At first, you might think that New Chautauqua was going to fade out in a series of simple reveries. I would have been fine with that, because that set of ringing arpeggios have that kind of searching quality You May Also Like: Why Pat Metheny’s ‘New Chautauqua’ Still Provides anRead More
For many years, I longed for those early Pat Metheny concerts, when “Phase Dance” was always played. OK, I still do, but there have been a few instances where the song has popped up You May Also Like: Pat Metheny, May 16, 2019: Shows I’ll Never Forget Why You ShouldRead More
From the shades of Weather Report in its opening tumble of descending chords to the inspired solo passages to the explosive ending, “The Epic” brings to mind (in retrospect) some of Pat Metheny’s through-composed material such as The Way Up. You May Also Like: Pat Metheny, “You Are” from ‘FromRead More
Pat Metheny likes to say that the group has a hard time with song titles. They may be hashing out a new composition and the working title will be something like “New thing in E-flat” You May Also Like: Pat Metheny, “You Are” from ‘From This Place’ (2019): One TrackRead More
Danny Gottlieb tosses in a quick drum lick before the introductory chord sequence takes off. For just a few bars, there’s a chance that the non-stop energy of (Cross the) Heartland will be maintained. You May Also Like: Lyle Mays (1953-2020): An Appreciation Pat Metheny, “You Are” from ‘From ThisRead More
Despite my musing last week that maybe April Joy is a more appropriate closer for this album, there’s no denying the fact that “Lone Jack” finishes things off on a note of bursting energy. You May Also Like: Why You Should Give Pat Metheny’s ‘Rejoicing’ Another Listen Pat Metheny, MayRead More
For the first half of this track, the Pat Metheny group blurs the line between composition and improvisation, a trait I admire in any jazz group. You May Also Like: Pat Metheny, May 16, 2019: Shows I’ll Never Forget Why You Should Give Pat Metheny’s ‘Rejoicing’ Another Listen Why PatRead More
It isn’t often that an up and coming band is able to create a piece of music that singularly defines their mission. A musical manifesto, if you will. Rarer still, is when the passage of time supports the integrity of said gauntlet. You May Also Like: Pat Metheny, May 16,Read More
With this album, we have what many think of as the classic Pat Metheny Group sound.
It’s not a constant presence on this album, but as mentioned when we discussed the title track on Watercolors, what would become the sound of “The Group” begins to establish itself. You May Also Like: Pat Metheny, May 16, 2019: Shows I’ll Never Forget Pat Metheny, “You Are” from ‘FromRead More
