OK, time to move on.
Pat Metheny Group - Pat Metheny Group (1978)
Side I
1. "San Lorenzo" 10:14
2. "Phase Dance" 8:18
Side II
1. "Jaco" 5:34
2. "Aprilwind" 2:09
3. "April Joy" 8:14
4. "Lone Jack" 6:41
Pat Metheny – 6- and 12-string electric and acoustic guitars
Lyle Mays – piano, Oberheim synthesizer, autoharp
Mark Egan – fretless electric bass
Danny Gottlieb – drums
This is the first Pat Metheny Group album, self titled, and is the same lineup as Watercolors but with bassist Mark Egan joining. This is also considered an actual band, apart from Pat's solo albums or collaborations with other artists, and had consistent members, as well as lineup changes like any other band would have. This album is nothing like Watercolors, as Lyle Mays has more influence on the music, has many writing credits, etc... The music is also closer to jazz-rock of the time, but with lusher harmonies, Pat and Lyle aren't the usual 70s jazz-rock musicians. In fact, there was a purpose of going against the status-quo of jazz-rock/fusion of the time. There is a more reflective mood in the music, there are triumphant moments, more Mid-Western, the music at times feels like driving through the countryside, wind in your face, and fields and farms as far as the eye can see. The music is way more structured than most jazz-rock of the 70s, very much composed while still leaving plenty of room for improvisation.
Pat's tone is similar to Watercolors and Bright Size Life, still brighter, more metallic than he is known for. Lyle introduces synths in this album, very tasteful ones, heard best on the opener, San Lorenzo, one of the Group's most well known tunes, as well as Phase Dance, another signature tune, and was also famously covered by the band Phish (guitarist Trey Anastasio is highly influenced by Pat Metheny.) Most keyboardists were very flashy in the 1970s, but Lyle took a more restrained approach, and I think his playing is very beautiful, both on the Group albums and his solo albums.
I really like the opener, San Lorenzo, great melodies, and wonderful solo by Lyle Mays. Much of Pat Metheny's music (especially the PM Group albums) makes me feel a bit nostalgic at times, and that is one of those tunes that does it. The second tune, Phase Dance, sees Pat really take hold and play a very energetic improvised solo. It's crazy that by 1978 Jaco Pastorius' influence can be felt in the jazz world, and on this album it's very obvious. Original bassist Mark Egan has that "Jaco" sound, though not as flashy as Jaco was, still created some good bass parts. The next tune, titled "Jaco" is an obvious tribute to the aforementioned legend of Jazz bass. It kind of makes sense, this tune has a funky groove, a 'cool' melody, feels laid back, but with a little bit of an aggressive edge, with some fantastic early Pat work. This tune is the closest to classic 70s jazz-rock as the band would get. Mark Egan also does his best "Jaco impression" at one point. Next up is the pair of Aprilwind/April Joy, and it is appropriate because it's still April right now. The first part is a Pat alone, it's more reflective piece, and feels like a leftover from Watercolors. It moves into April Joy, and the rest of the band slowly joins in, lots of Jaco-like bass playing here. It is a brighter tune, Pat brings in some catchy melodies, this is one of those feel-good tunes, makes you feel happy. The last tune is Lone Jack, a jazzier piece, some fast playing. A good way to close the album.
How many jazz-rock groups made albums with great melodies everywhere, and still played some serious jazz-rock without sliding into pop or crossover jazz territory?
All of the Pat Metheny Group albums are essential to any Pat Metheny fan, in my opinion they are all Pat's best albums, a top 20 of his discography would probably include all PM Group albums. This first self titled album is a great debut for the band, and they became very popular quickly after this album was released. Like pop star big, something not seen in Jazz before. Pat Metheny Group and Weather Report had hit singles on the radio in the late 70s through the 1980s, and played big venues live. This is sometimes why those bands were labelled "smooth jazz" because they were more commercial, and the music was more accessible. Funny, I don't think modern audiences would find anything from Pat Metheny Group accessible today.