The Pat Metheny Group - Speaking Of Now Live [DVD] [2009]

I was lucky enough to catch one of the live shows last year from the "Speaking of Now" tour which was one of the best Pat Metheny Group performances I have seen. This DVD contains all of the ingredients that make a superb live music DVD: well directed, great musicianship, brilliant compositions and it sounds wonderful. I was relieved to see that Steve Rodby didn't direct this one, which was the downfall of the last DVD "Imaginary Day". Instead, Takayuki Watanabe does a marvellous job of bringing the PMG to DVD. The band is comprised of the usual nucleus of Pat Metheny, Lyle Mays and Steve Rodby. They are accompanied by Antonio Sanchez, who is amazing on drums, Richard Bona, whose solo performance on the DVD is fantastic, and finally Cuong Vu who is a very distinctive and skilful trumpeter. Together, this is one of the best PMG line-ups I have had the pleasure of hearing and you will enjoy watching and listening to them. For any Pat Metheny Group regular - you will not be disappointed. If you are new to the group, buy this DVD, as it is one of the best examples of the band playing live that I have seen.

Having seen Pat live a few times I knew just how good his band were. I hadn't though seen the band live with Richard Bona and Antonio Sanchez, both of whom shine on this disc, especially on perennial favourite "Song for Bilbao".
It is Sanchez' solo on "The Gathering Sky" however which proves the real highlight of the gig - possibly the greatest drum solo I have ever seen or heard.
Though it lacks the 'fire' of earlier Metheny Group shows, it more than compensates in sheer musicianship.
Excellent.

There's something deeply romantic about the music of "Speaking of Now". It strongly recalls to me the Pat Metheney Group's great album of 1984, "First Circle", previously my favourite of all their output.
The more complex and upbeat numbers, like "As it is", Proof", and "The Gathering Sky" are counterbalanced by wonderful lyrical ballards, heart-rendingly sung by Richard Bona: "You", and "Another Life".
The concert opens with Pat's solo reworking of "Last Train Home" and a McLaughlinesque guitar/ drums duet "Go Get It". Towards the end, a moving guitar/piano duet "A map of the World/ In her Family" evokes calm and tranquility.
Insensatez (How Insensitive) by Tom Jobim is covered, giving Steve Rodby a very rare bass solo. This is not on the CD, but its inclusion here sums up what I like about this gig. We are relaxed, having fun, deep into some of the world's most beautiful music.
Throughout this concert, the playing is close to flawless. Special mention of Antonio Sanchez' drum solo in "The Gathering Sky" is mandatory. This is seriously clever drumming: four distinct patterns simultaneously at one point!
Another special mention is due to Richard Bona's multi-layered vocal introduction to the anthemic "On Her Way". This tune courses us rapidly from Central Africa via an intimate Jazz club to a church hall, ultimately ending up with a sublime receding hook.
It's wonderful to see the trumpet taking a leading voice in this unique band; an architypal Jazz instrument being rightly honoured. Cuong Vu has all the facility of a master trumpeter. Typically of Pat Metheny Group, he has also extended the instruments' expressive range adding a host of wind-like noises to its voice.
Tribute must also go to the Korean audience on both this disc and "The Way Up Live". Unlike so many, these never noisily interrupt the music, and allow the group to go right down to a whisper without spoiling it. Yet after hot solos, they applaud as warmly as any Americans would.
Among a suite of such strong compositions, there are many favourites. I play different selections on different days depending on my mood. From up-and-at-'em to introspection, the whole spectrum of musical expression is here.
This is the gig of my (new) favourite album by a peerless group of exploring musicians.