Search - Pat Metheny :: New Chautauqua

The Great Explorer

W. Noshie | Beirut, Lebanon | 01/09/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Pat Metheny begins exploring new music routes from almost his very first release. New Chautauqua is the perfect example.

Metheny is all alone on this album, overdubbing himself on 6 and 12 strings, Acoustic and Electric guitars, Bass and 15 stings harp guitar.

The ensemble is difficult to classify in any music category, since it is a mixture of Folk, new age and Jazz.

Released in 1978, it is still very fresh, relaxing and pleasant to hear today.

"New Chautauqua" is a must own for every Pat Metheny fan; whether you are into Jazz, new age or Folk, as long as you love the sound of the guitar; you will extremely enjoy this album.

I personally rank "New Chautauqua" as one of my favorite Pat Metheny's albums.

"

Mellow Metheny

R. Legare | Calgary, Alberta, Canada | 01/12/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"A very mellow, enjoyable Metheny offering. Something I like to listen to on a Saturday morning, with my coffee and paper or play while I'm driving. It's essentially Pat by himself, acoustic and electric guitar and bass that he layers over each other. It's very melodic and a bit sparse if you're used to him having Lyle Mays and a full band backing him up. "New Chatuaqua" and "Sueno Con Mexico" are two of my absolute favourites.



I think that non-Metheny fans would enjoy this album."

Endlessly melodic music

K. Swanson | Austin, TX United States | 11/16/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've heard almost all of Metheny's recordings, and this is one I've always kept coming back to, along with Bright Size Life and Missouri Sky. New Chautauqua is pure Metheny; he wrote and played every note, and it shows how amazingly musical and melodic he is. It also features his deft touch with arpeggiated triads, creating a sunny underpinning of sweet sound upon which he weaves his melodic arabesques. This is mellow jazz made before smooothjazzz was a concept, but it has the harmonic lushness and melodic inventiveness that genre usually lacks.



This album has enhanced many long cross-country drives and makes a perfect soundtrack as nature's beauty flows by. I also love it while backpacking alone in the high wilderness, and whenever a sunny day needs a little extra touch of happy glory.



This is hopeful, joyous music, and highlights the unique optimism of Pat's musical mind. Not afraid to play a pure melody and make it as sweet as possible, he has earned the scorn of many jazz "purists" (or "wankers"). Just because a dissonant note isn't present every bar doesn't make it not jazz; it can simply be beautiful music, free of boundaries.



Highly recommended if you like music that makes you happy to be alive.

"