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jcoyle231 Jul 20 2021 at 3:14 PM |
My guess is that Offramp, almost 40 years old now, hasn’t gotten the same attention and acclaim that other great Group albums have, but I think that song for song it’s one of the most interesting and diverse recordings they’ve done. I’ve been listening to it a lot lately due to a current obsession with “Au Lait” and I find myself marveling at how great each track is and how many moods it creates. Time for a reconsideration? |
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MarcNebo Sep 29 2021 at 11:45 PM |
Kooltrane : I just went to the Pat Metheny Database Concert Chronology to confirm your NYC show. It looks like it
could have been on July 24th 1981 (8:00 & 11:30) shows. It was at Town Hall in NYC. The PMD website has helped me
confirm most of my fifty or so times I have seen Pat in Chicago, Southern California, Wisconsin and elsewhere in the
US. I still have two shows unconfirmed in SoCal. I know I saw the PMG at UCSD and the Orange County Performing
Arts Center between 1986 to 1990. One of these days I will finally confirm the shows and will have a more accurate
concert count.
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facing west Sep 29 2021 at 10:03 AM |
Another cool thing about this great album is that it still has a slightly futuristic ’sci-fi’ feel that doesn’t feel dated--40
years later. Credit the writing--every track tells a story--and the production. Also, have to credit the wonderful Nana
Vasconcelos for his otherworldly vocals and percussion.
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patsfan Sep 29 2021 at 12:29 AM |
I have listened to Offramp every single day since May !! The cd is in my car radio and
I won’t remove it, yet . I find it incredibly uplifting , almost spiritual., maybe because
it comes with 40 years of memories.. Aside from that , however, it deserves to be a
all time classic in jazz ( and, a nice dose of newage synth ). One of Pat’s best albums.
Aside from that, I can’t understand why many contemporaries have never heard of
Pat Metheny,... and the Millenisl generation, sadly missed good jazz period.
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Kooltrane Sep 26 2021 at 4:09 PM |
I remember seeing the PMG at Town Hall in NYC around 1980 (?) and the band was playing tunes from an upcoming
record that was still a work in progress. They played several untitled works including a "James-Taylor-Type-Tune" (his
words), followed by a wild, synth-laden free-for-all, followed by a 10-12 minute hypnotic work in 4/4 that gradually
peaked into a sonic mind-blower. I think we know where they all ended up.
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MarcNebo Sep 26 2021 at 1:49 PM |
Your Montreal Pat experience was similar to my Detroit Jazz Festival trip in 2015. Pat was the Artist-In-Residence and
played all four nights with a different band. Night one was Pat Metheny Trio (Scott Colley and Antonio Sanchez) with
Kenny Garrett playing part of the set. The next night was the Gary Burton Quartet (Pat, Scott and Antonio). I missed
the Pat and Ron Carter Duo because of a fall at that stage. The last night was the Eberhard Weber tribute with Danny
Gottlieb, Scott Colley, Gary Burton and the DJF Orchestra. After the tribute Pat played solo with the DJFO
accompanying him. My ultimate Pat experience. I got to talk briefly with Pat after the show.
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GaiaGirl Sep 26 2021 at 3:02 AM |
Ha, I just drove home from the Pat show in SF listening to OFFRAMP and remembering what a great album it is!
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facing west Sep 24 2021 at 2:42 PM |
Interesting thread with some great takes and suggestions. I agree that Offramp is an iconic record--from the
evocative ’Turn Left’ artwork through compositions, execution and production. I recall PM commenting that when
they were making this record he thought, "OK, now we’re really getting somewhere." That’s an amazing statement
considering how much the band had already accomplished. The addition of Steve Rodby was the magic
ingredient. I recall PM saying that Steve Rodby is maybe the guy that he learned the most from. That’s an
incredible statement. But it speaks to all the intangibles that Steve brings to the table. Really enjoyed Lyle’s
version of Au Lait from The Ludwigsburg Concert--gives me a whole new perspective on that tune. And the link to
the Montreal video of AYGWM? Just incredible. I was at that show (along with 100,000 other people) but had
forgotten how cool that interplay was on the solo between Gregoire and Lyle. PMG nirvana. Pat was on fire that
week, and capped it with the Gary Burton reunion on Friday night. Then he switched venues to play an 80/81
reunion with Dewey Redman. He returned to the stage well after midnight for a burning duo with Mick Goodrick,
Pat actually looked refreshed and capable of playing until daybreak. Incredible. I could go on about Montreal, but
that’s a whole other thread. Thanks to all who posted on this Offramp thread.
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jcoyle231 Aug 06 2021 at 9:03 AM |
Glad you found it and enjoyed it sunbear.
Those voices stay with you and I find myself
‘hearing’ it play in my head at different times
throughout the day. Thanks.
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jcoyle231 Aug 05 2021 at 10:23 AM |
Hi sunbear, sorry about that. The YouTube
listing is P. Metheny/L. Mays - “Au Lait”
From: Akademia Muzyczna im. Ignacego
Hope that helps.
