PAT METHENY GROUP: SPEAKING OF NOW

To me this is Metheny's finest album. It's all about well-composed and clear music with a variety of different styles mixed together. The band makes up a truly amazing ensemble. Though being jazz, at places the music gets extremely atmospheric - even to be compared with some symphonic prog greats. The funny thing about this album is that though ther is singing on the album, not a single word is sung. Hope that some listeners can cope with that.

1. As It Is - Considered by many Metheny fans his best piece and it certainly deserves the compliments. It begins with a calm, cool feeling and has a nice chorus. A perfect example of atmosphere is the piano solo section. Metheny's solo is absolutely mindblowing and wait 'til it reaches the climax - you'd soil yourself and feel happy about it. Somewhat dissapointingly the cherry-on-top is served long before you get the cake, but still the album has much to offer after the first track.

2. Proof - This ones is a typical jazz-fusion piece with a fastpaced tempo and long solos for the band...it's more about improvisation than composition...still delivers great atmospheres.

3. Another Life - I love this beautiful piece. I can sense some renaissance influences in the a capella intro and I'm a great admirer of choral music. The same motive also delivers a great culmination later on in the piece. Pat also presents a beautiful acoustic solo.

4. The Gathering Sky - This one's a fun piece with a Mediterranean and bossa feel to it. Later it turns to your average jazz, but it still ain't that average.

5. You - A beautiful ballad where the singer has the main role. After the singer has finished his part the baton is handed over to Metheny.

6. On Her Way - The piece is a nice mixture of different styles like bossa, pop and jazz.

7. A Place in the World - Yet another great example of atmospheres. This one is a crazy piece..the first part delivers instrumental variations on the theme which lead to a atmospheric highpoint in the piece. Most of the following is jazz impro which is followed by the themes from the beginning and some nutty guitar strumming.

8. Afternoon - I could easily consider this my second favourite piece on the album. It's short, it's simple - it's one of those pieces where you just want to chillax under the sun, enjoy a fine drink and listen to the music.

9. Wherever You Go - This is a great jazz piece. I find something monumental about this last piece and it kinda sums up the album because it doesn't present anything completely new, it just serves the main characteristics that have accompanied you through this album.

Anyhow I certainly recommend this to jazz and prog fans who seek a more atmospheric type of experience and the beautiful musical balance of a perfect ensemble. Maybe it isn't the best album to describe progressive rock, it's a masterpiece nevertheless.