From: canderso@nyx.cs.du.edu (Chuck Anderson)
Subject: Review: Pat Metheny "Secret Story" Tour in Denver
Organization: Center for Life Fulfillment
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 92 00:57:51 GMT

I went to the Pat Metheny "Secret Story" concert on the evening of September
29th at the Paramount theatre in Denver.  I was a little  hesitant to go.
I've been going to Pat Metheny concerts consistently since about 1980 and
I was afraid that this would be the burn out concert.  The "one too many."
It was obvious that Lyle Mays wouldn't be there and I suspected that Paul
Wertico and Steve Rodby would be absent as well.

I was not let down in the slightest.  In fact, I was as awestruck as I was the
first time I heard Pat perform songs like "Off Ramp," "Are You Going With Me"
or "Farmer's Trust."  From raucous to heavenly and everything in between.
This concert is a must see for Metheny fans or anyone with an appreciation for
excellent music and excellent musicianship.

"Secret Story" is somehat of a change for Pat.  All of the familiar Brazilian
rhythms and vocals are there, the guitar styles have been used before, but Pat
uses a variety of different musicians and some new sounds (The Cambodian
Choir), even orchestral accompaniment on every piece.  Lyle is here and there,
Nana Vasconcelos plays here and there, and Steve Rodby and Paul Wertico as
well as other regulars also appear.  But there are a slew of others including
Toots Thielman, Charlie Haden, and Pat's brother Mike.

It seemed like a rather ambitious selection of material to try and tour with.
Pat mentioned this himself during one of his few breaks.

The material was obviously not too much for a pro like Pat Metheney.  He
assembled a remarkable group of musicians.  The production bordered on
perfection.  It was the most interesting and innovative stage lighting I've
ever seen Metheny use. The musicians were flawless and you could hear the
improvisational changes taking place as the Pat Metheny Band has always
done with their material.

Steve Rodby (bass) and Paul Wertico (drum "kit") were there.  In addition,
some Metheny regulars; Armando Marcal on percussion, and Mark Ledford and
David Blamires on vocals, horns, vibes, pipe, percussion and whatever was
needed (wow!).  There were three newcomers; Gil Goldstein on accordion, keys
and piano, James Beard on acoustic piano and keyboards, and Torsten de Winkel
(from Norway) on second guitar.

They played the entire album (I think - minus the orchestral piece, "Not To Be
Forgotten - Our Final Hour"), the regular crowd pleasers, ("Are You Going With
Me," and "The Last Train Home") a couple from "Still Life Talking" (I think),
and a new tune.  Metheny has always had new material when I see him.

Including the single encore, they were on stage for nearly two and a half
hours.  There were amazing solos. The Wertico/Marcal percussion/drum "duet" is
heart stopping.  Mark Ledford and David Blamires delivered amazing vocals and
horns.  Their vibe solo was typical Metheny band; short exciting and and to
the point, not dragged out.  Oh yeah, Pat took a solo now and then, too :-)

I hope I don't just sound like "a fan" raving about his favorite guitar
player. I truly expected to be bored by this show.  The last time I saw
Metheny was three years ago in a large outdoor venue (Fiddler's Green) that
was far from sold out.  I thought that was the last time I'd enjoy seeing
him.  Well, I was wrong.  Pat has moved up a notch.  He has pushed through the
envelope and is into new ground.  I have never seen or heard of a band like
this before.  It's like a modern jazz orchestra using many innovative and
classic jazz styles.  Pat always seems to come through with innovation just
when it is needed (i.e., the synth-guitar trumpet sound in "Off Ramp," for
example), and I think that's exactly what he has done here.

The CD did not impress me as much as the live show.  That was part of my
hesitancy with going.  In fact, I went without a ticket hoping to buy one
outside (I managed to get a pretty nice balcony seat).  Now the CD serves as a
trigger for the memories of an unforgettable performance.  SEE IT.

BTW: The Paramount is a great venue.  It's an old theater, not too big, with
nice soft seats and drinks sold in the lobby.  I hate the grandiose venues.
The Paramount is just about right.  There are some bad seats near the back,
but the majority of the seating is good.  The crowd was well behaved for this
concert, too.  During "Tell Her You Saw Me," with Pat sitting at the foot of
the stage playing very tenderly, you could have heard a pin drop.

They only allowed seating in between selections.  This was a good idea as
the bar is open all during the concert and people get up to buy a drink (or
2...or 3) and then come back in.  This made me miss the first song, so I don't 
know how they reproduced the Cambodian Choir.  I guess they were digitized 
and on somebody's sampler?

--
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     Chuck Anderson                uucp    :         uunet!nyx!canderso
     Boulder, Co. (303) 494-6278   internet:         canderso@nyx.cs.du.edu
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Newsgroups: rec.music.bluenote