Pat Metheny debuts on the WSVNRadio website this week, along with
keyboardist Lyle Mays and their 1981 release, As Falls Wichita, So Falls
Wichita Falls. My first introduction to Pat Metheny was from the Timothy
Hutton/Sean Penn movie, The Falcon & The Snowman." "This Is Not
America" was one of the songs in that movie, as Pat Metheny provided the
music, and David Bowie sang the lyrics. Metheny's music is the style of New
Age Jazz, and as well as others like him, broadened my horizons on Jazz
music in general, as most are familar with the big band jazz of the 1940s.
New Age Jazz brings a whole new perspective to the standard Jazz, and hearing
such artists as Metheny, it interests the music fan, wanting to hear more of
this kind of music.
The title track is a 20-minute masterpiece. Featuring the comfortable,
peaceful New Age sound, mixed with a mysterious dose of music best used for
soundtracks, and even a touch of Progressive Rock, this song travels into the
mind with many discoveries, enjoying the captivating sounds and musical styles
within. "Ozark" showcases the piano works of Lyle Mays, as this song
combines the likes of ragtime and upbeat classical music into a wonderful
contemporary jazz song for any music fan to enjoy. Somehow this song could
easily fit the soundtrack to the many Charlie Brown television specials.
Simply beautiful and romantic best describes the easy listening
"September Fifteenth," dedicated to jazz great Bill Evans. Metheny's
simple guitar and Mays' pure piano sounds so sweet, as it blends with the rest
of the musical ensemble. Another wonderful and exceptional song is "It's
For You," having a beautiful New Age Jazz sound that easily fits the
standard New Age radio station formats. "Estrupenda Graca" is a short
song, having some vocals (where all of the previous songs before were
instrumentals). A pleasant song, yet you wish it was longer.
Almost every song is quite lengthy. The title track is 20 minutes, where
others are at an average of 7 to 8 minutes. The songs with these long lengths
are the standouts on As Falls Wichita, So Falls Wichita Falls. Pat
Metheny's guitar and Lyle Mays' keyboard works are a class-act combination.
This album is a good introduction to New Age Jazz for those who aren't really
familar with that particular style of music. And, after hearing this release,
you'll want to play it again, likewise discover other albums by Metheny.
The Complete WSVNRadio.net Album Archive History List
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