The legendary shred maestro—best known for his work as a solo artist and as a member of Return to Forever and other high-profile, hot-shot collabs—drops by to chat with Cory about his new epic full-length, Twentyfour. It features “sixteen brand-new compositions and they’re all very involved. I hope I don’t have to do this again.”
One of Di Meola’s biggest projects is, of course, the guitar trio he shared with John McLaughlin and Paco de Lucía and their thrilling 1981 record, Friday Night in San Francisco, which elevated the acoustic guitar ensemble to the level of high art. Di Meola shares the behind-the-scenes stories of that tour and the 2022 archival release from the next night’s concert, Saturday Night in San Francisco. He calls the ensemble’s dynamic a “real healthy competition” and explains, “I knew I was up against two guys who were relentless in their delivery of phenomenal ideas. When they finished a solo, it was like, ’Oh my god, what am I gonna come up with.”
No chat with Di Meola, who famously opened up his kitchen in the post-lockdown part of the pandemic, would be complete without a survey of Southern Italian food. Why is sfogliatelle the maestro’s favorite pastry, and where does he get his? If he’s on tour and there’s nowhere to eat but an Olive Garden, what’s his order? And much, much more.
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PG's Jason Shadrick is On Location in Milwaukee, WI, where he catches up with guitarist John McLaughlin. In this Rig Rundown video segment, McLaughlin talks to us about using his Godin Freeway and use of effects.
PG's Jason Shadrick is On Location in Milwaukee, WI, where he catches up with guitarist John McLaughlin. In this Rig Rundown video segment, McLaughlin talks to us about using his Godin Freeway because of its tone and MIDI capabilities which are a big part of McLaughlin's current touring setup. In addition, McLaughlin talks about his use of effects: Seymour Duncan Twin Tube Classic, MXR Carbon Copy Delay, and a MXR Stereo Chorus. Even a guitar pick can't be overlooked, during his 2010 tour McLaughlin was using a Dunlop Jazz 3 picks, but he would scrap down the pick to get a better grip and playability.