Pat Metheny

Crossroads Guitar Festival

A guitar concert featuring Eric Clapton.
Genre: Music Video: Concerts
Rating: NR
Release Date: 9-NOV-2004
Media Type: DVD

Although it could have been twice as long, this double-DVD set effectively captures over three hours of highlights from one of the most comprehensive and diverse collection of guitarists ever assembled for a single event. Recorded over three days in June of 2004 to benefit Eric Clapton's Crossroads Center in Antigua (as do the sales of this set), the show is not surprisingly heavy on the rootsy blues and country that comprise Clapton's primary inspirations. But it also includes folk (James Taylor), gospel (Robert Randolph & the Family Band), fret-shredding rockers (Steve Vai who delivers a dazzling performance), jazz (John McLaughlin), and, most interestingly, Indian classical music (a stunning piece from Vishwa Mohan Bhatt).

Most compelling are the rare and sometimes unusual collaborations. Joe Walsh and Taylor clown around on "Steamroller Blues," and Booker T. & the M.G.'s back both Joe Walsh on a rollicking "Rocky Mountain Way" and Los Lobos' David Hidalgo tearing into a sizzling "The Neighborhood." Clapton and J.J. Cale share the stage as do Clapton and Carlos Santana, and a show-stopping blues summit with Robert Cray, Jimmie Vaughan, Hubert Sumlin, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, and Clapton is a treat for all involved.

There are some shortcomings. The event isn't presented in chronological order--different stages, days, and backing bands are shuffled with Clapton's own set scattered throughout--ZZ Top's closing is a bit anticlimactic, and there are many omissions due to time constraints. But every act rises to the occasion, and this expertly recorded and shot DVD gives the viewer a front-row seat to a once-in-a-lifetime experience. --Hal Horowitz

Pat Metheny Group: The Way Up - Live [Blu-ray]

This new DVD filmed in late 2005 features the full concert version of Metheny's most recent album "The Way Up." Included are 4 tracks interview with Metheny and band biographies.System Requirements:Running Time: 91 minsFormat: BLU-RAY DISC Genre: MUSIC DVD/CONCERTS Rating: NR UPC: 801213330195 Manufacturer No: 33301-9

Pat Metheny fans know by now what to expect from a recorded performance by the guitarist and his group, and it's all here on The Way Up - Live: superb, versatile musicianship, mixing virtuoso soloing with telepathic ensemble interplay and sustained moments of majestic passion and intensity; intricate rhythms and time signatures; sweeping textures punctuated by some memorable melodic passages; and, from a purely technical standpoint, superior sound and visuals. Yet The Way Up is a bit different, and a good deal more challenging. First heard on the group's 2005 CD of the same name (this performance was recorded in Seoul, South Korea), it's a long, ambitious piece of music consisting of four lengthy parts, all played without pause. For a live audience, it's more like taking in a classical music concert than a jazz or rock show; there are melodies and grooves, but no tunes, per se, as the piece mostly lacks the song-like appeal of much of the Metheny Group's best known work. Composed by Metheny and Lyle Mays, his longtime partner and keyboardist, the music constantly evolves over the course of its 70 minutes (Metheny himself changes guitars like Cher switches costumes), to the point where you might not actually recall much of it when it's over. But you'll certainly remember the experience of watching and listen to these seven brilliant musicians at work; and like the Seoul audience, you will be wowed. An interview with Metheny is the sole bonus feature. --Sam Graham

Joni Mitchell - Shadows and Light

Joni Mitchell's 1970s and '80s forays into jazzier territory may have distressed her folkie faithful, but they also resulted in some uncompromising, challenging, and, yes, entertaining music. Witness this 73-minute document from her '79 tour, which finds her backed by her greatest band ever, including guitarist Pat Metheny and the extraordinary bassist Jaco Pastorius, as well as Metheny cohort Lyle Mays (keyboards), Michael Brecker (sax), and Don Alias (drums). Mitchell's The Hissing of Summer Lawns-Hejira-Mingus period is heavily favored; there are two tunes from Court and Spark, but nothing earlier. It's not perfect--the film clips edited into the live tracks (at Mitchell's direction) are an annoying distraction (Rebel Without a Cause? Huh?). But by the time Mitchell, Mays, and vocal group the Persuasions finish a spine-tingling version of the title song, you'll have witnessed something special--and historic, as this was the only time this stellar crew toured together. --Sam Graham

Pat Metheny Group: The Way Up - Live [HD DVD]

This new DVD filmed in late 2005 features the full concert version of Metheny's most recent album "The Way Up." Included are 4 tracks interview with Metheny and band biographies.System Requirements:Running Time: 91 minsFormat: DVD HD Genre: MUSIC DVD/CONCERTS Rating: NR UPC: 801213330096 Manufacturer No: 33300-9

