Just a bit of Jazz - Pat Metheny

My first contact with his music, was in the late 70's. A shy guitar player (he still seems shy), discrete composer and a precocious teacher, he began teaching at Berklee College of Music when he was just 19.
I discovered his music by chance, flicking through hundreds of records exhibited in the shelves of a second hand vinyl store in Buenos Aires.

I asked the guy there to play it in the turntable, and the songs attracted my atention immediately: the LP was New Chautauqua (1979), a guitar solo album with only 6 tracks.
By following the next link you can listen the main song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2aEJC6BL0g

His musical history is well known in the most famous jazz circles. Many times poll winner in specialized music magazines, 18-times grammy award winner in different categories and recognized by his colleagues, he is still on the road, alternating solo albums (beware, some of them experimental) , band albums (different partners but usually with the same keyboardist and co-composer Lyle Mays whom for me, is his best half), and ocassional duets (one of the last with Brad Mehldau) or trios.

He has also written soundtracks, composing and performing the music for a few TV episodes, series and commercials, and has colaborated in the development of the 42 string Pikasso Guitar (shown below) which he plays in some of his concerts.



Take a look at the technique he uses to play it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOBhOBsU10Y


You must not miss some of his records.
Let me recommend a few: We Live Here, Secret Story, Still Life (Talking), Letter From Home or Imaginary Day.

To finish this short review, watch As It Is in a live performance

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSONbye6n98&feature=BFa&list=AVGxdCwVVULXeZunJaNPiSNa1sg0cbaHJn&index=6

Enjoy this music as I do !!