Pat Metheny's Orchestrion

derek · #1 01-27-2010, 01:10 PM

Wondering if any of you have heard the buzz or listened to Pat's most recent, and perhaps most challenging project to date. Facinating process, and typical great Metheny music. The guy has a muse that never seems to stop.

Pat Metheny

BMaag · #2 01-27-2010, 01:22 PM

I first heard of this from Metheny's website a year or so ago, but didn't see anything else about it until a few weeks ago. I love the idea, and from what I can hear on the EPK, the music will be great. I hope to buy a copy soon.

derek · #3 01-27-2010, 02:55 PM

Cool thing is, he is headed out on tour with this thing. Should be interesting.

BMaag · #4 01-27-2010, 05:20 PM

I know! I can't even imagine how much work must go into orchestrating it and doing it live on top of that. Utterly ridiculous. I think that this, by far, trumps any previous eccentricities related to Pat Metheny and I love it.

BigDaddyLoveHandles · #5 01-27-2010, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMaag

I know! I can't even imagine how much work must go into orchestrating it and doing it live on top of that. Utterly ridiculous. I think that this, by far, trumps any previous eccentricities related to Pat Metheny and I love it.

What, even Song X and Zero Tolerance for Silence?

keith · #6 01-27-2010, 07:29 PM

I agree this is pretty interesting but it ignores the one thing I like most about jazz without having the real time improvisational interaction between all the musicians. Last time I saw Metheny with McBride and Sanchez I was amazed how they responded to one another. But kudos to this guy who always seems to be thinking and trying new approaches.

BMaag · #7 01-27-2010, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles

What, even Song X and Zero Tolerance for Silence?

Haha I completely forgot about song X.

fep · #8 01-27-2010, 07:52 PM

I bought tickets to this tour. I didn't realize this was a solo show and wouldn't have bought the tickets had I known. I like to watch the interaction between jazz musicians. It seems to me this show won't have the same interest and excitment of his ensembles.

Oh well, caveat emptor... I guess.

BigDaddyLoveHandles · #9 01-27-2010, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMaag

Haha I completely forgot about song X.

I actually like Song X a lot, but then I'm an Ornette fan, and I caught them in the Song X tour, too!

derek · #10 01-27-2010, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fep

I bought tickets to this tour. I didn't realize this was a solo show and wouldn't have bought the tickets had I known. I like to watch the interaction between jazz musicians. It seems to me this show won't have the same interest and excitment of his ensembles.

Oh well, caveat emptor... I guess.

I hear you, and Pat has made it clear he isn't giving up the PMT, but this is a side project. Probably a one time thing, knowing him, so it should be quite an exerience.

P.J. · #11 02-09-2010, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles

I actually like Song X a lot, but then I'm an Ornette fan, and I caught them in the Song X tour, too!

Song X is awesome! This orchestrion stuff looks really interesting. Rube Goldberg would be proud!

=-) PJ

FatJeff · #12 02-10-2010, 08:32 AM

He's coming out here (Denver) in May, and I'll probably go check it out. He's a freak! (in a good way)

heycheckit · #13 02-16-2010, 02:28 PM

Orchestrion is one hell of a one man show.
After listening front to back a few times, I honestly can not imagine how one man composed and played all of the instruments - and believe me he has got a ton of toys in this one. Oh yea, the 'orchestrions' can definently swing.

The title track is a 15 minute epic. Beautiful flurry of notes, rhythms, and harmony lead by Metheny - can't imagine how many instruments he involved in this project.
Then there's some of the usual slow, atmospheric Metheny stuff. He finishes it off with the - what I'd say - the best (and shortest) song "Spirit of The Air" with an incredible solo.
I think anyone would like this album, jazz fan or not.

JeanSut · #14 02-16-2010, 03:06 PM

The music of this projekt sounds boring to me. It reminds me too much of the Pat Metheny Group. With his group and also with the orchestrion thing he has taken a direction that I don't really like. No interaction.
I am a Metheny Fan by the way ...

Lambosoa · #15 02-17-2010, 01:19 AM

I haven't heard much of it, just a few snippets here and there, but sounds interesting.
On his website forum, those who went to the concerts unanimously say that it's REALLY mind-blowing. Drives me nuts that I won't have the opportunity to witness that first-hand.

ftz · #16 03-15-2010, 03:08 AM

Well I've seen Pat Metheny Orchestrion last friday evening.

It was the first time I've seen him live, so I can not really compare with other type of performances. It was quiet interesting. BUT I didn't really like the way the show was organized...

I hope it's no spoiler, otherwise don't read the below

it starts with some nice solo accoustic pieces, à la "One Quiet Night", nothing to say, it was good.

I went with my girlfriend, who's not musician at all. She really enjoyed this part.

Then the orchestrion part begins. At this point Pat hasn't said a single word (no hello, nothing), and he plays 4 of the 5 pieces of the orchestrion suite. It's quiet impressive, but honestly after a while, trying to understand where the sound actually comes from, you start thinking it's a bit too much. It's like listening to someone playing with some very expensive BIAB, looks like everything is pre-recorded, and the "live" part looks reduced to Pat improvisation (which was good, really, but the orchestrion mechanismus behind Pat casts a very big shadow..).

My girlfriend was almost sleeping at this point...

Anyway, at that point he stopped and started talking in the mic ! He didn't explained much, but described the artistic process. Not much on the technical part. He then finished the Orchestrion suite.

And then it was cool because he started improvising using the Orchestrion, and only then could you really see him overdubbing with different instruments, creating layers of music, this was great.

So in the end it's a good show, but he keeps the public in the dark for a good 2/3 of the performance, which is long enough to be a bit frustrated (some people left...). And I would say it's a bit of a too experimental show for non-musician. And for the price (well... we paid about 60$ each ticket for 3rd category seats...), well my girlfriend wasn't really happy

I'm going to see Paco da Lucia this friday, it will surely be something different

derek · #17 03-15-2010, 08:45 AM

Interesting. Thanks for the review. At this point in his career, Pat can pretty much do what he wants. I know he has quite an active muse, and likes pushing the boundaries. Art is supposed to move you one way or the other, but not put you to sleep.

I am looking forward to seeing him when he comes to town later this year.

AlliedLive · #18 03-22-2010, 04:08 PM

Monday, April 19, 8:00pm at Walt Disney Concert Hall

Featured Artists:
Pat Metheny
Romero Lubambo, special guest

World-renowned guitarist/composer and 17-time Grammy winner Pat Metheny moves from brilliant improvisations to a new technology for acoustically driven “solo ensemble” music he dubs Orchestrionics. Brazilian guitarist Lubambo joins for a special collaboration.

For tickets and information, visit LAPhil.com.

http://www.laphil.com/tickets/performance-detail.cfm?id=4177?utm_medium=email&utm_source=all ied&utm_campaign-Pat

Additional Assets:
http://www.patmetheny.com/orchestrioninfo/
http://itunes.apple.com/podcast/about-the-music/id129228134