Pat Metheny fans know by now what to expect from a recorded performance by the guitarist and his group, and it's all here on The Way Up - Live: superb, versatile musicianship, mixing virtuoso soloing with telepathic ensemble interplay and sustained moments of majestic passion and intensity; intricate rhythms and time signatures; sweeping textures punctuated by some memorable melodic passages; and, from a purely technical standpoint, superior sound and visuals. Yet The Way Up is a bit different, and a good deal more challenging. First heard on the group's 2005 CD of the same name (this performance was recorded in Seoul, South Korea), it's a long, ambitious piece of music consisting of four lengthy parts, all played without pause. For a live audience, it's more like taking in a classical music concert than a jazz or rock show; there are melodies and grooves, but no tunes, per se, as the piece mostly lacks the song-like appeal of much of the Metheny Group's best known work. Composed by Metheny and Lyle Mays, his longtime partner and keyboardist, the music constantly evolves over the course of its 70 minutes (Metheny himself changes guitars like Cher switches costumes), to the point where you might not actually recall much of it when it's over. But you'll certainly remember the experience of watching and listen to these seven brilliant musicians at work; and like the Seoul audience, you will be wowed. An interview with Metheny is the sole bonus feature. --Sam Graham

Pat Metheny Group - The Way Up - Live [Regions 1 & 4]

This new DVD featuring Metheny and collaborator and keyboards player Lyle Mays features the full concert version of the recent album "The Way Up" which earned the group their 10th Grammy Award. Special bonus feature is a 22 minute interview with Pat Metheny.System Requirements:Running Time: 91 minsFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: MUSIC DVD/CONCERTS UPC: 801213913190 Manufacturer No: 39131-9

Pat Metheny fans know by now what to expect from a recorded performance by the guitarist and his group, and it's all here on The Way Up - Live: superb, versatile musicianship, mixing virtuoso soloing with telepathic ensemble interplay and sustained moments of majestic passion and intensity; intricate rhythms and time signatures; sweeping textures punctuated by some memorable melodic passages; and, from a purely technical standpoint, superior sound and visuals. Yet The Way Up is a bit different, and a good deal more challenging. First heard on the group's 2005 CD of the same name (this performance was recorded in Seoul, South Korea), it's a long, ambitious piece of music consisting of four lengthy parts, all played without pause. For a live audience, it's more like taking in a classical music concert than a jazz or rock show; there are melodies and grooves, but no tunes, per se, as the piece mostly lacks the song-like appeal of much of the Metheny Group's best known work. Composed by Metheny and Lyle Mays, his longtime partner and keyboardist, the music constantly evolves over the course of its 70 minutes (Metheny himself changes guitars like Cher switches costumes), to the point where you might not actually recall much of it when it's over. But you'll certainly remember the experience of watching and listen to these seven brilliant musicians at work; and like the Seoul audience, you will be wowed. An interview with Metheny is the sole bonus feature. --Sam Graham

Pat Metheny Group - Speaking of Now Live

There's nary a flaw to be found in this lengthy (135 minutes) concert performance by guitarist Pat Metheny and his sextet, recorded in Tokyo in 2002. The musicianship is superb, the material (much of it drawn from the Metheny Group album of the same name) strong, the sound and visuals impeccable, the audience respectful... and therein lies the problem, such as it is. The whole effect is a bit sterile; there's little of the communication between listeners and players that can ignite jazz or rock shows in more intimate, less formal settings. Co-founders Metheny and keyboardist Lyle Mays, longtime bassist/co-producer Steve Rodby, and the three more recent members (multi-instrumentalists Richard Bona and Cuong Vu and drummer Antonio Sanchez) are all brilliant, versatile players. And it's nice to hear their interpretations of Jobim's "How Insensitive" and Metheny's lovely title tune from the film A Map of the World. But unless you get off on seeing a lot of close-ups of Metheny's facial contortions, listening to the PMG's recordings should suffice. --Sam Graham

Pat Metheny Group - We Live Here

Guitarist, composer, and bandleader Pat Metheny has done it all in the course of his career, and on his own terms. He's recorded in solo, duo, and trio formats and with groups of various sizes; he's composed film soundtracks, led bands with the likes of Ornette Coleman, made a variety of guest appearances, and toured all over the world. Yet it's with his own Pat Metheny Group, an outfit that he and keyboardist Lyle Mays began some 25 years ago, that he has made much of his arguably best and certainly most popular music. So it is, then, that any Metheny Group concert recording is a welcome addition to his catalog.

That's certainly true in the case of this 1995 Japanese show, even though much of the material (five of 13 songs) on We Live Here is drawn from the album of that name, which was not one of the group's finest. At its best (as on Metheny "classics" like "First Circle" and "Minuano"), the Metheny Group's music isn't really jazz, or what's usually called fusion, or world music, but rather a fluid, distinctive blend of them all; it's improvised yet composed, often quite beautiful ("Farmer's Trust," "Antonia") but also frequently challenging ("Scrap Metal"). Metheny, Mays, and the five other members of the group are all superb players, and play is exactly what they do--this is a no-frills enterprise, with some brief musician interviews between tracks (plus superb Dolby 5.1 digital or stereo sound) but no bonus DVD features. That's no surprise. With Pat Metheny it's always been strictly about the music, and that's enough. --Sam Graham

Led by Pat Metheny--virtuoso guitarist, composer and producer--the eight member Pat Metheny Group perform their jazz fusion stylings live in Japan. Nominated for 23 Grammys in his career, Metheny and his group continue to push the envelope of jazz, leaving true believers in their wake. Tracks: Have You Heard, And Then I Knew, Here to Stay, First Circle, Scrap Metal, Farmer's Trust, Episode D'Azur, Third Wind, This Is Not America, Antonia, To the End of the World, Minuano (Six-Eight), Stranger in Town. 110 minutes.

