from PM site:


(January 14, 2009)

The Pat Metheny Group has just returned from a triumphant 20 show run in Japan.
The Group performed a series of concerts as a quartet for the first time in
nearly 30 years. Says Pat “It was so much for all of us; we had such a great
time.”

The PMG in this formation was Pat Metheny on Guitars, Lyle Mays on acoustic
piano and keyboards, Steve Rodby on acoustic and electric basses and Antonio
Sanchez on drums.

The Group performed music from all different periods of the band’s history.
Pat added “I had a lot of fun putting together sets each night that included
stuff from as early as the original PMG “White Album” all the way up to
some of the more recent tunes like “Proof”. It was great to get right to the
core sound of the band and really go deep into that world. Lyle and Steve and I
have such a rapport having played so much together over the decades and it was
fantastic to re-establish all those long and deep connections in this more
intimate environment. And the playing relationship that Antonio and I have
developed having done scores of trio concerts over the past few seasons (with
Christian McBride) along with his years in the PMG figured into things in a big
way. I really felt we got to an interesting place along the way as a quartet
that was open ended and fresh. Each set was an adventure.”

“And we enjoyed the Japanese audience so much. The seriousness and intensity
that they brought to each performance was inspiring and rewarding. I can’t say
enough about how much we appreciate their support and enthusiasm for our thing
over the years”.

Among the tunes performed in Japan were; Phase Dance, Jaco, San Lorenzo, The
Road to You, To The End of the World, Better Days Ahead, Goodbye, When We Were
Free, Naked Moon, Have You Heard, Hermitage, Tell It All, Last Train Home, Are
You Going With Me, It’s Just Talk, Travels, Extradition and many others.