Tour de force of melody/improvisation tension
3
By Navigations
As others have done, I have to begin with praise for Metheny and his illustrious career. His early ECM recordings are remarkable as are many of later Geffen recordings. His is a remarkable talent. The title of this album, What's It All About, I take to be a reference to the lyrics of "Alfie," maybe a statement of personal questioning at this point in his career, and certainly, a statement about the tension that exists in jazz generally between improvisation and melody. The problem with the tracks here is that the latter meaning of the title really subsumes everything else that the music here could communicate, including the emotions that the original songs bring, the melancholy, the love, the playfulness, the loneliness, the world-weariness. The album ends up a tour de force statement of that tension between the constraints of melody and the freedom of improvisation. As such, it's a remarkable effort, but the listener's (at least, this listener's) emotional connection is lost. I think maybe Metheny forgot that many of his listeners here would bring to their listening of this album a lot of emotional baggage from the '60s and their experiences with these songs. But I don't want to put the album down too much. I'm not sure anyone could really pull off what Metheny was trying to pull off with this album. And if anyone could have, it would have been Pat Metheny. So, it's still worth a listen--and I'm hoping, it will grow on me.
Mesmerizing
5
By bryanc63
Hats off to the iTunes reviewer, who articulates so much so well.
A must-have for any boomer or acoustic guitar fan
5
By ArthurPJohnson
I could hardly believe my ears as the first few bars of this album whispered through my speakers. In this album, Pat Matheny transcends categories and speaks directly to the soul of any baby boomer, any acoustic guitar fan, any jazz lover and anyone with a sense of musical history. It may not be the best, but it's certainly the most seductive album I've heard all year. Yes, I'm already by Pat Matheny follower. But that's not required at all to love this album. If you like Steely Dan, if you like Simon and Garfunkel, if you like the Beach Boys— and who in their right mind doesn't? — this albums for you
Thank you
5
By Harokokoko
This album is a drug to my soul....
Disappointing
2
By ReeseFL
10 years ago, I hardly listened to any music other than Pat Metheny. Probably a little overboard to be honest, but he could do no wrong in my book. The last few years, however, it has all sounded the same - uninspired. Now I hardly ever break out a Pat CD and I no longer wait impatiently for tour dates to be published. What a shame and a loss. Where is the old Pat of the Offramp days?
Say it isn
2
By Smthjazz_74
Alas its been so long since the last PMG release that I fear that Pat no longer has the interest in the group anymore and has come to the conclusion that this is how he'll end his career. Once PMG is gone they'll never be another.
Pat's 19th Grammy goes to this album
5
By EWaldrup
Simply stunning.
Five Star Album
5
By kewendel
All songs are five stars on my ipod; enough said?
You are missing the point.
5
By imgrosser
Please tell me what is wrong with Pat doing something different? These are all great songs that are timeless and it's nice to hear a new spin on them. You people don't get how much composing at Pats' takes out of you. Give the guy a break and enjoy these classic tunes!
Also some of you really should learn how to write more intelligently.
Way too talented for this rehashed snooze fest
2
By Whennif
I hate to bash the ole mighy one but come on. Like the lyrics say in one of his above songs, "the time is passing by." Pat you are too good to playing these one man songs that I can play on guitar. Why don't you do what the people want and what is long overdue. A NEW PAT METHENY GROUP CD......