Imaginary Day Live

"Imaginary Day" was shot live at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga, California in 1998. Performing 6 songs off the at the time newly released "Imaginary Day" album, the Pat Metheny Group pushes the boundaries of jazz, bringing the viewer on a journey to the deepest parts of the mind and soul.

TRACK LISTING
1. Into the Dream 2. Follow Me 3. A Story 4. Imaginary Day 5. Heat of the Day 6. Across the Sky 7. The Roots of Coincidence 8. Message to a Friend 9. September Fifteenth 10. Minuano (Six Eight)

Bruce Hornsby & Friends

Bruce Hornsby's versatility, piano chops, voice, songs, and taste in musical companions are the highlights of Bruce Hornsby & Friends, an outstanding concert performance recorded in New York in 1995. Originally inspired by Elton John and Leon Russell, Hornsby later added jazz to his cupboard of influences; as a result, there is no better pianist in popular music, and his playing throughout the 56-minute show is superb. His band is pretty hot, too (as is the remarkably crisp Dolby Digital audio), but it's the guest appearances that lift this effort to another level entirely. True, Gregory Hines was a slightly odd choice; Hines' tap dancing on "Talk of the Town" is nice, but nothing special. But Pat Metheny burns on "White Wheeled Limousine," which finds the guitarist, Hornsby, and the band both swinging ferociously and rocking hard; Bob Weir joins Hornsby (a frequent Grateful Dead collaborator both before and after Jerry Garcia's death) for "Jack Straw," arguably Weir's best song; Don Henley does a nice job on "The End of the Innocence," co-written with Hornsby; and Bonnie Raitt is her usual bluesy, soulful self on "The Valley Road." With its intricate ensemble passages, catchy vocal choruses, and appealing lyrical slices of Americana, Hornsby's music is strong stuff. And notwithstanding the absence of DVD bonus features, it's hard to imagine a better showcase for it than this one. --Sam Graham

1. Intro 2. Spider Fingers 3. Talk Of The Town 4. The End Of The Innocence 5. Walk In The Sun 6. White Wheeled Limousine 7. Mandolin Rain 8. Jack Straw 9. Rainbow's Cadillac 10. The Valley Road 11. Cruise Control 12. Credits

Dejohnette, Hancock, Holland and Metheny - Live in Concert

DeJohnette, Hancock, Holland, Metheny in Concert is a feature-length (98 minutes) release edited from two concerts given by the jazz superstar lineup of Jack DeJohnette, Herbie Hancock, Dave Holland, and Pat Metheny at the Mellon Jazz Festival held in the Academy of Music in Philadelphia on June 23, 1990. This was part of an outstanding world tour following drummer DeJohnette's Parallel Realities album, though this program and the original album have only two cuts in common, "Indigo Dreamscapes" and "Nine over Reggae." Hancock (piano and keyboards) and Metheny (guitar) were both on Parallel Realities, but here they contribute material from their own back catalog: Hancock a barnstorming 15-minute "Hurricane" and the closing "Cantaloupe Island," Metheny the appropriately nocturnal and reflective "The Bat." Bassist Dave Holland, who was the guest on the tour, wrote the longest cut, "Shadow Dance." Here are four of the world's finest modern jazz artists at the top of their game; virtuoso playing certainly, but also impeccable taste and artistry, seamless interaction, and inspired music-making. When combined with a transparent, gimmick-free visual style, which simply shows the musicians playing (concentrated on whoever is soloing), the result is an uplifting, exhilarating example of how well jazz can be presented on DVD. --Gary S. Dalkin, Amazon.co.uk

Jack DeJohnette - Drums, Herbie Hancock - Keyboards, Dave Holland - Bass, Pat Metheney - Guitars. For the first time, these four masterful musicians come together to form a jazz group most people would never expect to see happen. Taking their collaborations around the world, they toured Canada, Europe, Japan, and the United States, performing concerts and festivals to sold out audiences and rave reviews. On June 23, 1990, this extraordinary group performed two concerts at the Mellon Jazz Festival at the Philadelphia Academy of music. Both shows were filmed and have been carefully edited to create a technically flawless video of a truly "once in a lifetime" event. All of the songs were selected with great care, as might be expected from a band of this caliber. Including "Shadow Dance", a Dave Holland original; "Solar", a popular Miles Davis original; "Blue" is an original piece by Jack DeJohnette, and "Cantaloupe Island", the closing number of the program, is a Herbie Hancock original from the 60's. Formatted for DVD 16 x 9.