Search - Marc Johnson, Pat Metheny, Bill Frisell :: Sound of Summer Running

Marc Johnson rules!

Olukayode Balogun | Leeds, England | 05/27/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I had no idea who bassist Marc Johnson was before I bought this beautiful 1998 release. The first thing that caught my attention was the picture of the little girl on the CD cover. The sky was so blue, and she looked so happy and carefree that I was just drawn - and not in a sinister way, mind you. It's just that somehow in my mind, I thought that if this CD could make me feel as happy and carefree as she looked, I wanted it.



The second thing that caught my eye (and clinched the deal) was the clear sticker on the front of the CD which told me that Pat Metheny was on it. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Pat doesn't just play with anyone and I knew even without listening to it, that this was an album I would love. Well, that was eight years ago and this is still one of my favourite CDs ever.



I didn't know who Bill Frisell was either at that time but since buying this, I've become a huge fan of both Johnson and Frisell, who by the way gives one of the most exciting performances on this album that I've heard from him yet. I say it with the utmost respect, both to him and any other guitarists he's played with but I believe that with Metheny playing alongside him, Frisell simply had to raise his game to the utmost. And he truly does.



Joey Baron's drumming is incredible and right from the opener, "Faith In You", all participants let us know what we're in for: An hour or so of pure enjoyment. Johnson pens all the songs except for Bill Frisell's "Ghost Town"; a really good version of the tune he used to title his excellent CD of the same name in 2000 (another one I never got round to reviewing) and "The Adventures of Max and Ben". "In a Quiet Place" was written by Johnson and Eliane Elias and the beautiful closer, "For a Thousand Years", was written by Metheny.



Bill Frisell plays electric and acoustic guitars, Pat Metheny plays electric guitar, acoustic guitar and 42-string pikasso guitar, and Joey Baron plays drums and tambourine. Produced by the seemingly omniscient Lee Townsend, this excellent CD is truly the Sound of Summer Running. I love all the songs but the opener and closer are still firm favourites.



PS: If you'd like to try something a little more adventurous from Marc Johnson, a little more left of centre, I highly recommend two other CDs by him that I own. (Again, these are CDs I never got round to reviewing). The first is 1896's Bass Desires and the second is 1987's Second Sight. Both are on ECM and both feature Bill Frisell and my other hero John Scofield on guitar, with the phenomenal Peter Erskine on drums.



My favourite tunes on the former include the crazy fun "Samurai Hee-Haw", the John Coltrane tune "Resolution" and a cover of John Scofield's "Thanks Again". On the latter, I say look out for the Bill Frisell tune, "Small Hands", Peter Erskine's "Sweet Soul" and John Scofield's "Twister". Both CDs are a guitar scream fest and I mean that in the best possible way.

"

A very likeable collaboration of incredible musicians

Martin Brunelle | Trinidad, Ca. USA | 01/16/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"There are some really cool tracks on this album. (Listen to track #1 and #3)The album as a whole is quite tame for two potentialy wild guitarists (Pat Metheny and Bill Frissel). But that's what I like about it. It's mellow and enjoyable while at the same time being perhaps a little quirky (which should be expected from Bill Frissel). If you're a Metheny or Frissel fan than I recommend this CD for your collection. You won't be dissapointed. However, If you want to hear some exciting bass playing from Marc Johnson than there's nothing here for you."