Saw Pat and band last night at the Paramount Theater in Austin, Texas. A passionate, masterful performance, even by Pat Metheny standards. Played several cuts from Side-Eye III, but also hit some older material (“Phase Dance”). Thanks for sharing the review. Well done.
Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of Pat's from the 70s. That said, when you have as many releases as he has, it's hard not to sound derivative at times. This is a solid effort but not up to recent efforts such as From This Place-a true masterpiece, IMO. Thanks as always, Marc!
I know from George Benson that he sold his Grant Green Gibson to Pat a few years ago. George also sold his Wes Montgomery Gibson to Lee Ritenour. They could not have ended up in better hands. George parted with his massive guitar collection, including the Les Paul he used on “Breezin’”, a couple of years ago. Ironically, George found the amplifier he used on “Breezin’” during Covid in 2020, when he had the time to go through a storage locker he had maintained for 30 years. He thought it had been lost forever. He claims it is the best amp he ever used, and he has had it restored. He also found the master tape of the recording he did with Robert Farnon in England, in 1989, and released it on Warner Brothers records, coming full circle.
This is good! And a welcome continuation of the Pat Metheny ouvre.
Even twenty years after Lyle Mays moved on from The Pat Metheny Group, I think I still hear Mays' voice/influence in Metheny's works, including in "Side-Eye III".
Marc, regarding "Side-Eye III" you mention that "The musicianship is exceptional at all levels, but what’s truly special is how Pat brings them all together and unites them on individual tracks and more broadly as an album".
I've always felt that this was especially notable in the 1981 "As Falls Witchita, So Falls Witchita Falls", a Metheny album that is very tightly united from beginning to end.
Saw Pat and band last night at the Paramount Theater in Austin, Texas. A passionate, masterful performance, even by Pat Metheny standards. Played several cuts from Side-Eye III, but also hit some older material (“Phase Dance”). Thanks for sharing the review. Well done.
Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of Pat's from the 70s. That said, when you have as many releases as he has, it's hard not to sound derivative at times. This is a solid effort but not up to recent efforts such as From This Place-a true masterpiece, IMO. Thanks as always, Marc!
I know from George Benson that he sold his Grant Green Gibson to Pat a few years ago. George also sold his Wes Montgomery Gibson to Lee Ritenour. They could not have ended up in better hands. George parted with his massive guitar collection, including the Les Paul he used on “Breezin’”, a couple of years ago. Ironically, George found the amplifier he used on “Breezin’” during Covid in 2020, when he had the time to go through a storage locker he had maintained for 30 years. He thought it had been lost forever. He claims it is the best amp he ever used, and he has had it restored. He also found the master tape of the recording he did with Robert Farnon in England, in 1989, and released it on Warner Brothers records, coming full circle.
This is good! And a welcome continuation of the Pat Metheny ouvre.
Even twenty years after Lyle Mays moved on from The Pat Metheny Group, I think I still hear Mays' voice/influence in Metheny's works, including in "Side-Eye III".
Marc, regarding "Side-Eye III" you mention that "The musicianship is exceptional at all levels, but what’s truly special is how Pat brings them all together and unites them on individual tracks and more broadly as an album".
I've always felt that this was especially notable in the 1981 "As Falls Witchita, So Falls Witchita Falls", a Metheny album that is very tightly united from beginning to end.
Completely agree, Paul. Glad you enjoyed!
It's a great one
Thanks, Marc!