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I just got it today. It is reminiscent of the past but only in a fresh way. I'm really getting into it in a way I haven't in a while.So yeah, first thing in the morning I hit Qobuz and streamed the new Pat Metheny album released today, From This Place. I've already been streaming the pre-release tracks, but today the rest of the album (six remaining tracks out of ten) is available. This is his first full studio release since 2014's Kin (<-->), and the live-in-studio The Unity Sessions from 2016. Which is an uncommonly long stretch between recordings, as he was releasing at least one record per year.
I have to say that Pat's bassist here, Linda May Han Oh, is incredible--she really stands out at the end of "Wide and Far," and has an incredible technique I've never heard on any of Pat's albums in the past. She and Gwilym Simcock (piano) are two young musicians who were part of his Side Eye band, the band being a project where he works with up and coming new artists who were influenced by his music. Gwilym is also a fine player.
As I mentioned earlier, this album has an orchestral backing to it, featuring The Hollywood Studio Symphony (conducted by Joel McNeely). Pat went with this unit since he wanted that cinematic feel to the orchestral parts, and felt this particular unit provided it best. String arrangements on alternating tracks are by Gil Goldsten and Alan Broadbent, with Pat contributing one of his own (on "Everything Explained").
I'll have more impressions once I get the formal review written. One neat hack I have with Roon Player is that I can hide tracks--I've had to do this with the title track, "From This Place," which 1) is a vocal track that I don't care to hear on an instrumental album, and especially 2) due to its political content. (It's not blatant but still, knowing the catalyst behind it, it's nothing I care to hear. There's enough butthurt out there today and I'm not party to any of it.)
I would buy those myself. I also would hope that somehow the analog masters were saved so they'd make for a good LP presentation. If they're cut from digital, they probably wouldn't sound as good.P.S. @Chris May. Please ask Richard to do the same for A Song For You and Horizon. Then CTY if he has time????
And it backed the extended version of "Let's Go Crazy." Killer 12"! The one that took me the longest to find was "Gotta Stop (Messin' About)" as I think I only had the Controversy album at that time, and by then the single was already pretty much sold out everywhere. (It was the B-side to the extended version of "Let's Work.") I also bought the "Little Red Corvette" remix on an import 12" single since it was not released in the US, at least that I could find. Still have the purple vinyl single of "Purple Rain," and that 12" that had the oversized label (I think it was "I Would Die 4 U").Erotic City!!!!! One of the best ever.
Artie Butler, Have You Met Miss Jones? Mmmkay, not too bad and an interesting curiosity, but I won't be listening to this one much. Nothing really grips me here. I can see why it was never reissued. But it was sealed, and a good one to help fill out the A&M/CTi collection.
That's some very Mighty Fine Listening thereWell I doubled down on CTi LPs this evening.
Tamba 4: California Soul
Artie Butler: Miss Jones
Freddie Hubbard: First Light
J&K: Stonebone
Antonio Carlos Jobim: Stone Flower
Antonio Carlos Jobim: Wave
JJ&K: Israel
Milton Nascimento: Courage
I'd keep going once Milton finishes up, but it'll be after 1am.
I admit the Brazillian music is quite infectious as well as addictive sometimesTaking a break from the turntable tonight. It's one of those nights where I'm using Roon to surf around my collection and pick whatever tunes I'm in the mood to play. Kind of lost in the Brazilian tunes tonight...
For sure! I just finished up Bossa Rio's Alegria and am part way into En Español by The Mavericks. Still can't get over what a great album this is--it's a "career" album for the group. And it's a musical tour of Latin America, covering Cuba, Argentina, Mexico, even Italy (the Italian tune "Cuando M'Innamoro" with Spanish lyrics as "Cuando me Enamoro") and France (the tune "Me Olvide de Vivir" originally performed by Julio Iglesias with Spanish lyrics). Anyone familiar with a Baja Marimba record will instantly recognize "Sabor a Mi."I admit the Brazillian music is quite infectious as well as addictive sometimes