One night back in the late 1970's, me and my cousin Andy were playing a game of backgammon (cripes, that really was a long time ago...I remember there was a Styx Grand Illusion poster on the wall and ...uh, anyway)... he had this album playing on his turntable. The record itself had a pretty interesting cover photo full of Airstream trailers. But more important, it contained a kind of music that I was totally unfamiliar with. For one thing, the bass was way more active than on my rock records. And then there was the cool piano (and other keyboards), things that at that time I would only tolerate on Steely Dan records. Most important of all: the guitar...gees, what the hell was that guy doing? Chiming, elongated tones...crazy (to me) twists of logic. This wasn't rock, but I was strangely attracted to it.
The record was American Garage by the Pat Metheny Group.
Now, many years later, I'm sitting here at my desk , late at night with everybody else gone to bed, giving a first listen to Pat's latest: One Quiet Night, a solo acoustic guitar record.
I've been a big fan of Pat Metheny ever since hearing that odd little record in my cousin's room. And over all of those years I've been rewarded with a huge variety of listening experiences:
- "modern" jazz (I will not use the fusion-word here 'cause it's just too loaded a subject): "Cross The Heartland" from American Garage
- abstract, free play : "Offramp" from Offramp, all of Song X,and The Sign Of 4
- Americana (of the midwest type) : As Falls Wichita, So Falls Wichita Falls, Beyond The Missouri Sky
- soundscapes: "Half Life of Absolution" from The Road To You and the title track from Imaginary Day
- Brazilian-flavored jazz: Still Life (Talking)
- straigh-ahead jazz: Question And Answer, Bright Size Life, Trio 99>00
- soundtracks: A Map Of The World,The Falcon And The Snowman
- ...and delicate, fingerstyle acoustic play: New Chautauqua
Long-time Metheny fans treasure their copies of New Chautauqua. While Pat has made several fantastic duet recordings (with jazz giants Charlie Haden and Jim Hall, just to name a couple), only New Chautauqua has the intimacy that a solo recording can produce. Most of us have been waiting (and hoping) for another set of solo guitar from Pat. That time has finally come.
Article comments
1 - Tom Johnson
I have been an on-and-off fan of Metheny's over the years, prefering his more straight-ahead albums to the airy, more divergent ones (it's simply personal taste) and wondered which vein this album would go in. Thanks to your review, I'll probably go pick up a copy soon . . .
2 - cephusj
I love Pat Metheny and feel hes very underrated in the industry (of course as are many others).
3 - Donna Hamilton
I had heard several scores from Pat Metheny at times, and until now, his music hadn't grabbed me. Then lately on my drives through the country-side I heard 'Chris' from the soundtrack recording of The Falcon and the Snowman being played. I finally woke up to his music. I was able to hear a sample of his new release and - it's so good. Plan on staying up late to hear his concert recordings this late Friday early Saturday morning.
4 - bill boyd
hi - this is my first posting and i have been a huge pat metheny fan and have all of music
and
i find that i am not as thrilled with his latest albums including this all alone with the guitar
i find i like the earlier material and find that there are many artists that i love - i love only the early years - not sure of what happens only that the early stuff feels fresher - more daring and more fun to listen to.
anyone else have this love them until they get old syndrome?
for me - i strongly prefer & collect:
early miles davis
(pre bitches brew)
early john coltrane
(pre multi drummers and pharoh sanders)
early ahmad jamal
early mc coy tyner
early bill evans
early sonny rollins
(pre bridge)
early stanley clarke
my favorite pat metheny in no order
off ramp
pat metheny group (1st album)
(i still remember where i was when i first heard it - i had to stop the car and go get it the next day)
still life talking
we live here
first circle
as falls wichita, so falls wichita falls
last train home
missouri sky (with charlie)
sorry to go on so long for a first posting
i like the idea of a community of folks dedicated to searching out new and exciting (personal and spontaneous definitions)
i enjoyed the tone of your comments
to be continued ...
bill boyd - ventura - california
5 - John
Metheney:
Decent...but as a jazz guitarist myself for 20+ years, he's not the 'icon' some portray him as.
His 'rock-star-pretty-boy' looks, and his
"underwater guitar sound", (as my ex-teacher put it) have got him quite far in this materialistic society, though.
But the simplistic, modal compositions...come on...enough already.
There are so many better Jazz guitarists that don't receive equal mention that it's really sad. (I mean literally scores! But let's start with one: Joe Diorio...check him out) And Scofield's 'signature sound' makes me puke!As does Mike Stern's!
I'd love to hear then without the 'cover up.'
But that's the Music Biz!
And that's why I'll always hate it!
But I'll always love the music!!!
6 - Mark Saleski
we can agree to disagree.
i think Joe Diorio is great too, and Joe Pass & Howard Roberts & James Blood Ulmer & Bruce Eisenbeil....
but you lost me with the 'pretty boy looks' comment. if you read any interviews with Metheny, he's a pretty serious guy and is fully devoted to the music. there's no pretention there.
and there's plenty more to what he's done than just modal compositions (you've just stopped listening).
plus, he really lit into Kenny G.
7 - ClubhouseCancer
Mark, I assume you are familar with Richard Thompson's "I Agree with Pat Metheny," a hilarious little ditty that's available free on his website.
I agree with Pat Metheny
Kenny's talents arte too teeny...
I like the folkier, Americana, Frisellier stuff of Metheny's (because I'm simple-minded), and I love solo meditative things (because I'm simple-minded) so I think I'll try this one. Thanks to Mark for bringing it to our attention.
8 - Mark Saleski
yep, that's a hilarious tune.
it's funny, you read about stuff like Metheny going off on the Kenny G/Armstrong thing and think that mostly if goes underneath most everybody's radar.
...and then you hear about the Richard Thompson thing.