Al DiMeola Review of "Winter Nights" @ iTunes By: David Dorkin uitarist Al Di Meola's latest effort is a collection of standards and cover songs that are related to the theme of wintertime. What may seem to be a curious concept works out rather successfully. The tunes are tastefully chosen and played while the instrumentation lends itself to very intimate versions that somehow avoid schmaltz. Guitarist / percussionist Hernan Romero, and particularly Roman Hyrnkiv on the Ukrainian stringed instrument, Bandura, complement Di Meola's playing and the result is not unlike that obtained by Di Meola's World Sinfonia group of the past several years. A highlight is the strong performance on Peter Gabriel's "Mercy Street". Di Meola continues his travels through the many musics of the world on this release. Recommended. © David Dorkin / Fuse Magazine Zima Carol Of The Bells Winterlude Duet No. 1 Greensleeves Mercy Street