Pat Metheny Letter From Home CD

Picking up where Still Life (Talking) leaves off (instead of throwing listeners a curve ball like Song X), the equally triumphant Letter from Home stresses Brazilian elements with superb results. While a number of these treasures -- including "Beat 70," "Have You Heard," and "Every Summer Night" -- are light and accessible enough to have enjoyed exposure on some smooth jazz stations, Letter contains the type of depth and honesty that's sorely lacking in most smooth jazz. Metheny has always known the difference between light and lightweight, and even at his most delicate, he avoids entering "Muzak" territory. True to form, the improviser doesn't shy away from making extensive use of technology, but is insightful enough to do so in a very warm and soulful fashion. Like Still Life, Letter from Home is a fine example of a CD that is both a commercial and an artistic success. ~ Alex Henderson

Recorded at The Power Station, New York, New York in 1989.

Pat Metheny Group: Pedro Aznar (vocals, acoustic guitar, charango, panpipes, melodica, tenor saxophone, marimba, percussion); Pat Metheny (soprano, guitars, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, 12-string guitar, tiple, guitar synthesizer); Lyle Mays (accordion, trumpet, piano, organ, keyboards, Synclavier); Steve Rodby (acoustic bass, electric bass); Paul Wertico (drums, percussion); Armando Marcal (percussion).

Pat Metheny Group includes: Pat Metheny (acoustic & electric guitars, Synclavier, synthesizer); Pedro Aznar (vocals, tenor saxophone, pipes, melodica, vibraphone, marimba, acoustic guitar, charango, percussion); Lyle Mays (trumpet, piano, organ, keyboards, Synclavier); Steve Rodby (acoustic & electric basses); Paul Wertico (drums, percussion); Armando Marcal (percussion).

Down Beat (10/89, p.29) - 4 Stars - Very Good - "...one of the most pleasing Group albums....Metheny, for the most part back to his signature electric guitar sound, seems intent on connecting here, and he does..."