Post by ChrisB on Sept 1, 2021 23:06:05 GMT
Pat Metheny Group - 'First Circle'
‘First Circle’ was released in 1984, and is the band's fourth studio album. Those who like to put music into neat categories place this in the jazz-fusion pigeon hole, but don’t let that put you off.
Guitar player, Pat Metheny had already released a solo album, another collaborative record with keyboard player Lyle Mays (band member on this disc), three more with others and had also appeared as a band member on releases by Gary Burton, Joni Mitchell and Jaco Pastorius.
The ECM label website quotes an Amazon review, which says this:
Although that might be seen as somewhat enthusiastic, there is a lot of truth in there.
The album, track by track.
‘Forward March’ The first track is the low point of the album, unfortunately. It has Lyle Mays on dissonant, out-of-tune trumpet and drums and percussion are played in the style of a bad marching band performing for the dictator of a Central American banana republic. It’s slightly interesting the first time you hear it, but soon begins to be a chore to get through. The band used to use it as an opener at live shows – they played it as they stumbled onstage in a line, a la bad marching band. In that context, it worked well.
‘Yolanda, You Learn’ should have been the opening track and kicks off with superb drive - Synclavier guitar and wordless vocals (no, it’s not scat singing, thank heavens!) It soon builds and creates a fantastic atmosphere.
Our Amazon man has a view on this:
‘The First Circle’ is the high point of the album and has become a firm favourite with the fans at gigs. It starts off with a brief taste of what’s to come, then changes to a quiet guitar piece backed with keyboards and swishing symbols. Then, there’s a terrifically well-judged build-up of musical tension, more of those wordless vocals help create the mood and then it builds some more. It’s a really sumptuous sound, full of texture and richness, the tension breaks and then builds again with a piano adding to the mixture. After about seven minutes, the pressure really starts to build and becomes almost unbearable – I find myself willing the break to arrive and there are one or two moments when you think it’s going to happen, before the crescendo arrives and then it all falls away rather suddenly, giving way to the next track.
Back to that quote on the ECM label website:
‘If I Could’ is the perfect counterpoint to the previous track, as the above blurb points out. They go together perfectly and I see them as a complete piece in themselves. It’s softly played, sparse acoustic guitar over a rich keyboard soundscape. Sad? Relaxing? Contemplative? Post-climactic? You decide.
‘Tell It All’ signifies a big gear change, back up to close to where we were before. It starts with Lyle Mays clanging some gogolo bells (in a tasteful manner, you understand) which leads us into Pat Metheny running up and down the fretboard on an electric guitar which then morphs into him giving forth on the Synclavier. At the three-minute mark, we get the passage that absolutely epitomises Pat Metheny albums for me and is a frequent ear-worm when I’m driving, or in the shower for example.
‘End of the Game’ is not what it says on the tin, as this album has quite a bit more left to give yet. It’s mostly synclavier work but it uses that tension and release trick again to great effect.
‘Más Allá (Beyond)’ starts quietly with a little tinkly piano and a song, with real words this time! Foreign language, though, so don’t get too excited. It’s a moody piece that showcases Pedro Aznar’s voice (he also plays percussion and guitar throughout the album).
‘Praise’ is another track that fits perfectly with the preceding one. I find it really uplifting and it’s a superb ending to a brilliant album.
Our Amazon reviewer says this:
Further listening: Pat Metheny Group - 'Offramp'
‘First Circle’ was released in 1984, and is the band's fourth studio album. Those who like to put music into neat categories place this in the jazz-fusion pigeon hole, but don’t let that put you off.
Guitar player, Pat Metheny had already released a solo album, another collaborative record with keyboard player Lyle Mays (band member on this disc), three more with others and had also appeared as a band member on releases by Gary Burton, Joni Mitchell and Jaco Pastorius.
The ECM label website quotes an Amazon review, which says this:
There are few works of art, music or film out there of which I can honestly say I am simply at a loss for adequate words to describe. “First Circle” is a monumental work full of joyful energy and an indescribably heartfelt melodiousness which a true fan of music can never forget.
The album, track by track.
‘Forward March’ The first track is the low point of the album, unfortunately. It has Lyle Mays on dissonant, out-of-tune trumpet and drums and percussion are played in the style of a bad marching band performing for the dictator of a Central American banana republic. It’s slightly interesting the first time you hear it, but soon begins to be a chore to get through. The band used to use it as an opener at live shows – they played it as they stumbled onstage in a line, a la bad marching band. In that context, it worked well.
‘Yolanda, You Learn’ should have been the opening track and kicks off with superb drive - Synclavier guitar and wordless vocals (no, it’s not scat singing, thank heavens!) It soon builds and creates a fantastic atmosphere.
Our Amazon man has a view on this:
This is Metheny’s first album to utilize vocals so predominately (although he experimented with them on other recordings such as “As Falls Wichita, So Falls Wichita Falls” and “Offramp”). The effect is stunning and the vocals, sung most of the time without words, become another essential ensemble instrument along with piano, synthesizers, guitars, drums and bass.
‘The First Circle’ is the high point of the album and has become a firm favourite with the fans at gigs. It starts off with a brief taste of what’s to come, then changes to a quiet guitar piece backed with keyboards and swishing symbols. Then, there’s a terrifically well-judged build-up of musical tension, more of those wordless vocals help create the mood and then it builds some more. It’s a really sumptuous sound, full of texture and richness, the tension breaks and then builds again with a piano adding to the mixture. After about seven minutes, the pressure really starts to build and becomes almost unbearable – I find myself willing the break to arrive and there are one or two moments when you think it’s going to happen, before the crescendo arrives and then it all falls away rather suddenly, giving way to the next track.
Back to that quote on the ECM label website:
...the title track “The First Circle” is certainly one of the greatest musical compositions and recordings of the past century. The power and passion of this piece, as it progresses gracefully from a series of simple handclaps to its explosive and magical climax, takes one’s heart and soul on an unforgettable flight. Enough said...you simply have to hear this track to believe it. Followed immediately afterwards by a gorgeous guitar and synthesizer ballad “If I Could,” the power of the title song is again multiplied.
‘Tell It All’ signifies a big gear change, back up to close to where we were before. It starts with Lyle Mays clanging some gogolo bells (in a tasteful manner, you understand) which leads us into Pat Metheny running up and down the fretboard on an electric guitar which then morphs into him giving forth on the Synclavier. At the three-minute mark, we get the passage that absolutely epitomises Pat Metheny albums for me and is a frequent ear-worm when I’m driving, or in the shower for example.
‘End of the Game’ is not what it says on the tin, as this album has quite a bit more left to give yet. It’s mostly synclavier work but it uses that tension and release trick again to great effect.
‘Más Allá (Beyond)’ starts quietly with a little tinkly piano and a song, with real words this time! Foreign language, though, so don’t get too excited. It’s a moody piece that showcases Pedro Aznar’s voice (he also plays percussion and guitar throughout the album).
‘Praise’ is another track that fits perfectly with the preceding one. I find it really uplifting and it’s a superb ending to a brilliant album.
Our Amazon reviewer says this:
“Praise” concludes the album with a renewed confidence and exultation. What a pleasure to listen to an artist like Pat Metheny who, at the top of his form, finds excitement in expressing musically the positive aspects of the human experience.
Further listening: Pat Metheny Group - 'Offramp'
, lots of superlatives , well played , composed , sound quality , although it didn't contain any songs I found myself enjoying it as an accompaniment , I didn't switch off like I do with other background music .
