I actually really like his acoustic playing, too. I actually like
some of the music on this disc quite a bit, in a way. I just don't
think it's worthy of a whole disc, and I think it's a bit pretentious
of the record company to put this type of stuff out. It seems like
they'll put out anything that Metheny does. Maybe the idea of putting
out some personal, introspective material is kind of interesting,
really giving a good look into Pat as a person and an artist,
although I think in reality, it's not artistically a good idea to
release stuff that is mainly Metheny experimenting with something so
new and unusual.

I suspect that the "disco" comment is in regards to the "We Live
Here" material. I liked the idea of what they did superimposing their
music over hip-hop rhythms. Very cool stuff, although they've come
out with more prolific compositions in the past.

I don't know. Upon reflection, it looks as though Pat and the Group
experiment with new concepts and new sounds constantly. This "moving
forward" attitude may be what many of us love about his music.
However, it also means that we're likely to hear some stuff that just
doesn't cut it, as well. I just think that the new disc and something
like "Zero Tolerance for Silence" could use a little more refining
before they're considered the masterpieces that we know Pat is
capable of.

On the other hand, what does everyone think of Lyle Mays' solo piano
disc? I think it's brilliant.


--- In patmetheny@yahoogroups.com, "John" <soulfulnotes@n...> wrote:
> One of the things that I have always admired about musicians like
Pat is that he is not afraid to go into non-purist territory. I
always really liked his accoustic playing. I know that it confuses a
lot of people. I once read where somebody referred to PMG music
as "disco."
>
> I really haven't given the new disk a fair listen yet. From what I
heard, I haven't really been jonesed enough to by it. I just sounded
like a lot of meandering. Maybe I'll see if they get it at the local
library.
>
> As far as Norah goes, I say she was lucky enough to get Bill
Frissell on her album.
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: michael_crutcher2002
> To: patmetheny@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Wednesday, July 09, 2003 1:49 PM
> Subject: [Pat Metheny] Re: Pat Metheny and Norah Jones:
VINDICATION
>
>
> 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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> >
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