Pat Metheny

Pat Metheny is the greatest jazz guitar player of our generation. Pat is one of the few giants who have taken jazz guitar out of the pure bebop domain and into the post-bop era while remaining true to the sound and spirit of the instrument. I chose a few tracks that represent Pat's development over the years.

• James - This is from Pat Metheny's 'chorus' sound period. This is a great original tune and a beautiful solo. Pat weaves his beautiful melodic lines which finally speed up and go through some angular chromatics.
• Farmer's Trust I include this piece because I think that Pat's sound on this track is one of the most beautiful and subtle I have ever heared. His attention to detail in producing a beautiful sound from his instrument is almost classical in its approach and very few other jazz guitarists have ever gone this far in terms of sound and dynamics.
• Solar - This piece is representative of the trio records Pat has been putting out in the last few years. Pat takes the entire history of post-bop melodic and harmonic devices to levels of musical expression that no other guitar player has reached.
• Change Of Heart - More trio sounds, with a half-time rhythmic background that lets Pat explore multiple rhythmic and melodic ideas.

For samples from Pat Metheny's great new Trio Live album, you can visit the CDNOW website.