I don't understand it, either. It's about as likely as a
Metheny/Metallica collaboration. along with being a seasoned Metheny
fan, I happen to be a big fan of James Brown, as well. However, that
doesn't mean that I'm hoping for a collaboration, nor am I going to
repeatedly post why I think it would work and offer stupid examples
of "proof" that I'm "haven't been wrong about this."

As far as the new album, I pretty much agree with you. I like it,
it's got some nice moments. However, it's very introspective and
moody, which is nice at certain times, but I just don't think that
it's Pat's best effort. He has an amazing talent for improvising,
which really isn't the focus of this disc.

IMO, this is what makes Pat a difficult sell to purists. Jazz fans
aren't likely to be interested in this record. Pat himself gets
pissed when people cite that they like to go to sleep to his music.
However, this one doesn't really make use of the dynamics and
exciting improvisation that tends to be what he is all about. It
seems as though a release like this is only going to further attract
the new-age crowd, which Pat has a vehement dislike for. I can
understand his interest in experimenting with this new guitar, and
composing some really personal, introspective tunes on it, but I
think he should think twice about what he releases, if he's concerned
about being pigeon-holed in a new-age/smooth jazz bag. Jazz fans have
a difficult time defending Metheny's place as a jazz legend as it is,
without having to explain why a staunch jazzer would be doing covers
of Gerry & The Pacemakers.

Not to say that the music isn't intriguing. I just see my copy going
on Ebay within 6 months to a year.

Now, Metheny's performance with Jobim on "How Insensitive" from the
Verve Records anniversary concert; that's some serious timeless
music.


--- In patmetheny@yahoogroups.com, "John" <soulfulnotes@n...> wrote:
> I don't get this Norah Jones/Pat Metheny fixation? Who gives a
shit? If it happens, it happens. If it doesn't, it doesn't. Why
waste so much time speculating about this? It's almost the only
thing this group talks about.
>
> And what about the new Metheny album? Any opinions? I heard a
couple of cuts, but it didn't really speak to me.
>
> John
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: michael_crutcher2002
> To: patmetheny@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Tuesday, July 08, 2003 10:45 PM
> Subject: [Pat Metheny] Re: Pat Metheny and Norah Jones:
VINDICATION
>
>
> --- In patmetheny@yahoogroups.com, "munchen008" <munchen008@y...>
> wrote:
> > It seems Pat Metheny has no problem collaberating with Norah
Jones.
> > On his latest album: "One Quiet Night", he does a cover
of "Don't
> > Know Why". I realize this is not quite collaberation, it
> definitely
> > proves my point. I still would like to hear her sing while he
does
> > the instrumental work. So far I haven't been wrong about this.
>
> Oh, is that so? Could you point us to the collaboration that
proves
> you right? Could you show me the quote from Pat Metheny that says
> he'd like to play back-up musician to a pop star? Maybe something
> from him that says "When I composed "First Circle" I wanted to
write
> something that had this 12/8 feel alternating with 10/8, with
> harmonies that extend quite a bit outside one tonality. Well,
> actually, what I really wanted to do was play pop music on the
top 40
> with a female pop star that's half my age and wouldn't stand a
chance
> of understanding my music."
>
> Pat Metheny is a *jazz musician*. Norah Jones is a *pop singer*.
At
> times, Pat likes to do something melodic and simple, but for the
> majority of what he does, he plays complex harmonies and
experiments
> with different textures and instrumentation. Norah Jones sings
nice
> melodies. Pat obviously decided to cover her tune because it's a
very
> strong melody and he likes it. Ever play the tune? Pat hasn't
played
> a tune with such simple changes, probably ever. Why is that?
Because
> he's a *jazz musician*. You may also notice that he
covered "Ferry
> Across The Mersey". Does that mean he should, or wants to,
> collaborate with Gerry & The Pacemakers?
>
> Let's put this in context: Pat has publicly declared that he
wouldn't
> do a project like the Joni Mitchell tour/recording ever again. He
> obviously has no desire to "back up" a pop singer. What is this
> obsession with putting him into an unfamiliar, uncomfortable
> situation?
>
> Herbie Hancock covered a Kurt Cobain tune, on his "New Standard"
> disc. Would you like to make a case that Herbie should have
> collaborated with Cobain? George Benson covered "California
> Dreaming", as did Wes Montgomery. Are you picturing them getting
> onstage with the Mamas & The Papas? Jimi Hendrix
> covered "Daytripper". Oh, yeah, Hendrix was certainly the 5th
Beatle,
> wasn't he?
>
> Hmmm, Pat's guitar sound was particularly heavy and distortion-
driven
> on "Half Life Of Absolution". Maybe he should think about
> collaborating with Metallica, no?
>
> Norah Jones sings and plays some beautiful tunes. However, she's
not
> on Pat Metheny's level. Deal with it.
>
> Vindication, my ass.
>
>
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