Between the 1970s and 1980s, albums such as "Elegant Gypsy" and "Friday Night in San Francisco" earned him both critical and commercial success. From the beginning of his solo career, where records like "Land of the Midnight Sun", "Elegant Gypsy" and "Casino", were amongst the highest selling records of any instrumental artist at that time.
Born in an Italian family, then, while growing up in Jersey City, NJ, United States, young Di Meola divided his time between guitar lessons and hanging out at the local salsa clubs. Influenced greatly by jazz guitarist Larry Coryell, Di Meola enrolled at Berklee College of Music in Boston, where his marathon practice sessions are still the stuff of legends (Di Meola continues to be the technical master by which other guitarists are measured). "We had three guys in one space; one in one room, one in the bathroom and I got the closet". After a brief stint with keyboardist Barry Miles, Di Meola, at 19 was tapped by Chick Corea in 1974 for "Return to Forever".
His technique can be traced back to his debut with Chick Corea and "Return to Forever" in 1974. In 1980 he was integral to the "Super Guitar Trio" with Paco De Lucia and John McLaughlin. The record "Friday Night in San Francisco" became a landmark recording resulting in wide acclaim. The result of which, surpassing two million records in sales. They toured from 1980 through 1983 and reunited for a 3rd CD "Guitar Trio" in 1996 follow by a world tour. In early 1996, Al Di Meola formed a new trio with the likes of jean Luc Ponty, and Stanley Clarke (The Rite of Strings).
Di Meola assembled what he described as his "best group by fit in my career". Named the "Al Di Meola World Sinfonia 2000", it featured musicians from Argentina, Cuba and Israel.
Di Meola has recorded more than 20 albums (CD's) of his own, including a solo acoustic guitar record "Winter Nights".
Among some of the names in his illustrious career, with whom Di Meola has recorded, or played, with include the likes of Chick Corea, Luciano Pavarotti, Paco De Lucia, Paul Simon, Phil Collins, Santana, John McLaughlin, Larrv Coryell, Steve Winwood, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Jaco Pastorius, Les Paul, jean Luc Ponty, Steve Vai, Frank Zappa, Milton Naciemento, Egberto Gismonti, Jimmy Page, Tony Williams, Stanley Clarke, Stevie Wonder, Irakere and many more.
With numerous recordings, countless awards (including three gold albums), and six million-selling albums, Al Di Meola released "Infinite Desire" in 1998, "Winter Nights" at the end of 1999," World Sinfonia in 2000, The Grand Passion" in 2000, "Flesh on Flesh" in 2003.
In September 2006, his fifth Telarc release, Consequence of Chaos, featured guest appearances by pianist Chick Corea, drummer Steve Gadd, keyboardist Barry Miles, and bassist John Patitucci, among others.
Subsequent releases include:
2008 He and Carmen with Eszter Horgas
2010 One Night in Montreal (Jazz Hour)
2011 Pursuit of Radical Rhapsody (Telarc)
2013 All Your Life: A Tribute to the Beatles Recorded at Abbey Road Studios, London
2015 Elysium (In-Akustik)
2017 Morocco Fantasia (In-Akustik)
2018 Elegant Gypsy & More Live (Ear Music)
2018 Opus (Ear Music)
2020 Across the Universe (Ear Music)
I Can Tell
Al Di Meola Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You are the one and know I can be sure
When lies are real it hurts a little more
I could show you why I'll see right through your eyes
(I can tell)
(I can tell you now)
You are the one I know so very well
You can't fool me with all your stories told
I can show you why our love will still survive
(I can tell)
(I can tell you now)
You’ve got the magic that I need
(I can tell)
(I can tell you now)
You know our love will soon succeed
(I can tell)
(I can tell you now)
You’ve got that magic in your eyes
(I can tell)
(I can tell you now)
You know I will show you
I can tell
You are the one I know so very well
You can't fool me with all your stories told
I can show you why our love will still survive
(I can tell)
(I can tell you now)
You've got the magic that I need
(I can tell)
(I can tell you now)
You know our love will soon succeed
(I can tell)
(I can tell you now)
You've got that magic in your eyes
(I can tell)
(I can tell you now)
You know I will show you
(I can tell)
(I can tell you now)
You just wait and see
(I can tell)
(I can tell you now)
You've got the look I'll give the smile
(I can tell)
(I can tell you now)
It's in your eyes from a distant mile
(I can tell)
(I can tell you now)
The lyrics to Al Di Meola's "I Can Tell" are about a person who is able to see through someone else's lies and understand their true feelings. The singer knows that the person they are speaking to is the one for them and that they can trust them. However, the lies and stories that the other person tells them hurt just a little bit more because the singer can see right through them. Despite this, the singer knows that they can show the other person why their love will still survive and that they have the "magic" needed for their relationship to succeed.
Overall, the song is about the power of intuition and how it can guide us in our relationships. The singer has a deep understanding of the person they are talking to and is able to see their true self even when they are trying to hide it. The song is a celebration of this kind of intuition and the importance of trust in any relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
I can tell
I am confident in my intuition
You are the one and know I can be sure
I trust that you are the right person for me
When lies are real it hurts a little more
Deceit causes additional emotional pain
I could show you why I'll see right through your eyes
I can demonstrate my ability to see beyond surface level
You've got the magic that I need
You possess qualities that I desire
You know our love will soon succeed
You are confident in our relationship's future success
You've got that magic in your eyes
Your eyes possess captivating qualities
You know I will show you
I am determined to prove my understanding and loyalty to you
You just wait and see
You can expect a positive outcome
You've got the look I'll give the smile
Your demeanor and expression are contagious
It's in your eyes from a distant mile
Your charismatic nature is apparent even from afar
Contributed by Jasmine R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.