For me, music that tends to freeze time also tends to be sparse. “Icefire” has that, with the chiming arpeggios, artificial harmonics, and plenty of space. This track reminds me of what Pat did at the opening of “Phase Dance.” You May Also Like: Pat Metheny, May 16, 2019: ShowsRead More

A year after his auspicious debut, Pat Metheny returned to the ECM label with a lineup that’s very close to what would become the first incarnation of the Pat Metheny Group. You May Also Like: Why You Should Give Pat Metheny’s ‘Rejoicing’ Another Listen Pat Metheny, May 16, 2019: ShowsRead More

Bright Size Life concludes with Pat finally tipping his hand on his love for Ornette Coleman. You May Also Like: ‘Bright Size Life’ Gave Early Definition to Pat Metheny’s Incredible Career Why You Should Give Pat Metheny’s ‘Rejoicing’ Another Listen The Knack – ‘Round Trip’ (1981): Forgotten Series

Last week I said that Unquity Road came the closest to what we think of as a traditional jazz tune. With “Omaha Celebration,” we might as well conclude that this particular trio is just not going to approach “normal.” You May Also Like: ‘Bright Size Life’ Gave Early Definition toRead More

Here we almost have a traditional jazz tune with the head being played followed by the expected improvisations. But on “Unquity Road,” Pat and Jaco work in a kind of near-unison. You May Also Like: ‘Bright Size Life’ Gave Early Definition to Pat Metheny’s Incredible Career Pat Metheny, “Road toRead More

The key to “Midwestern Nights Dream” lies in the introspective introduction. In fact, its first two chords. They create a quiet, descending arc that when expanded upon gives a sense of falling. You May Also Like: ‘Bright Size Life’ Gave Early Definition to Pat Metheny’s Incredible Career Pat Metheny –Read More

So many years removed from this album’s release, and I am still stunned at tracks such as this. Metheny has a theme but the presentation is one long guitar solo. You May Also Like: ‘Bright Size Life’ Gave Early Definition to Pat Metheny’s Incredible Career Pat Metheny, “You Are” fromRead More

Here we have Pat’s solo guitar remembrance of weekend gigs at the Unity School of Christianity. The church was a part of the Metheny family history as both his dad and his brother had played in the church’s Unity Village Band. You May Also Like: ‘Bright Size Life’ Gave EarlyRead More

Only the 2nd tune in the Metheny catalog and we already have an example of Pat’s Midwestern sound. The chiming opening bars have that open, pastoral sound that Metheny has said is rooted in his Missouri upbringing. You May Also Like: Pat Metheny – ‘MoonDial’ (2024) ‘Bright Size Life’ GaveRead More

Welcome to the first entry of our new series (Cross the) Heartland, a song-by-song examination of the entire Pat Metheny catalog. It’s no secret that I’ve been a Metheny fan since my introduction to him You May Also Like: ‘Bright Size Life’ Gave Early Definition to Pat Metheny’s Incredible CareerRead More