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View Full Version : Album Club - Week 55: 21.08.2012: Pat Metheny Group - Still Life (Talking) (1987)



keiths
21-08-2012, 09:15
I feel a bit guilty as I'm so far behind listening to recent album club choices, but will try and catch up as soon as possible. In the meantime, here is my latest choice:

Pat Metheny Group - Still Life (Talking) (1987)
(Vinyl, CD)

http://ring.cdandlp.com/yesyes/photo_grande/114347617.jpg

Spotify:
http://open.spotify.com/album/5YnUbwAzrorRuvSJ0sCj7n

YouTube

1. Minuano (Six Eight) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3rjNHDi6Fg
2. So May It Secretly Begin http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2WM4zDvqJ8
3. Last Train Home http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hu4n-9avOn0
4. (It's Just) Talk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mk_1sv2lToM
5. Third Wind http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYF7Y5Z1WCY
6. Distance http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSJ73aOI0Cg
7. In Her Family http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9GG52HX_ME


Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Still_Life_(Talking)

Pat Metheny was one of the first Jazz musicians I listened to and the one who was mostly responsible for me falling in love with Jazz during my 20s. I first came across Pat Metheny via the Joni Mitchell live album 'Shadows and Light' on which he played guitar.

'Still Life (Talking)' was Metheny's first album for the Geffen label - all his earlier releases were on ECM. This album's style closely follows that of his final ECM release 'First Circle' which introduced a noticeable Latin influence. This style also continues on his next release 'Letter From Home' - so those three albums can almost be considered to be a 'trilogy'.

So please listen without prejudice - regardless of whether you think it's going to be your cup of tea or not - and I look forward to your votes and comments.

synsei
21-08-2012, 09:42
I feel a bit guilty as I'm so far behind listening to recent album club choices, but will try and catch up as soon as possible.

You're not the only one Keith... :o

Alex_UK
21-08-2012, 10:20
I'm with you on being behind with Album Club, people... :o

Anyway, I don't have this - I have a couple of Pat Metheny albums, and a random 1997 Pat Metheny Group album - Imaginary Day, so I whilst not a dedicated fan, I enjoy this sort of thing.

Thanks for posting it up Keith, and look forward to seeing how people get on with this. :)

Tim
21-08-2012, 10:34
Album Club is starting to cost me money :doh: I have bought the last 3 weeks choices and this is looking like number 4!

Will vote after a few listens, but I like it Keith.

John
21-08-2012, 12:06
Its been awhile since I listened to this album
Pat a really talented guitar player
Nice to have a bit of jazz on Album club

The Grand Wazoo
21-08-2012, 18:49
I had a bit of a Pat M buying phase in the '80's too. 'First Circle' is my absolute favourite, closely followed by 'Offramp'. When my wife & I got together, this album came with her, but I never really listened to it much for some reason.
So, having just played it once this evening, I immediately noticed the similarity to 'First Circle'.
A few more spins before I give my thought though.
Good choice Keith.

Beechwoods
21-08-2012, 18:55
I already have a few Pat Metheny albums, and like his stuff from Watercolours through to Trio Live. I've not heard this one though so will be checking it out. I don't know if Pat is 'jazz' or not, but I never liked genre pigeonholes!

John
21-08-2012, 19:22
First of all I think Pat is a really good guitar player some really nice lines and chord voicing
THe hardest bit for me are the atmospheric vocals I just find them annoying, also this is a bit on the smooth side for me
At times you can cleary hear some Wes influnces
What I love about Pat is he has never stood still he kept on pushing his playing
I really recommend One Quiet night

keiths
21-08-2012, 20:44
I had a bit of a Pat M buying phase in the '80's too. 'First Circle' is my absolute favourite, closely followed by 'Offramp'. When my wife & I got together, this album came with her, but I never really listened to it much for some reason.
So, having just played it once this evening, I immediately noticed the similarity to 'First Circle'.
A few more spins before I give my thought though.
Good choice Keith.

First Circle just edges this one in my opinion, but it's not on Spotify (I don't think any ECM releases are), so I chose Still Life instead. I like all his stuff to be honest from Bright Size Life to his current release Unity Band, there's barely a duffer amongst them - but beware of Zero Tolerance For Silence.

Two of his live albums are an excellent start too; the earlier one, Travels, has excellent versions of some of his earlier ECM output (tunes from Offramp, Pat Metheny Group and other albums) whilst the later one, The Road To You has great live versions of tracks from First Circle and later albums.

The Grand Wazoo
21-08-2012, 20:58
.....there's barely a duffer amongst them - but beware of Zero Tolerance For Silence.

Some folks might disagree with you there over 'Song X', the album he did with Ornette Coleman - personally, I think it's glorious!

keiths
21-08-2012, 21:06
Some folks might disagree with you there over 'Song X', the album he did with Ornette Coleman - personally, I think it's glorious!

Me too - I've got the original on vinyl and the Anniversary edition on CD

Beechwoods
21-08-2012, 21:32
Some folks might disagree with you there over 'Song X', the album he did with Ornette Coleman - personally, I think it's glorious!

The first of his I heard, and nearly the last. It's only because I'm tenacious that I gave him another chance! I got Offramp and that hit the spot nicely!

RichB
24-08-2012, 12:09
So a 7 from me, I like it... its jazzy and modern and very nice for working from home to. I'll be checking out more of this stuff.

The Grand Wazoo
06-09-2012, 07:30
After a few more listens, I've given it an 8.

It's generally great but I think it's let down a little with some of Lyle Mayes' keyboard parts, which seem a bit clichéd to me. This isn't something I've ever had a problem with on anything of his I've previously heard (including his excellent first solo album).

I'll certainly be playing 'Still Life (Talking) more than I have in the last 20 years(!), so thanks, Keith, for making me listen.

Bazil
09-09-2012, 13:05
Sorry forgot to vote A or B, it would have been B except omitting the word "generally".
I've given this 5/10, a nice mellow listen while doing something else, the first track though I really like and have played it a few times the rest did just wash over me.

Barry
26-10-2012, 00:58
I've always had difficulty with Pat Metheny, just as I do with all jazz guitarists. He can certainly play guitar, unfortunately the overall effect doesn't do much for me. Sorry: 5/10

MartinT
09-11-2012, 15:57
Very pleasant, but it doesn't really connect with me. I find this with the vast majority of jazz with the notable exception of Davis/Coltrane et al. 5/10.