Speaking of Now

• Artist: Pat Metheny Group
• Rating:
• Release Date: February 12, 2002
• Type: Instrumental
• Genre: Jazz

Review

Speaking of Now finds guitarist Metheny leading a retooled Pat Metheny Group; in addition to longtime core members, keyboardist Lyle Mays and bassist Steve Rodby, the Group now includes drummer Antonio Sanchez, trumpeter/vocalist Cuong Vu, and Richard Bona, who's best known as a bassist, but who functions primarily as the Group's percussionist/vocalist. The result is an exquisite album that features fresh new musical perspectives while losing none of the Group's familiar wide-ranging, melodic, always accessible sound. Most of the tracks on Speaking of Now were composed by Metheny and his longtime collaborator Mays, although three tracks were composed solely by Metheny. There's a buoyant feel to this album that is not to be confused with lightness. This is complex, intricately detailed music that reveals additional layers with each listening. Metheny seems to delight in discovering the myriad means by which his prodigiously accomplished bandmembers can provide coloration to the compositions, both within the larger group and in solo spotlights. Sanchez's rhythmic agility and sensitivity is featured throughout, particularly on "The Gathering Sky," which begins as a sparkling, piano-led number and then transforms into a grooving band jam. One of the album's many solo highlights comes during "Proof," where Vu turns in a poignantly lyrical trumpet solo that is followed by an electrifying, steadily intensifying solo by Mays. Vocals have long been part of the Metheny Group sound, but now he is utilizing them in new ways; "Another Life" opens with Bona and Vu harmonizing on a chorale that leads into the artist's delicate acoustic guitar work, while Bona provides sweet vocalizing over Metheny's guitar on the beautiful, soaring "You." Every track on Speaking of Now possesses a distinct beauty and eloquence. This is a superb offering that is not to be missed. ~ Lucy Tauss, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
As It Is	Pat Metheny, Lyle Mays	Pat Metheny	(7:42)
Proof	Pat Metheny, Lyle Mays	Pat Metheny	(10:18)
Another Life	Pat Metheny	Pat Metheny	(7:13)
The Gathering Sky	Pat Metheny, Lyle Mays	Pat Metheny	(9:26)
You	Pat Metheny	Pat Metheny	(8:57)
On Her Way	Lyle Mays, Pat Metheny	Pat Metheny	(5:41)
A Place in the World	Lyle Mays, Pat Metheny	Pat Metheny	(9:54)
Afternoon	Pat Metheny	Pat Metheny	(4:45)
Wherever You Go	Lyle Mays, Pat Metheny	Pat Metheny	(8:03)

Credits

Rob Eaton (Digital Editing), Carolyn Chrzan (Guitar Technician), Steve Rodby (Cello), Richard Bona (Fretless Bass), Steve Rodby (Bass (Acoustic)), David Oakes (Technical Coordinator), Pat Metheny (Guitar (Electric)), David Sholemson (Project Coordinator), Richard Bona (Vocals), Rob Eaton (Mixing), Pete Karam (Post Production), Lyle Mays (Piano), Steve Rodby (Producer), Carolyn Chrzan (Technical Assistance), Lyle Mays (Composer), Pat Metheny (Guitar (Synthesizer)), Richard Bona (Guitar (Acoustic)), Lyle Mays (Keyboards), Pat Metheny (Arranger), Pat Metheny (Digital Editing), Tom Sheehan (Technician), David Oakes (Production Assistant), Cuong Vu (Trumpet), Rob Eaton (Recording), Latifa (Photography), Lyle Mays (Producer), Tom Sheehan (Piano Tuner), Rob Eaton (Engineer), David Samuels (Marimba), Pat Metheny (Guitar (Acoustic)), Wally Dunbar (Sheet Music), Doyle Partners (Package Design), David Samuels (Percussion), Steve Rodby (Sheet Music), Andrew Felluss (Assistant Engineer), Steve Rodby (Digital Editing), Pat Metheny (Composer), Pat Metheny (Producer), Lyle Mays (Arranger), Ted Jensen (Mastering), Cuong Vu (Vocals), David Sholemson (Production Coordination), Richard Bona (Percussion), Antonio Sanchéz (Drums)

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