WATERCOLORS

'Watercolours' was released in 1977 and was Pat Metheny's second solo record and at the same time the beginning of the Pat Metheny Group ( bassplayer Mark Egan is still missing) and here the bass is played by ECM labelmate Eberhard Weber.The record consists of mainly athmospheric tracks plus some of the country influenced Metheny songs that would make his fame. What comes to my mind : Painting with notes.

The title track is already one of these immeadiately recognizable medium tempo, country influenced songs with the typical Pat metheny harmonic structure. One feels that Metheny has played trumpet before the guitar, his melody lines are very strong. After the exposition of the theme Metheny a takes a solo followed by a piano solo and a last re-expostion of the theme.

'Icefire' is an athmospheric track for solo harp-guitar, where Metheny's use of harmonics gives an extra eary feeling and 'Oasis' is another athmospheric track for acoustic guitar and bass. Weber plays bowed bass in a high register, producing a beautiful synth like texture, over which Metheny plays arpeggios.

'Lakes ' introduces a nice country motive on the guitar, a tricky rhythm track and a fine piano solo from Lyle Mays.

' River Quay' is a Pop/Soul song with Metheny's singing guitar replacing the vocals, maybe the only song which is a little too pleasant, but an interesting piano solo saves the day.

The next two tracks form a small suite, the first part a race for guitar and drum and the second part an acoustic guitar solo with an a beautiful bossa influenced theme.

The last track 'Sea Song' again an athmospheric track is introduced by piano, guitar and cymbal brushes until Eberhard Weber joins on Bowed bass delivereing a beautiful pattern over which Metheny soloes.

A beautiful record announcing already the PMG.