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This site is dedicated to the memory of Paco de Lucía, Ron Mitchell, Guy Williams, Linda Elvira, Philip John Lee, Craig Eros, Ben Woods, David Serva and Tom Blackshear who went ahead of us.
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If you don't like something, you simply don't like it, it often times does not mean you are stupid or ignorant. It just means you don't like it.
Nobody said anybody was stupid for not liking something. In most cases however, learning about something at a deeper level OFTEN affects tastes...that is the whole point of "acquired taste". In some rare cases deeper investigation have the opposite effect but normally more knowledge=more appreciation=more "liking" of the thing, in my experience anyway as both student and teacher.
Further, there is a distinction to simply not liking something and calling it "crap, abomination, patent dud...brings nothing to the table or precisely nada" etc... Taking it one step further saying it's "outlandish" if it gives satisfaction to someone else is taking things a little out of the "I am allowed to not like something" zone.
In most cases however, learning about something at a deeper level OFTEN affects tastes...that is the whole point of "acquired taste".
I agree on this. It took me a long time to appreciate Shostakovitch more introvert music, and now I really like it. But at the same time, there are things that I just dont learn to appreciate. The Al/paco/Mcloughlin trio doesnt do the thing for me and I heard it since it was new and on vinyl. Same goes with the majority of solo flamenco guitar stuff. Its just empty for me. It doesnt touch me. And I´ve really tried......
Hello. I question the details of the Paco/Al fight. Although some of it may be true there is one specific detail that I gained directly from Carlos Santana who claimed to have been there when the "punch" went down. I was fortunate to be on a flight with Carlos years ago and we chatted extensively. After the flight was had a cigarette together and he told me the story. Yes..there was building tensions between Paco and Al and it came to a head at one of the trio shows. Al was being a pain over several issues, some being about technique, guitar selection and tuning. During the discussion Al made a comment "Well...anyone who can't read music is ignorant anyway." That made Paco push Al and Al came back after him. Paco nailed him in the mouth knocking him to the floor. Then...Paco proceeded to the stage where he then rearranged the chairs moving Al's chair away from the other two. The tour continued without further discussion of the situation and at the time of Carlos telling me this story (which was probably around 2006 or so) He was not aware of them making up.
I spent 15 years +/- playing with a pick and it just doesn't do it for me anymore. Even guys that I used to think are amazing I listened to now and there's a little part of my brain that saying "yeah.......but it's with a pick." I dunno, used to love ADL but lately I'm just not feeling it.......much respect but the magic is gone for me......
I feel exactly the same way. When I was in college I worshiped Al and went to one of his concerts and was blown away. Now when I listen to that old stuff it sounds so fake with the pick and Ovation guitar. The notes have no character and are blurred together. Still he is one the greatest ever guitar players, just don't enjoy listening to it anymore. I would put Jeff Beck above Al actually in terms something old I would want to listen to.
though I don't get inspired to play LIKE Al anymore like I did at the end of high school, I am still inspired by 3 of his mid period albums that I think are great music. Kiss my Axe, World Sinfonia, and Heart of the Immagrants. Also I think his instructional video is quite informative even if you don't like his style or use a different technique. He has a totally different take on improvisation than Mclaughlin (another great instructional video).
Al bashing generally has been in vogue by the community.
Per Ricardo, however, the Kiss My Axe-World Sinfonia-Heart of the Immigrants period produced some amazing music (much of it Piazolla-inspired). His Consequence of Chaos (2006) also offers some amazing contemporary instrumental music that rewards with repeated listenings, IMHO.
Al recently recorded an homage to Beatles music, but has a new "electric" CD in the works that should be amazing.
No, Purchase from Abstract logix, DVD, CD, or vinyl.
I went to abstract logic but found only music played by three of them. couldnt find paco and john concert. can you give me link to paco and john concert Ricardo please ?
Of course a similar repertoire is presented, and arguably better filming in the YouTube version, but DVD is higher quality picture and sound. Frevo is executed very differently tempo wise, and Caña de Azucar is switched for Guardian Angels and Sichia (double encore). John’s solo on the DVD is way more interesting as well. Paco’s solo is essentially the same.