A greatest hits package can be a cause for celebration. All too often though, Best Of's are seen (right or wrong) as cynical attempts at squeezing that last bit of cash from the artistic stone.

Now, what to think about a Best Of series? A bold move to be sure. In this case I'm seeing the ECM :rarum series as a celebration of its artists. Just look at the level of artist involvement: they chose the material (which has been remastered), arranged the song order and provided the liner notes (yes...liner notes in an ECM release...it does seem a little odd). In this way ECM head Manfred Eicher has allowed his artists to have their say in presenting a picture of their ECM years.

Pat Metheny's relationship with ECM began around 1974 and extended through 1984. During that period Metheny recorded in several configurations including solo (New Chautauqua), jazz trio (Bright Size Life, Rejoicing), quartet (80/81), duo-plus-percussion (As Fall Wichita, So Falls Wichita Falls) and several flavors of "The Group". All are represented on :rarum IX: Selected Recordings.

I didn't plan on a track-by-track rundown here but the inclusion of Metheny's extensive liner notes has inspired me:

Bright Size Life - Title track from the amazing trio release featuring Bob Moses on drums and Jaco Pastorious on bass. One of the most unique jazz trios records ever made.

Phase Dance - From the first Pat Metheny Group record (known by long time fans as "The White Album"). Pat describes the early group sound as a search for the possibilities inherent in juxtapositions of acoustic and electric instruments.

New Chautauqua - Solo material from the heartland. Pat's great-great grandfather, Moses Metheny, was a member of a performing Chautauqua troupe during the late 1800's. Pat's grandfather, Harrison Metheny, compared Pat's constant touring schedule to that of his great-great grandfather's.

Airstream - From the first Metheny record I ever bought, American Garage. It's a transitional record of sorts. Pat claims they still play this tune live on occasion. I should be so lucky!

Every Day (I Thank You) - 80/81 was a jazz supergroup that lived up to the description: Charlie Haden (bass), Jack DeJohnette (drums) and Dewey Redman & Mike Brecker on tenor saxes.

"It's For You" - In 1980 Pat and Lyle Mays, along with percussionist/vocalist Nana Vasconcelos, recorded As Fall Wichita, So Falls Wichita Falls. Not easily categorized, that record has become something of a cult classic (among Metheny fans, that is). The mere hint of a note of this song in the live setting will provoke an audience eruption. The music is pensive and sweet, somehow reminding me of my late teen years (when everything still seemed possible). To that add this 'new memory': of Pat and Lyle unloading their own gear from a jet:

One funny thing about this session. The assigned location for this recording was in Oslo, Norway, which meant that we had to fly from Boston (where we were based at the time) to London, and then London to Oslo. When we arrived in London, there was a huge strike going on by the guys who move the bags from plane to plane at Heathrow. We had to make the connection - so somehow, Lyle and I found ourselves inside the cargo bin of the jet that brought us from Boston, getting all of our stuff out, then wheeling it all down the tarmac (an active runway) to the next terminal to get it on the SAS flight to Oslo. It was the only way that that recording was going to get made. We still laugh about that one.