The Canyon Club in Agoura Hills has finally re-opened after the draconian lockdown, and it has made up for lost time with a blockbuster list of acts the past few weeks, including Buddy Guy, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Taj Mahal. Rounding out this fortnight of guitar heaven was Al Di Meola, who came armed with his pair of acoustic guitars and teamed with the lithe rhythmic support of tabla player Anit Kavthekar and percussionist Richie Morales. The result was a spotlight on the underappreciated side of the renowned six stringer, who, while not “plugged in” per se, was still electrifying.
Like a master chef, Di Meola mixed and added instrumental flavors, going from trio to various duos and solo throughout the 2+ hour evening. Kavthekar and Morales provided a flavorful and exotic cadence to Di Meola’s ebullient Iberian pieces such as “Immeasurable 2” while creating a wondrous folk mood during an alluring read of The Beatles’ “Norwegian Wood” and “Strawberry Fields”. The interplay between the three was like taking part in a Saharan caravan as the strings rode over the seductive pulses.
In solo format, Di Meola was a maestro on his reflections of the pandemic with tender pickings on “Tears” and the introspective “Immeasureable 1” from his upcoming album. After creating an Andalusean atmosphere with “Fandango”, Di Meola spun yarns about his first gig with Chick Corea (at Carnegie Hall, no less!) before gliding into a Mediterranean feast of the Return To Forever classic “Senor Mouse”.
Reminiscing about his classic three-guitar album with John McCLaughlin and Paco De Lucia, Di Meola performed a wondrous rhapsodic “Café’” before Kavthekar and Morales gentle segued in to create the glorious three way conversation to complete the opus. Morales then got his place in the sun, spotlighted on “If You Need Me” and “Etcetera” before the band rolled up the evening with a sparkling “Mediterranean Sundance”
“Yeah, most people like Di Meola because of his high powered electric stuff” said “Steve” and “Rick” , the title insurance and solar power guys who sat next to me. “But those in the know understand that it’s the acoustic side that is the real deal”. Tonight the crowd took in Di Meola at his passionate best.
Upcoming events at The Canyon Club include John Mayall 03/25, Foghat 04/03 and Wishbone Ash 05/07