Tag: Paco de Lucia

Title: Al Di Meola, John Mclaughlin, Paco de Lucia – Passion, Grace & Fire (1983) [Japanese SACD 2001]
Genre: Jazz
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Paco de Lucía (1947–2014) was a Spanish flamenco guitarist, composer, and producer. He pioneered New Flamenco, gaining legitimacy for the genre in Spain. De Lucía was among the first flamenco guitarists to successfully blend classical and jazz styles. In 1982, he reunited with John McLaughlin and Al Di Meola for Passion, Grace and Fire. This acoustic guitar trio album followed their 1980 Friday Night in San Francisco. The album features intense, virtuosic playing with little respite. Often described as a guitar “battle,” it results in a three-way tie. Passion, Grace and Fire lives up to its fiery, elegant title.

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Title: Al Di Meola, John Mclaughlin, Paco de Lucia – Friday Night In San Francisco (1981) [Reissue 1999]
Genre: Jazz
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Friday Night in San Francisco is a mostly live acoustic album featuring guitarists Al Di Meola, Paco de Lucía, and John McLaughlin. This rare summit showcases the trio at the peak of their formidable skills. The album includes three duo and two trio performances, blending spontaneity and virtuosity. Di Meola and de Lucía open with a fiery medley of “Mediterranean Sundance” and “Rio Ancho.” Their interplay combines dazzling solos with percussive rhythm, showcasing their complementary styles. Di Meola and McLaughlin’s take on “Short Tales of the Black Forest” adds humor, with playful techniques and a Pink Panther quote. The trio’s sensitivity and dynamic range counter notions of them as mere technicians. The studio track “Guardian Angel,” composed by McLaughlin, features a haunting melody and standout solos. The album’s high-quality compositions and expressive performances highlight the guitarists’ musicality. Friday Night in San Francisco is a standout in the discographies of Di Meola, de Lucía, and McLaughlin.

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