Whatever it lacks technically, it more than makes up in hear
Olukayode Balogun | Leeds, England | 02/21/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Pedro Aznar first came to my attention when he appeared on the 1984 Pat Metheny Group album First Circle. He appeared on one or two subsequent PMG albums and even went on the road with the group. He's on the live album The Road to You: Recorded Live in Europe, for instance. I figured he'd have a solo project out there somewhere and after some searching, I came across this one. I've been keen to get my hands on it for some time.
It doesn't disappoint. Aznar brings the same emotion and passion to songs on here that he displayed on PMG tunes like the title tune on "First Circle", "Slip Away" (on Letter from Home), "Dream Of The Return" (also on "Letter from Home") and "Más Aliá (Beyond)" (also on "First Circle") - Metheny tunes he either just performed on or wrote the lyrics to and performed - or even "Vidala" (again, on "Letter from Home"), which he both wrote and performed. It's restrained emotion and passion - he's not screaming or riffing all over the place - but it's very much there.
He plays all the instruments on here except for the percussion on "Candombegle", played by Osvaldo Fattoruso and Cymbals on "Para acunar a Leila" ("Lullaby for Leila") and "A la hora que se duermen los trenes" ("By the time trains fall asleep"), played by Pomo. As one might expect, Pat Metheny and Dan Gottlieb appear on guitar and bass respectively on "Verano en Nueva Inglaterra" ("Summer in New England") and "23". Lyle Mays plays piano on "23", the only tune he appears on but Aznar plays piano so impressively well, (check out his solo on "Lullaby for Leila") it's almost like Mays is not really needed - and I never thought I'd ever say that. Aznar also produced the album.
Although this CD is a 1998 release, parts of the album were actually first recorded between 1982 and 1984, even before "First Circle" came out. Consequently, the album does have a slightly dated feel to it, especially (to me) in the places where PMG members contribute. The end result is not half as finessed or fine-tuned as a PMG recording would be (even back in 1982) but I can look beyond that. What the recording may lack in technical superiority, it more than makes up in heart. My favourite tunes are "Lullaby for Leila", "23", "Al dolor de mi gente" ("To my people's pain") and "By the time trains fall asleep". Aznar sings in Spanish throughout, though English translations of the lyrics are provided in the inner-sleeve notes. Personally, I don't particularly care to know what he's singing about. The emotion he conveys through his voice and his music is what works for me. I will definitely be looking out for more of his work."
Very disappointing
John M. Gardner | davis, ca United States | 10/09/2006
(2 out of 5 stars)
"Pedro Aznar did some incredibly great vocal work with Pat Metheny between approx. 1985-95. Great talent with a unique alto tenor voice. He also plays guitar, and returning to Argentina i expected a superior album given his background.
However, first, the album suffers from terrible sound engineering, and secondly the percussion was frankly a little bizarre. Pedro's guitar was drowned out, and his voice was not the one that graced the albums from PMG.
He can do ALOT better! Sorry to be so critical..............."
Track Listings (7) - Disc #1