PSA - Pat Metheny Manchester

CoffeeAndTV

For those who like his playing and live in the North West.  Metheny is playing in Manchester with his new group, Side-Eye III.  From what I’ve seen before I think it’s an organ/keys trio.  The tickets are up today if you’re interested.  

axisus

I have about 11 hours of Metheny music in my collection. Some albums I like a lot more than others. I can never quite decide if his music is amazing of the most sophisticated lift music known to man.

The absolute highlight for me is the brilliant Are you going with me.
Best album was my first - Still life talking
Worst album - Zero Tolerance for Silence. It was so bad I went back to HMV and demanded my money back! Honestly, it sounds like the worst piss take ever. I could have composed and recorded the equivalent music on my second day of playing guitar.

Haven't heard Side-eye before. Just played some on Youtube. Quite nice, more of an old school vibe than a lot of his stuff.

CoffeeAndTV

I’m not a fan of the Group music, but love the trio and the other bands where it’s mainly around jazz and improvisation.  

CaseOfAce

I know so little about this guy and yet he's one of the best jazz guitarists in the world.
I really should check him out more.
I love the 15 minute Half Life of Absolution cut from the Pat Metheny Group "The Road To You" album which I stumbled upon once. One of those late night, turn the lights off and turn up the stereo tracks... absolutely superb playing from all involved.

So I take it this is one of those ultra rare UK outings with only the 2 dates in Manchester and London?

Fishboy7

I love Bight Size Life and that Side Eye Album from a few years ago is really good.  

I find his hair a bit distracting lately though. 

richh

Thanks - I didn't know about this - got a ticket for one of the London gigs!

Kebabkid

axisus said:

I have about 11 hours of Metheny music in my collection. Some albums I like a lot more than others. I can never quite decide if his music is amazing of the most sophisticated lift music known to man.

The absolute highlight for me is the brilliant Are you going with me.
Best album was my first - Still life talking
Worst album - Zero Tolerance for Silence. It was so bad I went back to HMV and demanded my money back! Honestly, it sounds like the worst piss take ever. I could have composed and recorded the equivalent music on my second day of playing guitar.

Haven't heard Side-eye before. Just played some on Youtube. Quite nice, more of an old school vibe than a lot of his stuff.

Live is where it's at with PM and I've seen him several times, but it's always been with the band and it's so sad that the fantastic Lyle Mays has left us. However, I do get what people mean about the music being called 'lift music' or 'muzak' because that's exactly how some friends, and Mrs.KK have described it to me when I've played it to them, but when you hear him/them live, the musicianship and the sound are just something else. It's Jazz, World and Cinematic Music for me and I particularly like the 80s albums like Offramp, First Circle, Still Life (Talking) and Letter from Home, but my favourite track is the rather straight ahead 'James'

Wiki says he has three gold albums and 20 Grammy Awards and is the only person to have won Grammys in 10 categories.

3 London dates over the weekend of the 18th & 19th July at The Barbican including a Sunday matinee performance

axisus

Fishboy7 said:

I find his hair a bit distracting lately though. 

Totally. Worst hair in music. you'd need a pair of Shears to stand a chance.

Philly112

One of my infrequent posts... First saw PMG in 1985, and have seen them a couple of times since, as well as the Herbie Hancock, JackDejohnette and Dave Holland tour. But nothing since the early 1990s.
Booked a ticket for Manchester with no real expectations, but figured it might be my last chance to see him.
I've checked out a couple of You Tube clips from the US leg. And they are sounding amazing. Really sensational band, and a great set list mixing old and new. Pat's playing is as good as ever, so very pleased I got a ticket.
But that hair...

KRS

Thanks to @CoffeeAndTV for the heads up on this. Got tickets for the Manchester gig, really looking forward to seeing Pat Metheny, first time for me. 

CoffeeAndTV

KRS said:

Thanks to @CoffeeAndTV for the heads up on this. Got tickets for the Manchester gig, really looking forward to seeing Pat Metheny, first time for me. 

He’s not as fiery as he was in his younger years, but he’s still a pleasure to listen to.  You’re in for a treat imo.