Pat Metheny Speaking Of Now CD

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 not the normal Pat Methany
Not a classic Pat Methany, I regret That I bought this CD
Submitted by a reviewer (the Netherlands) 
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 Speaking of Now . . . and then.
The PMG continues to remind us of the style that brought them to where they are today. Every band has its own musical signature that reminds us who we are listening to. Every PMG recording has the musical colors and melodic/harmonic flavors that we have come to associate with them. But, with each new offering, they take us in a different direction with that material. Maybe by way of a different rhythm or with new orchestrations, as on this CD with the addition of Richard Bona's vocals/percussion, Cuong Vu's trumpet/vocals and Antonio Sanchez's drums. There's always something there to remind us it's the PMG, but they keep doing it differently enough to keep it interesting.
Submitted by a reviewer (Dallas, TX - USA) 
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 No new ground broken for Pat
I am a bonafide Pat Metheny fan. I have over 30 CDs by him (Group, solo, and sideman). I have seen him live over a dozen or two times (I've lost count) since the beginning of his career (about 1977). I've met him personally 3 or 4 times; since I was a part-time DJ at the old WHFS in Bethesda, MD (also at WGTB in Washington, DC). He is a first-rate musician and a first-class gentlemen to boot. That said, it pains me to write that, after listening to "Speaking of Now" (SoN) over half a dozen times, I am disappointed. For anyone else, this would be a 4 or even 5 star album/CD. But, after "Still Life/Talking" and "Letter from Home", Pat's not breaking any new ground. His "Trios" series is much better in that regard. "Son" is pleasant enough to listen to, but something's missing (for me anyway). I always expect something slightly new from Pat, but there was anything new on this CD. There are a couple of nice melodies (tracks 1 and 8), and some nice "chops" by Lyle, but nothing else memorable. I'm still going to see him live as he is always superb in concert.
Submitted by Jeff_Cantor_99 (Brooklyn, NY, USA) 
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 Sounds Familiar
The music on 'Speaking of Now' is much like the graphics on the tray-card insert. It's a patchwork quilt made of scraps and pieces from Metheny's considerable musical legacy. Each patch seems familiar and comforting. 'Speaking of Now' is full of deja vu melodic phrases, recognizable rhythmic grooves and pat instrument voicings. The musical patches have been shuffled and reassembled. Abracadabra! Is it new? Or old? Metheny's detractors will say it's a rehash and shred it to pieces. Dyed-in-the-wool Metheny fans will say it really really is new. They'll wrap it like a shawl around their shoulders.
Submitted by a reviewer (Meriden, CT) 
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 What Music!!
This is definitely one of the best PMG release of all times and one of the best Jazz cds. 'Another Life' has good stuff by Lyle Mays and Bona; 'The Gathering Sky' has great twists and turns with an amazing piece by Sanchez!; 'You' is my favourite.. it has a touching rythm and Bona has done great. What great musical progression and nice ending chords by Pat!!
Submitted by roshan.psed (India)
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