| Think "Pat Metheny trio record" and you'll probably recall his groundbreaking
Bright Size Life or the more abstract Rejoicing (with Charlie Haden and
Billy Higgins) or even Question and Answer (Dave Holland, Roy Haynes).
Well, keep thinking. Trio 99-00 is the popular guitarist-composer's most
straight-ahead, no-muss, no-fuss recording yet. Recorded over two days
with the remarkable team of drummer Bill Stewart and bassist Larry Grenadier,
Trio 99-00 covers much compositional and stylistic ground but is essentially
a hard-bop-tinged blowing session. Metheny's Sonny Rollins-ish originals
include "(Go) Get It," "Soul Cowboy" (featuring amazing chordal guitar),
"What Do You Want?" and a blazing trio variation on "Lone Jack," which
appeared on the first Pat Metheny Group album. Unusual choices are made
throughout: a sensually swinging "Giant Steps," an elegant "A Lot of Livin'
to Do," and inclusion of Wayne Shorter's queasy gem, "Capricorn." And
as always, Pat can't help but get sentimental on acoustic guitar, culminating
in the first studio rendition of "Travels." This isn't for the faint-hearted,
nor those waiting for another PMG travelogue like We Live Here or Letter
from Home. This is pure jazz slam, a trio showdown with the gloves off.
|
