I saw Pat Metheny Group today, in Oslo Concert Hall.
Pat came out on the stage with nothing but his guitar, and started improvising a chord scheme that bit by bit started to sound like the opening of their newest album “The Way Up”. The band came in from around in the audience, with percussion instruments while they were walking.
Then started “The Way Up”. They pulled it a bit longer than they do on the CD, but it’s quite amazing how seven people can make a live show sound like a very thoroughly produced CD, which TWU definitely is. After about one and a half hour, they were finished – with that part. They calmed it down, and played the legendary “Last Train Home”, and selected tunes from “Imaginary Day” plus “Always and Forever”. Pat and Lyle Mays (the keyboard player) has made an awful lot of music, so I must admit I don’t know it all.
It is great to see how PMG has gone all the way into progressive jazz. Truly as a study in contrasts, their latest album visits many genres and in a way moves itself from improvised jazz music to finely composed music. But they do it live too. Not a single person in the band play only one instrument. Lyle played guitar on a tune from Imaginary Day, Antonio Sanches (drums) played bass while Steve Rodby was busy playing bowed Double Bass, and he also played fretless and regular electric bass. Cuong Vu played trumpet, vocals and percussion. Harmonica player Grégorie Maret and second guitarist Nando Lauria did the same.
I am a huge fan of progressive music myself, be it metal, jazz or any other genre, and PMG visits many of them. Quite heavy riffing to electronica get their part. So, anyone should be able to find something with this music that they can like.
Pat himself plays some monstrous MIDI-equipped guitars, plus the Pikasso guitar. Lyle uses a Grand Piano with MIDI triggers, horrendous as it may sound.
I had such a blast at this concert, so I should really let it calm a bit and write a real report. From where I stand, this is music that can be very advanced for the ears who fancy that, and a travel through emotional harmony for others. It’s highly recommended that you buy The Way Up, familiarize yourself with it, and go to a PMG concert as soon as he drops by where you live. They are world class musicians, and it’s a pity to not see them.