One Thing I Learned from Al Di Meola

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  • čas přidán 3. 05. 2024
  • Through a truly extraordinary set of circumstances I once found myself hanging out with legendary jazz fusion flamenco guitarist Al Di Meola in studio 3 at Abbey Road - hanging out with an 1830s Martin Stauffer guitar. I know right? Massively unlikely but it did happen.
    It was a real “record scratch - I bet you're wondering how I ended up here” moment. A day that I look back on as a massive source of inspiration and generosity and kind of a cool story so I have decided to share it with this video.
    Many thanks to Al Di Meola, Chris Bolster and Hernan Romero.
    Until next time, stay tuned
    Michael

Komentáře • 48

  • @andrewvenezie995
    @andrewvenezie995 Před měsícem +3

    Recently enjoyed Al and his buddies here in Pittsburgh. I first met Al in NYC when working at WRVR 1977-1981. Super nice and caring. Al understands what it is to be a fan! Hersch Thank you for an amazing story.

  • @dalgguitars
    @dalgguitars Před měsícem +2

    I totally want to see and hear that ancient Martin!!!! Your friend was very generous to let you take it out into the world.

    • @MichaelWatts
      @MichaelWatts  Před měsícem +1

      Ah I wish I’d managed to capture some footage…

  • @IvayloNikolov
    @IvayloNikolov Před měsícem +3

    I would probably have felt the same way if I had been present in the studio during the "Vetiver" recording. And this brings me to the most important question of 2024 - when are we going to enjoy your new album (and all tablatures) 🙂😂😅

  • @stickman55100
    @stickman55100 Před měsícem +2

    What a fabulous and cool story. An incredible experience for you that you’ve now shared and inspired an entire community. I’m totally grateful for this. Thank you.

    • @MichaelWatts
      @MichaelWatts  Před měsícem

      Thank you so much! That means a lot to me

  • @Geotubest
    @Geotubest Před měsícem +2

    I LOVE Al. I've been following him on FB for years. He and I have exchanged a few messages. His health scare some months ago scared the daylights out of me. We need him. Great video Michael as always!

    • @MichaelWatts
      @MichaelWatts  Před měsícem +2

      Absolutely! I am so glad Al is back fighting fit. Just an incredible dude.

  • @jamesturtle
    @jamesturtle Před měsícem +2

    Wonderful story! I'm glad Al is healthy and feeling good enough to tour again. Congrats on 10k Michael!

  • @douglasnelson3569
    @douglasnelson3569 Před měsícem +2

    A humble, but incredibly talented man, sharing a yarn about an incredibly talented but humble man...
    It's content like this that keeps me coming back - thank you Micheal!
    A great weekend to all folks! :)

    • @MichaelWatts
      @MichaelWatts  Před měsícem

      I appreciate that, thank you very much

  • @philipwilkes2780
    @philipwilkes2780 Před měsícem +3

    As always, a very interesting watch. Thank you.

  • @crystalgaynor4729
    @crystalgaynor4729 Před měsícem +3

    “It is HARD WORK, FOCUS & RESILIENCE, that makes us better musicians”! It’s reassuring to know that whatever level we’re at on our guitar journey, that this 3 Step Rule still applies. Great story, thank you for sharing! Al Di Meola, one of Jersey’s finest!!! 🎶🌸

    • @MichaelWatts
      @MichaelWatts  Před měsícem +2

      Absolutely! Thanks for watching Crystal!

  • @hkguitar1984
    @hkguitar1984 Před měsícem +3

    Thank You so very much for sharing this amazing story.
    Awesome

    • @MichaelWatts
      @MichaelWatts  Před měsícem +1

      Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for watching!

  • @jez6345789
    @jez6345789 Před měsícem +1

    An Interesting story thanks I had not heard his version and yes it's impressive and he managed to mould it nicely into his style lots of Al's fave note choices slipped into the flourishes etc,

    • @MichaelWatts
      @MichaelWatts  Před měsícem +1

      Glad you enjoyed it Jez! I think that whole record is very beautiful

  • @DavidRees43
    @DavidRees43 Před měsícem +1

    magnificent 😎

  • @neilyoung5029
    @neilyoung5029 Před měsícem +1

    Great to see you today mate….I’ll give you a call when your boots are back

  • @ellenrik
    @ellenrik Před měsícem +1

    What a great story and what a fabulous guitar to take with you, a real museum piece. Thank you for sharing. All the best.

    • @MichaelWatts
      @MichaelWatts  Před měsícem

      Glad you enjoyed it, thank you so much for watching!

  • @BluesSky
    @BluesSky Před měsícem +1

    Al is prickly, saw it myself at an RTF show when he lost it on a stage hand in the middle of the show.
    I understand the frustration of the perfectionist though and it was only a mild distraction from an incredible night of music.

    • @MichaelWatts
      @MichaelWatts  Před měsícem +2

      Well, everyone reacts things like that differently. I was treated and the utmost respect and generosity

  • @roscoe2311
    @roscoe2311 Před měsícem +1

    Congrats on 10k Michael! And thank you for all your videos!

    • @MichaelWatts
      @MichaelWatts  Před měsícem

      Glad you like them! Thank you for your support!

  • @victorbeebe8372
    @victorbeebe8372 Před měsícem +1

    Mahalo!

  • @PhilTaylorGuitar
    @PhilTaylorGuitar Před měsícem +1

    Good work Michael. Enjoyed it 👍

  • @simonhunt8896
    @simonhunt8896 Před měsícem +1

    Really enjoyed you recounting the meeting. Al di Miola is a giant in my opinion. Excuse my ignorance, but what piece was Hernan Romero playing? It was beautiful.

    • @MichaelWatts
      @MichaelWatts  Před měsícem +1

      Thank you for watching Simon! I’ll ask Hernan what he was playing

  • @JimB802
    @JimB802 Před měsícem +1

    What a great story to tell your kids! Al Di Meola is one of my guitar heroes from way back. Thank you for sharing. What is the name of the alblum that he was cutting?

    • @JimB802
      @JimB802 Před měsícem +1

      Never mind I found the album. Thank you Ms. Goggle, "All Your Life (A Tribute To The Beatles Recorded At Abbey Road Studios, London.

    • @MichaelWatts
      @MichaelWatts  Před měsícem +2

      All your life is the acoustic album - the later electric record is called Across the Universe - both excellent albums

  • @BrianTruesby
    @BrianTruesby Před měsícem +1

    This was so elegantly expressed! Thank you MDW!!

  • @calebbhawkins
    @calebbhawkins Před měsícem +1

    Nylon string guitar is what I call a humbling instrument. While they might fret a little lighter than steel they are far harder to get to sound good and each note is more sensitive to touch I feel like. Combine playing hard material and you’re going to work way harder than some guy ripping on a D28

    • @MichaelWatts
      @MichaelWatts  Před měsícem +1

      That is true - I’m grateful to have started playing on nylon string

    • @calebbhawkins
      @calebbhawkins Před měsícem

      @@MichaelWatts I started there too. I still like having a nylon string guitar on hand to help me stay humble. But it’s far easier to play steel for what I do.

  • @leoosiku
    @leoosiku Před měsícem

    Hopefully he told you to listen to Coryell.

  • @japanesemaplepruning
    @japanesemaplepruning Před měsícem +1

    Al is great, one of my favorites but he’s not a flamenco guitarist.

    • @MichaelWatts
      @MichaelWatts  Před měsícem +1

      Well yeah but he has played flamenco inspired music alongside Paco so I think that’s close enough.