In a message dated 4/8/02 12:02:44 AM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: >Fred wrote: >> By the way, when you do get the album, I'd love to know if you can >>identify which specific tunes caught your ear. I have a secret hunch. > >I went to CDNow and played the snippets of each song on the new album and >I think the two I heard were "You" and "Afternoon."
That's exactly what I thought. And that incredible voice you hear is that of Richard Bona, an amazing musician from Cameroon. His primary instrument is bass; he played and recorded with, among others, Josef Zawinul, co-founder of Weather Report. But in the Pat Metheny Group he sings while Steve Rodby maintains the powerful bass base, as he has for 20 years. And just wait until you hear "Another Life" ... a Richard Bona chorale. You'll plotz. >Like any music that >is totally new and inventive, it is difficult to describe it, but then I always >do question what it is in such music that grabs my heart so immediately >and strongly. Vaguely, I felt that what I heard sounded a little like 22nd >Century Brazilian music - my favorite genre. That's right on the mark. I know you'll totally love Speaking Of Now, and then you must check out at least three more PMG albums, the ones that make a sort of "Brazilian" trilogy: First Circle, Still Life (Talking), and Letter >From Home. Speaking of Brazilian music, have you ever heard these albums: - Native Dancer - Wayne Shorter & Milton Nascimento (also with Herbie Hancock); Milton (1976) - Milton Nascimento (also with Wayne and Herbie); and Awa Yio - Ivan Lins. Three of my favorite albums anytime/anywhere. If you haven't, you absolutely must. >Speaking of Quincy - for some reason he has been on my mind for months >- I keep thinking Joni should collaborate with him. These thoughts have come >out of nowhere but are persistent. I wonder. The funny thing is, she's sort of already doing that. Vince Mendoza, although he certainly has his own voice, is doing what Quincy used to do for Sinatra and others: very hip, smart, modern, jazz-informed arrangements of popular songs. -Fred
