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The other thing that Pat demonstrates in this interview is the vivid, detailed memory that you see in those who are at the top of their field. Ask Michael Jordan about any inconsequential mid-season game that occurred throughout his career and he could tell you about it in great detail. Same with other great athletes, musicians, etc.
Last edited by Mark M.; 08-23-2021 at 06:31 PM.
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08-23-2021 05:54 PM
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Originally Posted by Christian Miller
Well ok, not the private plane but not coach either.
I once met him at the airport in Rome some 20 years ago and we talked for a while, about his being on the road all the time (amongst other things) and he was totally cool and relaxed about it, said he's living the dream. On another occasion I met Steve Swallow one day in early April and he said he's been to Europe the 5th time that year already, playing single gigs and delivering commissioned
compositions. He'd rather stay at his house in Woodstock and compose but he had to travel to make a living ... didn't like it very much. Pat is quite the Super Star in the jazz world and his status is growing all the time it seems - deservedly so IMHO.
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Originally Posted by grahambop
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Originally Posted by gitman
The thing about going on holiday is that you only have to fly in and fly out, and then sit on a beach or whatever, right? Despite how glamorous it may sound, no-one really enjoys hanging around airports and being driven to and from places. It's tedious and knackering, and then you have to soundcheck and play a show, usually the same day. That's not going to change fundamentally. Maybe you get business class, a better class of hotels and more rest days (depending on the bottom line, scheduling etc) if you're Pat, better sound, guitar tech etc, it all helps, but certain things can't change.
Until you do it as a job, it's hard to see what people are moaning about haha. It's a privilege and a joy to play music, but there are elements there that aren't for everyone.Last edited by Christian Miller; 08-24-2021 at 06:29 AM.
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I think Pat was created to be a big star and not every great jazzman has had the opportunity to travel as much as Pat.
Pat's concerts were big events.
It reminded me a bit of rock band tours.Lights, great sound system, CDs, Pat T-shirts etc.
The music, however, was always at the highest level.
I've seen a couple of Pat's shows - they were all Great .
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Originally Posted by kris
(Anyway, my point wasn't really relevant to thread haha.)
Gary Burton characterised Pat's greatest talent as being a great communicator, someone who connects with the audience in a very special way.
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Originally Posted by Christian Miller
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Originally Posted by grahambop
I have always thought that Pat Metheny is one of the most articulate interviews in music. So many musicians may play brilliantly but have a hard time verbally describing what they do and why. Metheny seems very capable of explaining what he is doing and why he is choosing to do it. I wonder how much of that comes from his formative experiences with Gary Burton, since he apparently had long discussions after gigs with him. By reputation, Burton with something of a demanding bandleader who would ask things like "in the fourth bar of your solo on Falling Grace, you played an E flat. Was that intentional and why did you chose that?"
Those sorts of discussions tend to make me realize why they- and many others- are great musicians and I am not. I just don't think like that. They hear, experience, internalize and think about music very differently than I do. I am delighted when I hear one clear line to play; people like this appear to hear an infinity of lines that could be played.
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Originally Posted by Christian Miller
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How do you fast before an evening gig when you gig maybe 200 days a year? He should weigh about three pounds!
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Originally Posted by paul.trapanese
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Originally Posted by Christian Miller
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Originally Posted by Cunamara
It’s his job. It shouldn’t be surprising for someone who sets out to make a career in jazz playing and composition to be accomplished at his task.
I will admit there is that special something extra in the true artists and geniuses of the world in addition to sweat. Pat seems to have a special affinity not just for the technical parts of music but also “the big picture”—the ability to play with others in a telepathic fashion and to write wonderful melodies that excite the spirit.
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Pat mentioned his chops getting better over time in the video
Remember seeing him give a clinic at UNT in the early 90s which opened my at the time jaded by shredders ears to how good his RH picking technique was. You don’t hear as much of that on the earlier ECM records (not that the playing isn’t great). It seems like he continued to get better - the last two PMG records he absolutely shreds on - Proof would be proof of this
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Originally Posted by Cunamara
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Originally Posted by BWV
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09-02-2021, 09:54 AM #67joelf Guest
My thoughts:
Joel Fass | Facebook
(1st entry)...
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Originally Posted by joelf
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09-02-2021, 11:10 AM #69joelf GuestOriginally Posted by zdub
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09-02-2021, 08:57 PM #70joelf Guest
Thanks!
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I've not watched the video but surely will, Beato is great at this stuff and this will surely be a classic!
Pat is such a genius but one I admire extra b/c of how hard to truly works at it. Like many I prefer his music where I can hear the guitar but he always pushes the boundaries at that is another admirable part of his career for sure!
@BMV I was at that clinic in Denton too! Bruce Hall YO! What I remember most was Pat just plugging straight into a Roland JC-120 and putting a mic on a metronome and then completely sounding like Pat and just shredding (if I recall correctly, its been awhile) All The Things You Are...what a talent! Unreal chops and he surely laid down the gauntlet that day for new players to keep pushing him...again work ethic!
@Fass always good to see you posting and glad you are still out there fighting the good fight!
RF
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Thanks much for posting, Lobomov!
Great to hear a composer/player who can express his ideas so clearly and enthusiastically, and an interviewer who can draw him out so fully.
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More shall be revealed…..
Cory Wong conducts another great Pat interview in a Wong Notes recent podcast:
https://www.premierguitar.com/podcas...y-wong-podcast
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I found the attached private lesson with Pat Metheny on my old pc (no, I am not the student). This looked like a good place to post it.
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I have been listening to a LOT of PM lately, mainly his early- to mid-career stuff, but also his recent recordings. His latest albums are as good as anything he's ever done.
There are few artists out there who have such a distinctive sound, but keep evolving so much over time, without going stale or selling out.
Certainly in terms of large-scale compositions he has come a long way, but those early pieces from PM and BSL are still fresh and incredibly rewarding to listen to.
I was already a fan and had his prior releases, but I remember when Offramp came out ('82 I think). It was quite a revelation for the time--one of the most interesting uses of the Roland guitar synth out there, and still very organic-sounding and listenable. (Unlike some other guitar-synth stuff out there, though I still like Fripp, Belew and Andy Summers' '80's work.)
It's interesting how he takes a technology and masters it and molds it to his ends. It would be like giving JS Bach a synthesizer.
Anyway, thanks for the OP and link. I still haven't listened to it in full, but will find the time someday.Last edited by Doctor Jeff; 05-08-2024 at 01:06 PM.
RIP Nick Gravenites
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