Three of the world’s best guitarists on one fantastic live album from 1981 – that’s ‘Friday Night in San Francisco’. In three duets and two trios Al di Meola, Paco de Lucía and John Mclaughlin show the full range of their skills, recorded on December 5, 1980 at ‘The Warfield Theatre’, San Francisco. In a wonderful show, the exceptional guitarists goad each other to top performances, playing inhuman chops and driving flamenco-style rhythms that leave the listener in awe.
In the real recording, the three guitarists actually sat next to each other, but miking using individual microphones and additional room microphones allowed Bernie Grundman to create an extremely wide stage set even on the original LP. Scene applause and frenetic cheering from the audience – hitherto unusual phenomena at acoustic concerts – were also captured on the recording and contribute to a great listening experience. The LP is a classic among live acoustic guitar albums and formative for the genre, the recording is an audiophile ‘must have’!
The master tape was reworked by editing legend Bernie Grundman, the very same engineer who was responsible for the original.
Side 1
1. Mediterranean Sundance/Rio Ancho
2. Short Tales of the Black Forest
Side 2
3. Frevo Rasgado
4. Fantasia Suite
5. Guardian Angel
