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Pat Metheny Trio
A wonderful surprise of somewhat local-ties is the performance of bassist Larry Grenadier. I say "somewhat" because, although I do not know him personally, I do remember him being among the top faculty at the Stanford Jazz Workshop several years ago. If you had told me then he'd get a gig with Pat Metheny, who at the time was known for larger groups and more electric outings...well, I probably would have slapped you. Drummer Bill Stewart was also an unheard of name for a long time, but came into prominence with another guitarist you may have heard of, John Scofield. Drummers like myself winced at the thought of anybody following guys like Steve Jordan and Dennis Chambers, but Stewart transformed Sco's group into a swinging machine, and the Down Beats and Modern Drummers of the world quickly took notice. Rightfully so. The dichotomy of the "Live" performances here (culled from '99-'00 tour in Europe, Japan, and the United States) is that you could easily drift off into a wholly relaxed state, but for the more studious types there is way, way to much information here. Everyone is at the top of their game, from the slow-Latin take on "Giant Steps" and the up "All The Things You Are" to the brilliant 19:53 "Question and Answer" and Metheny's famous "Bright Size Life," which leads off disc one. Disc two leads off with the Metheny/Lyle Mays classic "James" and ends with the deliciously twangy "Counting Texas." What really can be said? I'm aghast. There are too many words that could describe performances like this. Let's try...exquisite. Review by Don E Zulaica |
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Some
things are best kept simple, and there's nothing simpler -
and more engaging - than a good trio. And we all know about
Mr. Metheny's exploits, but what of the other 2/3?