80/81 concludes with Pat bringing it all together with acoustic guitars. For all of the different aspects of jazz (and “jazz folk”) on display on this record, there’s something about Metheny’s final song that really does feel like a true, integrated conclusion. Certainly all of these years of listening haveRead More
A definite 80/81 standout track, “Every Day (I Thank You)” features Michael Brecker at his most expressive. There are many interviews out there where Pat runs out of superlatives when talking about Brecker’s work on this song. It’s not hard to see why. You May Also Like: Pat Metheny, MayRead More
Sometimes, it’s all about Ornette. On the whole, 80/81 comfortably visits “out” material and more straight ahead jazz, with a healthy introduction to Pat’s idea of “folk jazz.” Some of the glue that holds all of this together is the influence of Ornette Coleman. You May Also Like: Why YouRead More
There are many reasons to look wistfully back at this ensemble, thinking of how great it would have been to see them perform live. That list is tops out with “Open.” You May Also Like: Pat Metheny, May 16, 2019: Shows I’ll Never Forget How ‘Wish’ Scuffed Up Joshua Redman’sRead More
Over the course of Pat Metheny’s long and erudite career, I’ve considered his non-Metheny Group side projects as mostly separate, with little or no musical/stylist overlap. You May Also Like: Pat Metheny, May 16, 2019: Shows I’ll Never Forget Pat Metheny, “You Are” from ‘From This Place’ (2019): One TrackRead More
There are points during nearly all concerts where the emotions and internal language of the music can take over to express something that’s out of the grasp of mere words. You May Also Like: Reevaluating Bruce Springsteen’s ‘The Wild, the Innocent and the E Street Shuffle’
Like a lot of young guys growing up in the 70s, I fell in love with the electric guitar. I didn’t get my first instrument until my late teens and really didn’t start playing in earnest until my early 20s. You May Also Like: Why You Should Give Pat Metheny’sRead More
A fairly traditional jazz ballad, “The Bat” tells its tale in a slightly unconventional way. You May Also Like: ‘Bright Size Life’ Gave Early Definition to Pat Metheny’s Incredible Career Pat Metheny, May 16, 2019: Shows I’ll Never Forget Pat Metheny – ‘MoonDial’ (2024)
Even though Bright Size Life contains a lot of elements of traditional jazz, it wasn’t until Metheny brought saxophones to the mix that it felt as though his version of the tradition was being presented. You May Also Like: How ‘Wish’ Scuffed Up Joshua Redman’s Initial Melodicism Pat Metheny, MayRead More
I have to admit that intellectually, I was not prepared for 80/81. I had not yet listened to enough jazz music. American Garage, First Circle, Kind of Blue and Weather Report’s 8:30 rounded out nearly my entire listening discography. It just wasn’t enough. And even when I finally took theRead More
