I’ve admired and enjoyed the music of Pat Metheny for many years. His style is extraordinarily difficult to characterize. He can dazzle you with his blistering guitar solos that dwell simultaneously in the worlds of jazz, pop and classical. But he can also write and perform exquisitely beautiful ballads, such as this one entitled “Letter from Home.” It’s a short piece, only about two minutes, and it’s well worth your trouble. If you’ve never before heard Pat Metheny’s music, you’re in for a treat:
If you enjoyed that interlude, consider the following video as a change of pace. And how often do you hear a duet involving a guitar and a full set of drums?
Don't get me started with the Pat Metheny clips!! I can't watch just one!
Pat is one of the greatest musicians of my time, able to combine hard jazz and world music all the while infusing it with his melodic inventiveness and breathtaking improvisational virtuosity.
And don't neglect to mention the Lennon to his McCartney, Lyle Mays. Lyle and Pat are one of the great musical pairings of all time. To fully appreciate their genius you must experience the full force of the Pat Metheny Group.
It is in PMG that their multi-part, multi-layered compositional talents really come to fruition.
Try listening to three of my favorites…
Have You Heard
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApI-zA6suXE
Minuano
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6WLYYtXXvU
and Third Wind
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zF1VMAAmvIs
I told you not to get me started!!!!
Mike: Lyle Mays? Absolutely! By focusing on Pat's music, I didn't mean to sleight any of the incredible musicians who play with him. Unbelievable synergy between Metheny and Mays.
I just noticed that Pat Metheny has loads of free podcasts available at his site or at iTunes. http://www.patmetheny.com/media.cfm?categoryid=3 I'm going to have a listen . . .