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Pat Metheny - Pat Metheny Group: Still Life (Talking) CD (album) cover

PAT METHENY GROUP: STILL LIFE (TALKING)

Pat Metheny

 

Jazz Rock/Fusion

3.98 | 119 ratings

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Rune2000
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
4 stars This was the second of the two Pat Metheny Group records that I received on my 11th birthday. The ordeal I'm referring to was described in my review of Pat Metheny Group's debut album that I suggest you read up on before taking on Still Life (Talking).

Just like the debut album this is another set of soft and smooth jazz music performances but as the album cover suggests there is a slightly new twist to it all. I'm talking about the Indian chant-styled vocals and although, after reading a few of the other reviews, it seems that the style was already introduced on the group's 1984 release First Circle I've never heard that album so I just have to take their word for it.

Minuano (Six Eight) kicks-off the album with an unexpected almost Supper's Ready-like acoustic intro but the tone shifts with the introduction of chanting vocals and the piece goes into the more familiar light Jazz Rock style that's expected from Pat Metheny Group. I really like how the tension slowly builds up until it converts into the jazz-sounding guitar performance from Pat Metheny.

So May It Secretly Begin is more of a traditional Jazz Rock composition with some really gorgeous melodies. Still it is Last Train Home that has always grabbed my attention and gave me strong feelings of nostalgia every time I've listened to it over the years. The whole piece makes me think of a long journey by train and I always think of this composition when I return from a trip. Lately my transport of choice has been the plane but even then, every time the plane lands, I hear this distinct composition in my head as if it says welcome home! The instrumentation arrangement features a train-sounding drumbeat with smooth and almost minimalistic guitar interplay.

After another two up-beat instrumentals the album finally gives us two mellower moments right towards the end. Distance is an almost ambient like compositions that serves as an introduction to In Her Family. This is another semi-nostalgic performance that brings on some really fond memories. It ends on a strong almost epic melodic climax and then fades away towards the end. The whole performance sounds almost like a Tony Banks composition which makes it my second reference to Genesis in this review!

Just like the Pat Metheny Group debut album, I'm really not sure how I would feel have I heard this release for the first time today. There's just so much nostalgia embedded into these compositions for me that I honestly can't be critical about it all. As I said previously, it might not be one of the most advanced or adventurous Jazz Rock-recordings but it's definitely has its heart in the right place which makes it into one of the most atmospheric and joyful releases out there!

***** star songs: Last Train Home (5:41)

**** star songs: Minuano (Six Eight) (9:27) So May It Secretly Begin (6:26) (It's Just) Talk (6:17) Third Wind (8:37) Distance (2:45) In Her Family (3:18)

Rune2000 | 4/5 |

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