Track Listing

1. As It Is
2. Proof
3. Another Life
4. The Gathering Sky
5. You
6. On Her Way
7. A Place In The World
8. Afternoon
9. Wherever You Go

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #14939 in Music
• Released on: 2002-02-18
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .21 pounds

Amazon.co.uk Review
With Speaking of Now the Pat Metheny Group blends further into its customary habitat. The hip-hop and funk diversions of the 1995 We Live Here are long gone, supplanted by the default PMG mix of soft-focus Latin rhythms, mellifluous guitar, tinkling piano and heavenly vocal melodies. For some, the diaphanous surface of the typical Metheny Group record transmits blandness, but the compositions are often ingenious. Try the opening "As It Is", for example, which has a breadth of structure more often found in orchestral writing than pop-jazz; beneath the epic exterior, there's serious musical intent in structure, harmony and sound. There's no less musical content when Metheny tears up the fingerboard in "On Her Way"; his tone may be muted, but the ideas are undiluted, the delivery full force. As ever, the lyrical mood is occasionally broken by the howling viola-cum-trumpet guitar-synth sound that has become a Metheny trademark, but real trumpet is well played on several occasions by new brassman Cuong Vu. There's also a new vocalist in Richard Bona and a new drummer in Antonio Sanchez. However, the arrival of new blood does nothing to disrupt the signature sound of the PMG. The long-governing trio of Metheny, Lyle Mays and Steve Rodby makes sure the group stays true to its roots and, perhaps, its audience's expectations. --Mark Gilbert

Album Description
There is no setting that defines Pat Metheny more than his role as bandleader of one of the most acclaimed and influential musical ensembles of the past quarter-century, the Pat Metheny Group. Founded by Metheny in 1977, the Pat Metheny Group has relentlessly travelled the world selling out concerts, festivals and clubs in more than 40 countries, becoming one of the most active and popular touring acts of any kind anywhere. Each new record and tour is awaited with eager anticipation and speculation. With a new line-up--percussionist and vocalist Richard Bona, trumpeter Cuong Vu and drummer Antonio Sanchez--joining longtime pianist/collaborator Lyle Mays, bassist and co-producer Steve Rodby (now in his 20th year with the group) and Metheny, Speaking of Now is one of the most exciting, creative and inviting recordings of the group's already long and illustrious career.

CD Description
Guitarist/composer extraordinaire Pat Metheny has never been one to stand still for long, and on SPEAKING OF NOW, his mercurial muse finds working with a new band and exploring new sounds. Though Metheny's trademark guitar style remains inthe same general vein as on previous releases, it's surrounded by a different sonic framework. Young Vietnamese trumpeter Cuong Vu took time out from making a name for himself on his own sui generis jazz releases to lay down some tasteful,Miles-inspired trumpet, while Richard Bona's percussion andvocals add a South American feel (Metheny's flirted with Brazilian influences before, but not in this context. Despite the new developments, Metheny's longtime right-hand man LyleMays mans the keyboards to produce the kind of twinkling piano tones and contemplative, gauzy synth textures that are time-tested to mesh pefectly with the leader's distinctive guitar sound.

Customer Reviews

IF YOU ARE A PAT METHENY GROUP FAN...BUY IT!
Another beautiful album from the best live band of the last 25 years. Yes!,the compositions may not be as profound as on the last PMG album 'Imaginary Day',and there is the feeling that you are on familiar territory (sort of a more mature 'Letter From Home') but this is one of the most beautiful albums they have made.
The Ballad 'You' is as moving as 'Mas Alla' from 'First Circle', and 'Dream of the Return' from 'Letter from Home'. Pats and Lyle's playing and compositions are up to the usual standard and of the 3 new band members,Richard Bona's voice blends almost as well as Pedro Aznar's did.Also the trumpet playing is exquisite.
As usual the recording quality is 1st rate and at 71 minutes its generously filled. If you are used to living with PMG subtlety and listening on long-warm summers nights then buy it..its perfect...you won't be disapointed.

The best yet
It has taken me 18 months from buying this CD to reviewing it. I was quite pleased with it when I first bought it, but since then it has grown, grown, grown, grown until I now consider it without doubt the finest offering from Metheny's extensive catalogue.

The greatest complimet I can pay this CD is to say that it easily matches the most sublime moments on classic albums such as Still Life Talking, Travels and The Road to You whilst capturing the listeners attention from first to last with a consistency not quite achieved since the excellent, though very different, PMG debut album way back in the '70s.

It irritates me slightly when I read through reviews of Metheny albums because there is always someone who suggests it as ideal music to put on the stereo whilst enjoying a romantic meal. I find Metheny's music absolutely exhilarating, it seems degrading to regard it as high quality muzak. For me, it is the ideal companion to the exhilaration of travel. I first heard 'The Road to You' on a long bus journey into Patagonia on a clear, crisp winter's day, and listened to 'Speaking of Now' on a boat journey down the Mekong River in Laos. Pat Metheny's job is to create a soundtrack for his fan's lives, and he's bloody good at it.

Old School in a new way
Metheny and the guys sound like they used to do - and then again. It is classic Metheny with a new touch of elegance and charm. Like Secret Story meets Imaginary Day meets the upcoming spring.
I love this record. It will make my life even better. Thank you Lord Metheny!!!!