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

Probably the most rock-oriented track from Metheny’s early catalog (we’ll have to wait for Zero Tolerance For Silence or Imaginary Day to hear something like this again), “American Garage” definitely had me cranking up the volume. You May Also Like: Why Pat Metheny’s ‘New Chautauqua’ Still Provides an Important RefugeRead 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

For me, it all started here, so this short story bears repeating. I was hanging out with a cousin, doing the usual late 70s thing. That is, listening to music, playing backgammon, and wondering if we’d ever get laid. You May Also Like: Pat Metheny, May 16, 2019: Shows I’llRead 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

After all of these years (and all of these listening sessions) it’s hard not to think of “Aprilwind” as being merely the introduction to “April Joy.” You May Also Like: Why Pat Metheny’s ‘New Chautauqua’ Still Provides an Important Refuge Pat Metheny, May 16, 2019: Shows I’ll Never Forget

After an opening that manages to be sparse and yet unresolved, “Jaco” transitions into the first (only?) track on this album structured to feature rounds of solos in a more traditional jazz fashion. You May Also Like: ‘Bright Size Life’ Gave Early Definition to Pat Metheny’s Incredible Career Pat MethenyRead 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