I think he was the performer at one of the Marlowe Guitar performances that evening, named after Ricardo's father.) Paco and I then proceeded with my lesson. That is the kind of meeting with a famous person, musician or otherwise, I really enjoy. It occurs under natural circumstances and is unforced. Bill

Ricardo -> RE: Dinner with Al Di Meola (Sep. 16 2021 19:18:55)
Unlike nuñez these rock star guitar players are charging the rich crowd or fans, honestly that their reputations deserve. Paul Gilbert has a rock guitar fantasy camp thing that is also several thousand dollars. Yes you get “lessons” and jam, but it is of course over priced like VIP tickets 400% over normal price. As these guys start dying we see it will be all gone one day, so I’m thinking they have the right idea based on the direction music industry has taken. Their actual music is worth pennies so now they sell their physical presence to recoup. I for one would love to jam and chat with Al. I told the story years ago I saw World sinfonia piazzola stuff, it was great. But the audience was disrespectful shouting “play elegant gypsy!”. I gave Al some marimba guitar duets I had written (sheet music), and while talking to him about it this tall busty black woman pushed me aside and opened her blouse and forced Al to sign her breasts with a sharpie! [:D]. Al was embarrassed as hell. Anyway I finally finished the book by Rusel de Maria and three points stand out: 1. When paco met Al and saw how he played Mediterranean Sundance, he and rusel both freaked out. Paco was intimidated by his playing level and so scared he couldn’t recording anything good for two days straight. 2. They recorded Fantasia suite for two guitars in madrid but the engineer screwed up the punch in edits and ruined the recording so al had to re-record it himself (on Casino). 3. Paco and Mclaughlin would regularly gang up and make fun of Al and his serious nature, which deteriorated their relationship over time. Al admitted to rusel it really hurt his feelings and Paco said he needed to get over it as they were just joking with him. Rusel was also teased by pacos friends from Almeria… sounds like Paco grew up with this sort of bully/teasing sense of humor. I know people don’t like Al or his music, but think he is just very serious about what he does and experienced success a little too early in his life. I learned a lot about music from him, so I respect the guy a lot.

Richard Jernigan -> RE: Dinner with Al Di Meola (Sep. 17 2021 0:35:11)
quote: ORIGINAL: BarkellWH One of the more interesting and serendipitous encounters I have had was meeting and spending about an hour with the great Brazilian jazz and classical guitarist Carlos Barbosa-Lima. Bill Barbosa-Lima played Austin near the beginning of his concert career. He was very impressive. My next encounter with him was in Honolulu in 2001. I lived there July-December. Carlos gave a concert at a medium size auditorium downtown. The concert followed an unusual format. It featured both Carlos and the University of Hawaii Professor/Composer/Ukulele Virtuoso Byron Masui. In the first half Carlos and Byron alternated solos. Byron's ukulele playing astonished me. I didn't know anyone could play the instrument like that. The second half was guitar duets, with Byron playing guitar at a very high level. Some of the arrangements were by Carlos, some by Byron. Later I noticed other concert announcements where Carlos teamed up with a local player. Seated in the first couple of rows were a number of famous Hawaiian slack-key players, including Ray Kane, Keola Beamer and Cyril Pahinui. I had met Beamer a couple of times. At intermission he beckoned me over and introduced me to the others. After the concert I went with a group including the slack key players, Masui and Barbosa-Lima to the bar at the Ilikai Hotel, in the west end of Waikiki. It was a friendly and quiet gathering. All the pros seemed to be quite familiar with each others' works, speaking in detail about pieces they liked on others' recordings. Carlos knew the slack key players' stuff, and they spoke about Carlos' classical records. Beamer said he had heard me play some flamenco. Everyone there knew about Paco, and were in awe of his technique. Some of the older guys had Sabicas records. Nobody seemed to recognize Manolo Sanlucar, Serranito, Niño Ricardo.... At closing time I walked across the street to my condo, where I lived for six months while working on a government contract proposal. RNJ

chester -> RE: Dinner with Al Di Meola (Sep. 17 2021 21:50:40)
quote: Their actual music is worth pennies so now they sell their physical presence to recoup. AFAIK a musician's bread and butter has always been touring/playing shows ie "physical presence". Sure there was a time from the 50s - 90s where a very select few were able to live off of studio work, but that's been over for a while now with the advent of protools/autotune. quote: As these guys start dying we see it will be all gone one day Are you suggesting there are no more shredders? Coz my weekly "release radar" playlist would beg to differ.

zendalex -> RE: Dinner with Al Di Meola (Sep. 17 2021 22:24:14)
quote: 1. When paco met Al and saw how he played Mediterranean Sundance, he and rusel both freaked out. Paco was intimidated by his playing level and so scared he couldn’t recording anything good for two days straight. Quite a story. I would never think Paco could be intimidated by anybody's playing. Especially given they come from completely different backgrounds

Mark2 -> RE: Dinner with Al Di Meola (Sep. 17 2021 22:53:49)
I'd disagree. Artists toured to promote the record. Tours were often a loss subsidized by record companies. And it wasn't the royalty the musican really cashed in on. That was mostly taken by the record company, it was the publishing income. One hit song, one SOLID hit, and you were set for life. Ray Dorset wrote "In the Summertime" for the Mungo Jerry in the 70's. My dad's cousins owned Red Bus records in London and that was their band. Still raking it in 50 years later. If it was written today, it would have a zillion spotify plays and they'd get a fraction of what was earned. Instead it's played everyday all over the world on oldies radio, and they pay. But your right about the time frame-around 2000 it really started to go south. If your talking Elton John, then yes, a concert pays a ton. But one hit wonders, and other less than giant artists, as well as songwriters who wrote for recording artists, did quite well writing hits that paid them lots in publishing. Now, that is gone, and people think artists make a ton touring. Except for the Beyonce's I doubt it. When I was gigging a lot I worked with a local agent who also booked name acts at corporates. Not Beyonce level, but people who had at some point gotten airplay. They didn't command what you'd think. The exception was Bruce Hornsby who played solo for an hour at a corporate-I can't remember the number but it seemed large. Somewhere around 30k I think. But take a band on the road and expenses mount quickly. quote: ORIGINAL: chester quote: Their actual music is worth pennies so now they sell their physical presence to recoup. AFAIK a musician's bread and butter has always been touring/playing shows ie "physical presence". Sure there was a time from the 50s - 90s where a very select few were able to live off of studio work, but that's been over for a while now with the advent of protools/autotune. quote: As these guys start dying we see it will be all gone one day Are you suggesting there are no more shredders? Coz my weekly "release radar" playlist would beg to differ.

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