'The Way Up' by the Pat Metheny Group, is their most recent since the 2002 'Speaking Of Now', and is basically the same lineup. Fans familiar with the magical ride of ever changing sounds, diverse rhythms, and coordinated melodies, will not be disappointed.

As usual, Metheny charms us with an array of tone--acoustically, electrically, and synthetically. Though I'm not always a fan of synthesized guitar, this master does it tastefully once again. He meshes a six-string horn sound with that of trumpeter, Cuong Vu, in subtle congruence. His partner in perfection, Lyle Mays, adds the usual hodgepodge of passionate, mood-laden keyboard work, in amazing sequence. You'd almost think these two worked from the same brain. Veteran member, bassist Steve Rodby, adds fluent depth and foundation to the whole piece.

Opening the saga is a 5-minute intro that leads into the first of three tracks, a barrage of music over 62 minutes in their entirety. Arrays of percussion, acoustic monotone, urban clamor, and the sound of an automobile horn, lead into the actual composition. The worldly mood has been set.

Antonio Sanchez launches into a rim and bass drum pace. Lyle and Pat promptly swap riffs as the rest of the band joins in, taking the listener on a voyage through a land of modern jazz and post-bop melodies, extremely coordinated and stylish in effect. Each track has scores of ingredients, ever changing in tempo and diverse in atmosphere. All respective band members insert their own style and texture, jamming off in assorted free-jazz direction throughout, though never losing track of fixed melody and composition essentials. The music soars to optimistic heights and descends to stunning depths, hooking the listener with a tasteful barrage of diverse sound and vibrant mood swings. Then, intermittently within each track, the flow is suddenly interrupted—yet the song isn't over. Tasteful acoustic phrases and romantic keyboard expressions seize the next moment and sustain the journey, as the delightful roller coaster ride soars off in additional directions.

This CD is comprehensive and clever. It may take more than a few listens to fully grasp its potential. But it eventually sinks in and becomes a familiar friend.

The Pat Metheny Group triumphs again.

The Pat Metheny Group is:

Pat Metheny: guitars
Lyle Mays: keyboards
Steve Rodby: bass, cello, violin
Antonio Sanchez: drums
David Samuels: percussion
Richard Bona: guitar, percussion, voice
Gregoire Maret: Harmonica
Cuong Vu: trumpet, voice

Track Listing

The Way Up: Opening
The Way Up - Part One
The Way Up - Part Two
The Way Up - Part Three

All compositions: Mays, Metheny

Label

Nonesuch, 2005

Related Links

Pat Metheny Group
Amazon.com