Product Description

Guitarist Pat Metheny's atmospheric, "smooth" (when that word didn't carry ugly connotations) jazz was just about readyto set the world afire when this Pat Metheny Group effort hit the racks. Metheny's was one of the tighter outfits in modern jazz when this eponymous album was released in 1978 on ECM, the label that really mattered for them in the '70s.
The Group's idiosyncratic blending of folk, blues stylings,improv spaciness, and supple rock underpinnings were unlikeanything then happening in jazz. The opener, "San Lorenzo",establishes the mood. Ten-plus minutes of shimmering cymbals pierce a veil of stark bass, luminescent synthesizer motifs, and, of course, Metheny's resolutely gorgeous six- and 12-string picking. The music refracts differing hues in a prismatic puzzle. Sparse and beautiful.

Track Listing

1. San Lorenzo
2. Phase Dance
3. Jaco
4. Aprilwind
5. April Joy
6. Lone Jack

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #82248 in Music
• Released on: 1988-07-01
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review
Having criss-crossed America to the tune of 250-300 one-nighters a year while getting their sound and repertoire together, the Pat Metheny Group struck gold with this self-titled jazz-fusion classic in 1978. All the familiar components defining their evolution over the last 20 years are in place on Pat Metheny Group: the leader's dark, reverberant electric guitar sound and graceful acoustic colourations; pianist Mays' blend of Presbyterian hymnbook major chord hosannas, Bill Evans-styled minor mystery and orchestral synthesizer effects, the rolling, cymbal-inflected groove of Dan Gottlieb, and the Jaco Pastorious-influenced melodic bass lines of Mark Egan. On "San Lorenzo" and "Phase Dance" the band defined their anthematic blend of electric jazz, progressive rock and roots Americana, while the country-like intro to "Jaco", the sublime acoustic romance of "April Wind" and the brisk jazz samba changes of "Lone Jack" (with the leader's jaunty, lightly echoed melodic lead) speak to Metheny's interest in a wide range of source material--with a commitment to both extended forms and the art of improvisation. --Chip Stern

Customer Reviews

The Best Pat Metheny Album
I like much of Pat Metheny's music and have many of his albums but if I had to select one as a favourite, then this is it. It has great melodies, great improvisation and a generally upbeat and happy feel. It's one of the few "Jazz" albums you can put on in mixed company and get appreciative comments. There's no duff tracks nor any to break the mood, and it doesnt resort to blandness or cliches. One for the desert island, especially if there's a great bunch of friends and a barbie going!

sublime
Just recently decided to learn more about Pat Metheny's music. I'm a big fan of Steve Reich and his 'Electric Counterpoint' has long been one of my favorite works. But I somehow failed to follow through on Pat Metheny as a guitarist.
I bought this as a result of the previous review and have yet to stop listening to it. The landscapes of 'San Lorenzo' remind me of the instrumentals on Van Morrison's 'Beautiful Vision' - lustrous and evocative.
There is something quite gorgeous about this whole album. It is hypnotic and beautiful with quite amazing phrasing from Metheny and Mays. Music to get totally lost in.
There are so many exquisite 'moments' - a few bars here and there which are heart-stopping - and an overall life affirming feel that makes you glad to be breathing.

5 stars just isn't enough....
... this is one of, if not THE, greatest fusion album(s) ever made. It's just so lyical, exhillerating and breathtaking in it's immotional impact.
There are parts that bring tears to my eyes everytime I play it (for all the right reasons!!!) just listen to 'April wind'(there's a series of chord progressions that lead from one theme into another which makes my heart ache) to see what I mean.
And how do they actually play 'Lone Jack'? It's absolutely note perfect and yet played at three million miles an hour (remminiscent of Mahavishnu's 'The Inner Mounting Flame' album - stunning!
If you are into fusion, or have gotten into Metheny's more recent albums, you must get this. It's Metheny at his absolute best, everything he's done since pales in it's shadow.