Boston Jim wrote:
"You may want to pick up some later albums by the Pat Metheny Group,
beginning with the double live "Travels." Proceed chronologically through
"First Circle," "Still Life (Talking)," "Letter From Home," and "The Road
To
You." Metheny's abilities (and his artistic vision) grew at a dizzying rate
through the '80s. He continued to record outside the Group during these
years, and still does, playing great jazz with some of the music's
brightest
lights ... but it's in those five Group albums I believe you'll find the
way
to "get" Pat."
Metheny's career has always grown @ a dizzying rate. When he was only 16
he played w/Herbie Hancock. At the age of 19, he joined the Gary Burton
group. Burton is one of the best vibraphonists in the world- IMHO. (The
same year, Metheny played w/Paul Bley)
The Burton collaboration is the longest that Metheny has played in
another's band. The work is sublime. From "Ring" the first he played on,
"Dreams So Real" in '75, "Passengers" in '76- all just brilliant.
For me, Metheny's first solo releases are the best introduction to his
talent, rather than the later ones. "Bright Size Life" from '75 w/Jaco
Pastorius and Bob Moses is his first solo release. Followed by
"Watercolors" in '77. "New Chattaugua" was released in '78, the same year
as the first Pat Metheny Group.
For me, Metheny is at his best here. Acoustic, alone, recorded in one
session. It is a "must-listen"!
I do have almost all of his releases- some are clearly not as accessible as
others. And he continues to amaze. But Lama, check out some of the above,
and I think you will "get it"
Regards,
Stephen in Vancouver
NP: Laura Nyro- New York Tendaberry
