***** Land of the Midnight Sun by Al di Meola- Definitely Add This Hard Jazz Rocker to Your Collection

When I got Land of the Midnight Sun, the main thing I wanted to know was whether or not it was on par with Al di Meola’s other classic albums I own, particularly, Hotel Splendido, Elegant Gypsy and Casino.  I was not in the slightest way disappointed.  Land of the Midnight Sun is as great as these three primary records that are recommended for purchase, especially if you are interested in jazz guitar.  In fact, the style is not really distinguishable from the other three, as all four of these album make one think of blazing fast Spanish jazz rock fusion.

I’ll go so far as saying that Land of the Midnight Sun is more solid straight through, but lacks a majorly outstanding track or two - think Race with the Devil on a Spanish Highway -, which is why I think this album failed to get heavy entries in the “This Is  Jazz,” series of sampling of great songs from the most important jazz musicians.

In fact, based upon the tracks from this one that are in the “This Is Jazz” collection, it would appear that they don’t represent the totality of Land of the Midnight Sun to the point of deception.  This album by itself is better than the This Is Jazz compilation entry for Al di Meola.  However, there are no weak tracks on Land of the Midnight Sun.  So, I would urge the potential buyer.  Don’t buy something from the This Is Jazz collection, but pick up one of the big 4, such as Land of the Midnight Sun.  I guarantee you that you will not be disappointed by going this way.

Perhaps, the greatest reason I give this album praise, is that I think it’s Al di Meola’s hardest rocker, but I can’t honestly say I know that yet, especially since I haven’t heard all of his albums, which are many.

Perhaps, the thing I like most about Al di Meola is that practically anyone is going to enjoy much of his work.  I’ll call Casino, Elegant Gypsy, Hotel Splendido, and Land of the Midnight Sun the big 4, especially if you want to rock out and have a martini, and use this as background music.  I, myself, am feeling like having a tequila sunrise about now and head to the beach, and scope some full bodied Spanish women out!  It hasn’t gotten to cold just yet!

*** Tour de Force by Al di Meola– Reworked/Remixed Classics With Clapping in the Background

Tour de Force should be thought of as secondary to the major Al di Meola albums.  Really, this album seems to be more for an Al di Meola buff, rather than someone who wants to collect great music.  So, what’s the problem?  The problem is that this is not new material.  It is reworked material with clapping in the background.  It doesn’t add much, and frankly, clapping is boring to listen to.  Clapping might as well be random static.  Really, only in rare cases am I a big fan of clapping.  For example, I really like the way the crowd is mixed in on Iron Maiden’s live album, A Real Live, so it not that I can say that I simply detest all live albums.

The other fact is, since these are some of Meola’s best songs, I had already heard them many, many times by the time I picked up Tour de Force.  Really, Meola’s catalog is more dense than he would have you think when listening to Tour de Force.  However, Tour de Force is a great way to get sick of the same old same old goodies, rather than unearthing some of his real treasures, such as the openers to Land of the Midnight Sun.

*** Chasing Time by Fates Warning – Don’t Like The First Few Tracks? That’s okay! Listen on.

Fates Warning has been ruminating around for decades as a lesser progressive rock/metal band.  In that sense, that are much like King’s X.  Today that means they could open for an arena rock bank, but that they probably aren’t popular to tour enough by themselves, especially not arenas. 

Chasing Time doesn’t really get moving until track 4.  Many of their riffs are atonal, and do not mix well with the vocals.  Frankly, sometimes  it sounds to me like their guitarist had no material ready for the album so he just steps on the distortion pedal and precedes to first thing that comes to mind, rather than crafting a song.  Later in their career, however, that changed.