First posted on Mark Is Cranky:
After experiencing the first two minutes of Saturday evening's Pat Metheny Group concert, there can be no doubt that Boston-area fans just plain love the man. Pat walked out onto the stage (wearing what has become his trademark horizontally-striped shirt) and was greeted by a thunderous two-minute standing ovation. This was before a single note was played!
So, being the music, Metheny and writer nerd that I am, somehow I forgot to bring a danged pen with me for setlist jotting. Ah well, that's what the internet is for. Unfortunately, I couldn't find a Boston setlist, but did find one from Toronto that served as a quick memory enhancing device.
After the Boston crazies (count me in there) quieted down, Pat began the show with a short acoustic piece which is listed as "This Is Not America" in the Toronto (and other) setlist. I guess I haven't listened to the Falcon & The Snowman soundtrack in quite a while as I didn't recognize this bit of music. Toward the end of the piece the rest of the band walked in from the wings holding and playing various percussion instruments (from simple shakers to claves to the glockenspiel)...and the song morphs into the beginning of the latest Metheny Group record, The Way Up, which they proceeded to play in its entirety.
That's right, 68 nonstop minutes of incredibly beautiful and complex music. I found myself wondering just how they were able to remember all of this stuff. The audience was pretty much stunned at the composition's end. Pat introduced the band and then jokingly said "Well...goodnight!!!". Right, like we believed that.
The band then left the stage save drummer Antonia Sanchez who with Pat played a lightening quick duet version of "(Go) Get It" from Trio 99>00. It's quite obvious that Sanchez has become Metheny's ultimate drummer. I often speak of "musical telepathy" when describing performances, but even that concept doesn't do justice to what this pair can do live. This was just beyond. Not only were they finishing each others' musical thought, they might have even been starting them.
Article comments
1 - JR
They let you take pictures?
2 - Mark Saleski
naw, i swiped the pic fro the Metheny website.
interesting that you should ask though...maybe it's because people have all of these small digital devices now (including phones), but nobody at the venue complained about picture taking.
there were some people a few rows in front of me opening taking pictures with a digital camera.
3 - CeeTee
We got "Antonia" from Secret Story, not "Always & Forever", in NY on 4/1 -- otherwise sounds like the same show - thanks for the review!
4 - Mustapha
Hello,
I've been a long time fan of Pat Metheny, (since the late 1970's) and there's a particular song that is my favorite: "Are You Going With Me."
I'm aware of two versions of this song: "Offramp" album version and "Travels" live album version (which I really like!) Can you please let me know if there're other released versions of this song?
I was under the mistaken assumption that perhaps the group grew tired of this song and had "retired" it. Seems (from your review) they still perform it and this is god news to me.
I am a solo musician and do a fairly passable version of this particular song utilizing a Roland Fantom X7 keyboard and a Roland GR-20 guitar synth (utilizing a Fender Stratocaster guitar.) When I really feel "creative" I also utilize a second Yamaha PSR 740 keyboard and an Ovation Adamas (SMT) guitar.
I would eventually like to turn my rendition into a "surround-like" performance and with a dmx controller operating my current crop of robotic lights.
I would appreciate any information you could provide regarding this song title.
Thank you very much and by the way, a great review!
Mustapha
5 - Mark Saleski
sadly, i don't think there are any other versions of this song. i'm not certain, but there have been very few Metheny shows where they haven't playing "Are You Going With Me"....not including, of course, things like the Secret Story tour, the Trio, etc.
funny, i have a Roland GR-50...which i also play through a Strat (a Strat Plus, to be exact).