Pat Metheny - New Chautaugua (1979)
Side I
1. "New Chautauqua" 5:19
2. "Country Poem" 2:34
3. "Long-Ago Child/Fallen Star" 10:19
Side II
4. "Hermitage" 5:39
5. "Sueño con Mexico" 5:59
6. "Daybreak" 8:38
Pat Metheny – electric 6- and 12-string guitars, acoustic guitar, 15-string harp guitar, electric bass
Pat Metheny's 1979 solo album New Chautaugua is a true solo album. He is the only musician on the album, playing all guitars and bass. Metheny plays all the instruments: 6- and 12-string acoustic guitars, electric guitar, harp guitar, and a fretless Fender bass which Jaco Pastorius put together for him, and which Mark Egan was to use later on the next Pat Metheny Group album. There are no drums, but they are not missed. However, you don't go into this album expecting prog/fusion, like you don't go into Opeth's Damnation album expecting harsh vocals and extremely heavy riffs (and there are moments on this album that sort of remind me of mellow Opeth songs.)
This is a more laid back, relaxed album, but not dull, and plenty for guitarists to chew on. Lots of acoustics. Pat's playing overall sounds more confident, listen to the opening title track. Pat plays some great melodies and sweet solo, his tone is starting to improve, not to mention his style is growing and gaining more charisma. I would love to hear a version of the title track WITH drums, though, I think it would be awesome. It's a classic Metheny tune. The next two tracks are more mellow, Country Poem has a nice vibe, feels like standing in a field on a warm sunny day. Long-Ago Child/Fallen Star has a Watercolors feel to it, Pat still experimenting with that introspective, "wet" watery sound. This one is ten minutes long, very deep sounding, almost meditative. It almost sounds like going back to prehistoric times, if that makes sense. This is a bit of a darker piece.
Side two opens with Hermitage, bringing back strong Metheny melodies. Speaking of This music is the core of Pat's sound, that Wes Montgomery, Jim Hall inspired sound, with a Midwestern background and jazz-fusion tendencies, all mixed in one, with an ear for catchy melodies. Even Pat's bass playing is inspired by Jaco, or maybe it's because Jaco made the fretless bass that Pat is playing on this album. Next is Sueño Con México, a piece that is very emotional sounding, it kind of tugs on your heartstrings. A lot of Pat's music does this, his music reflects emotions that most men can't, won't, or don't know how to convey, in both music and socially. Some of his music is not something you may want to listen to if you just recently broke up with someone, or lost a job; but on the flip side, a lot of his music is also celebratory, so it can make you feel like everything is right with the universe, if you're in a good mood or if life is going well. The final piece, Daybreak, starts with Pat on clean electric guitar. The mood is light, introspective again, but if you pay attention to what Pat is actually playing, you'll realize he is already a master guitarist at this point. A lot of what he is playing is complex, either in the chord structures, or the fact that he is playing basslines, chords, and lead melodies all at once. Then suddenly, more guitars, and bass, show up, and the mood turns very positive and upbeat, Pat starts playing very bright colorful melodies, leaving the listener on a good note. All is right again in the universe.