Search - Pat Metheny :: Rejoicing

Perfect trio!

Olukayode Balogun | Leeds, England | 05/05/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This 1984 ECM recording is, to me, is a perfect example of how the guitar/bass/drum trio should work. Produced by Manfred Eicher, Charlie Haden and Billy Higgins' rhythm section is both solid and solidly behind Pat Metheny's guitar playing.



When I bought it a few years back, after a couple of listens, I was struck by how I responded to Metheny's different forms of guitar work. My response to his acoustic playing was purely emotional, whilst my response to his electric playing was intellectual. I still haven't figured out why that is. Needless to say, I enjoy both immensely, just differently and on "Story From A Stranger", he adds in a dose of his guitar synth. It doesn't work for me everywhere he uses it but this is one of the places it works very well indeed.



The CD seems to be some kind of homage; three of the eight songs are by Ornette Coleman and the opener is by Horace Silver. Charlie Haden writes one, Pat Metheny writes two and the final tune is written by both Haden and Metheny.



I like all the songs. Well, almost. I've tried hard but I just don't get "The Calling". I guess it's one of those songs that is said to be for a 'specialist' audience. I usually just press the fast forward button - the only Pat Metheny song ever, to make me do that.



Nevertheless, I still consider it a five star CD. I think it's absolutely brilliant.

"