PAT METHENY, DAVE HOLLAND & ROY HAYNES: QUESTION AND ANSWER

Since this is my first Pat Metheny album review, let me make this disclaimer: I am not a fan of most of his material. He has made a few interesting albums, most notably As Falls Wichita, So Falls Wichita Falls, but most of what I've heard (or seen, since he originated from Boston, I've been to a few of his earlier concerts), is light jazz drivel. And because of his popularity, once at a level unusual for a jazz musician, empty headed record company executives at one point forced many of their talented guitarists to imitate his style.

Ok, now that I've gotten that off my chest...

This album is much more of a traditional jazz album than the majority of what I've heard from Metheny. While there is a slight bit of fusion (light), the bulk of this recording is more like a Wes Montgomery album than a John McLaughlin. And while the performances are exceptional, and sometimes very fast, the tone of the entire album is quite soft. The album is a great example of background music for an upscale cocktail party. Despite the talent shown by Metheny and Roy Haynes, the music never rises above that level. Even during a fine drum solo.