Jazz Archives

Arranger Bob Curnow transcribed a dozen compositions by Pat Metheny and/or Lyle Mays (originally recorded by the Pat Metheny Group) and adapted them for his Stan Kenton-influenced big band. The instrumentation differs drastically from Metheny's quartet and some of the pieces were originally very electric, but somehow these new renditions make the songs sound as if they were originally designed for this orchestra. The 20-piece big band is full of some of the cream of L.A.'s jazz scene and includes such soloists as trombonists Andy Martin and Rick Culver; saxophonists Bob Sheppard, Rob Lockart, and Danny House; pianist Bill Cunliffe; and a mighty trumpet section. This is an unusual concept that somehow works perfectly and with surprising logic.

:::Review by Scott Yanow:::

Bob Curnow's L.A. Big Band - The Music of Pat Metheny & Lyle Mays (1994)

01. It's Just Talk (7.24)
02. Always and Forever (5.23)
03. The First Circle (8.51)
04. Letter from Home (2.49)
05. Are We There Yet (4.50)
06. If I Could (8.39)
07. See The World (4.33)
08. Minuano (Six Eight) (8.07)
09. Dream Of The Return (5.21)
10. Every Summer Night (7.02)
11. In Her Family (3.20)
12. Have You Heard (7.06)

Credits
Andy Martin - Trombone, Soloist
Lyle Mays - Composer
Tom Peterson - Clarinet, Soloist, Sax (Baritone), Clarinet (Bass), Flute
Jerry Pinter - Clarinet, Sax (Tenor), Flute
Don Rader - Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Soloist
Ron Stout - Trumpet, Soloist, Flugelhorn
Paul Viapiano - Guitar, Soloist
Tom Warrington - Bass
Wayne Bergeron - Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Soloist
Chuck Hughes - Trombone, Soloist
Bob Curnow - Arranger, Conductor, Liner Notes, Producer
Rick Culver - Trombone, Soloist
Bill Cunliffe - Piano, Soloist
Steve Houghton - Drums, Soloist
Danny House - Clarinet, Soloist, Flute, Sax (Alto)
Dana Hughes - Trombone (Bass)
Alexander Iles - Trombone
Brian Kilgore - Percussion, Soloist
Rob Lockart - Clarinet, Soloist, Flute, Sax (Tenor)
Buddy Childers - Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Photography
Bob Sheppard - Clarinet, Flute, Sax (Alto), Sax (Soprano), Soloist
Bobby Shew - Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Soloist

Pat's most audacious work yet: a near-70-minute piece filled with everything we love and then some, even making ample use of his 42-string guitar. This album is dazzling, filled with complex arrangements, soothing interludes, stimulating grooves and truly never gets dull; it also never goes astray from the general theme of the album, with an ever-present aura about it, keeping in Metheny's traditional jazz sound that is still instantly recognizible and the recurring themes. Here we also have the introduction of a harmonicat. The harmonica parts are quite pleasent, and many will find this implimentation of jazz harmonica pretty fresh. All the players are spot on. It is very expressionistic and colorful. Metheny and Mays' cylinders were certainly all being fired with the writing and recording of this masterpiece. It may very well be what they've been trying to accomplish all these years, and if I'm not mitaken, their finest hour yet! Metheny's already got plenty to boast in his catalog, but none like this one.
Despite it's length, it really is a pleasant listen. The easiest a tough listen can be. It's just so relaxing and warm, you can't help but keep it going.
This disc has been in my car for over a year at this point, and it has not yet left once!

:::Review by Moatilliatta:::

Pat Metheny - The Way Up (2006)

1. The Way Up: Opening (5:17)
2. The Way Up: Part One (26:27)
3. The Way Up: Part Two (20:29)
4. The Way Up: Part Three (15:54)

Credits
- Pat Metheny / acoustic guitar, electric guitar, synthesizer guitar
- Lyle Mays / piano, keyboards
- Steve Rodby / bass, cello
- Chong Vu / trumpet, voice
- Gregoire Maret / harmonica
- Antonio Sanchez / drums
- Richard Bona / percussion, voice
- David Samuels / percussion