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Pat Metheny Group - Speaking of Now Live Actors: Lyle Mays, Steve Rodby, Pat Metheny Number of Items: 1 Format: Color, DTS Surround Sound, Dolby, Widescreen Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated) Running Time: 100 minutes Studio: Red Distribution, In Product Group: DVD Release Date: 2003-11-18 Buy from Amazon |
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From Amazon.com There's nary a flaw to be found in this lengthy (135 minutes) concert performance by guitarist Pat Metheny and his sextet, recorded in Tokyo in 2002. The musicianship is superb, the material (much of it drawn from the Metheny Group album of the same name) strong, the sound and visuals impeccable, the audience respectful... and therein lies the problem, such as it is. The whole effect is a bit sterile; there's little of the communication between listeners and players that can ignite jazz or rock shows in more intimate, less formal settings. Co-founders Metheny and keyboardist Lyle Mays, longtime bassist/co-producer Steve Rodby, and the three more recent members (multi-instrumentalists Richard Bona and Cuong Vu and drummer Antonio Sanchez) are all brilliant, versatile players. And it's nice to hear their interpretations of Jobim's "How Insensitive" and Metheny's lovely title tune from the film A Map of the World. But unless you get off on seeing a lot of close-ups of Metheny's facial contortions, listening to the PMG's recordings should suffice. --Sam Graham |
 "Speaking of Now is a sure buy for jazz fans."The DVD Speaking of Now including featuring the Pat Metheny Group is phenomonal. It seems to cover most if not all of the bases of a solid contemporary jazz set. Love it. If you're thinking about buying just do it; it's worth it. "don't let amazon's editorial put you off!"Shame on you guys at amazon...whoever wrote the editorial, anyway. The last sentence, in reference to Metheny's facial "contortions" discouraged me for a couple of months from buying this gem...then, after reading enough stellar "amateur" reviews to the contrary, I picked it up locally. WOW. The last jazz DVD to blow me away like this was Jean-Luc Ponty's "In Concert". The production and performance are phenomenal on "Speaking of Now Live"...Ironically, the previous Japan DVD "We Live Here" features far more close-ups of Pat Metheny's facial expressions than this new effort. I see a virtuoso guitarist in sheer rapture as his fingers blaze across the fretboard! Pat Metheny's band, regardless of incarnation, remains the eighth wonder of the modern world. This level of musicianship simply beggars description. If you're pondering whether or not you need "yet another Pat Metheny DVD", I heartily recommend this extravaganza. There is so much information coming at you for over two hours that you can't digest it all at once! WHERE does he find these players?? During the last number, the percussionist dons a bass and is suddenly flying all over it, simultaneously scat-singing! It's truly a shame that the average person gets no more exposure to this incredible music than as elevator music during the Weather Channel's "Local on the Eights" (!) Check this one out, folks. "Simply Beautiful "Beautifully composed, beautifully performed and beautifully shot. This leaves me speechless. All you need is a glass of wine and your evening couldn't be better. All the musicians perform at their best. The audience is respectful. You can't ask for more. "SPEAKING OF SPEAKING OF NOW LIVE!"I FIRST WATCHED THIS INCREDIBLE GROUP OF MUSICIANS I BELIEVE ON AUSTIN CITY LIMITS AND WAS TOTALLY TAKEN IN BY THE MAGIC THESE GUYS PERFORM ALONG WITH VERY, VERY GOOD CAMERA WORK WHICH COMPLIMENTED THEIR EVERY MOVE. PAT'S FASCIALS ARE CAPTURED INTENSLY AS WELL AS ALL OF THE MUSICIANS PERFECTIONISM.. THE PERFORMANCE IS FLAWLESS AND YOU WILL FIND YOURSELF FEELING AS IF "YOU ARE HERE". BRAVO!! BOBBY GEE, FLORIDA NCPD2@MSN.COM "An intimate look at the genius of Pat and Lyle"I've been attending Pat Metheney Group concerts since 1980. My first was at the Santa Cruz Auditorium and I was awe struck by the guitar soloing techiques of Pat Metheney. As I became more familiar with the music of Pat and Lyle through their Cd's, I find it to be a transcending experience to see them live. No conceert I have been to can comare to a Pat Metheney Group concert. This DVD," Speaking of Live Now", clearly reflects the genius of the collaboration between Pat and Lyle and their ablility to continually change, not only musically, but discovering new, fresh talent; like Antonio Sanchez on drums and Wong Vu on trumpet and percussion. Make sure you have some good speakers for this one. You're going to want to hear every chord voicing and subtle nuance of sound from each and every one of these incredible musicians. Enjoy! |