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jcoyle231 Aug 03 2021 at 8:21 AM |
Here’s another short video I found on
YouTube with 10 lovely voices from Poland, I
believe, paying tribute to Pat and Lyle with “Au
Lait” that I was very happy to have found.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TuE7NU-
PQvM
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jcoyle231 Aug 02 2021 at 4:21 PM |
Thanks, sunbear, for the Tulio Mourao
recommendation. Another great atmospheric
and ethereal piece that would have been at
home on the “A Map of the World” soundtrack.
Highlight of the day!
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jcoyle231 Aug 01 2021 at 2:10 PM |
Hey sunbear, just listening to the gorgeous
version of “Au Lait” from “The Ludwigsburg
Concert” so thanks for the tip. Wonderful
recording. And coincidentally, I very recently
stumbled upon the Montreal ‘05 video of
AYGWM, a version of which I believe I heard
live way back when, and it still makes the hair
on my arms stand up. The closeups of Pat
playing his picasso are so great and as my son-
in-law (now a big Pat fan and who along with
my daughter will be going with me to the Side-
Eye show in November, we hope) says,
“mesmerizing.” The obsession with “Au Lait”
continues. . . .
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MarcNebo Jul 29 2021 at 11:31 PM |
sunbear : Great news, you can relive the Lyle & Gregoire harmonica/"harmonica" duel on Are You Going With Me?
online. I just found a video from the 2005 Montreal Jazz Festival with a really cool and unusual version of AYGWM? It
starts with a four minute (approximate Pikasso Guitar Intro followed by Cuong Vu trumpet solo and builds into Lyle &
Gregoire trading solos. Lots of cool vocals and more before Pat’s guitar goes to the Stratosphere. The only way I can
direct you to the video is old school ( I am Old School, 67 in August). Google Videos search The Pat Metheny Group-
Intro & Are you going with me? Montreal 2005. For some reason The Spirit of Rock was included before The Pat
Metheny Group, I don’t know why. Video also has some great closeups of the Pikasso Guitar. Enjoy!
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MarcNebo Jul 29 2021 at 4:23 PM |
sunbear : I also noticed that years ago and didn’t think a lot about it. Upon listening to it again on the 40th
Anniversary I had to ask if anyone else heard it. Your theory is also one of my theories. Other lesser theory is Pat
heard it on playback and decided to leave it in. First theory could of Pat saying Bravo to Lyles solo with those two
notes.
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jcoyle231 Jul 29 2021 at 3:00 PM |
Regarding those two fast notes that Pat injects
into Lyle’s solo: it sounds to me like Pat really
wanted to fully join in, but instantly realizes
that Lyle, almost in full swing and ready to
crest the wave, shouldn’t be distracted and
pulls the plug. For what it’s worth. . . .
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MarcNebo Jul 27 2021 at 10:55 PM |
sunbear : Great review, I agree the recording is perfect. Everyone is clearly recorded with a very live feel. Steve
Rodby’s bass pulse is crystal clear. Check out Lyle’s piano solo on James, one of his best. During Lyle’s solo pat plays
two quick notes on the guitar. I am not sure if it is a mistake that Pat left in the recording ( another take would have
ruined a great solo) or Pat thought it would fit. Anyone else notice it? What’s your theory? Are You Going With Me?
sent chills down my spine again. I need to listen to it again soon, this time with my headphones and the volume knob
at eleven! I am looking forward to hearing Side-Eye on October 15th in Chicago. Also I hope he books a gig in Toronto
or Washington DC in 2022 (another version of Side-Eye). I have relatives in both cities and could save on lodging.
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MarcNebo Jul 26 2021 at 9:53 PM |
Thank you all for your posts and thank you to jcoyle231 for suggesting the subject. It’s cool to see all the
responses and not so surprising to read that Offramp has impacted all of us the same. sunbear thanks for
following my Posts, I have a lot to say about Pat and his music. It’s amazing that Pat also recorded As Falls Wichita,
So Falls Wichita Falls (maybe best record title ever) in 1981. Only Pat could put out two completely different
records in one year. I just looked at his Discography at AllMusic.com and he released two records in 1989, 1996,
2000, 2012 and now this year. The pattern continues those years also. I am excited for what the future holds for
Pat with his bands and recordings.
I expect to see him do a big band record and I would expect him to get an all-star band with some of the best Jazz
musicians. He could start with all the musicians that have played and recorded with him since Bright Size Life. Like
the Allman Brothers Band and Grateful Dead he could have two drummers, Antonio Sanchez and Jack DeJohnette.
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jcoyle231 Jul 26 2021 at 8:21 PM |
Pat’s music has been like therapy for me
during these dark and scary days. There’s so
much hope, optimism, and joy in his music a
quick (or extended) listen to some of my
favorites, “Goodbye”, “To The End . . . “, “Last
Train Home” can change the trajectory of my
day. And sunbear, my introduction to PMG
began when I heard “If I Could” on Penn’s
radio station many years ago. I used to call
and request it every weekend before I owned
the recording. And can’t wait till I see him
again live in November.
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patsfan Jul 26 2021 at 1:01 AM |
Yes, Offramp to incredible nostalgia for me... 40 yrs ago ... this was my introduction
to ‘synth’ and the beauty it could elicit .. The Brazilian influence was obvious, Nana
V. , the album starting with Barcarole .. a mix of Brazilian beats.. Then...Are you
going with me ? ...( which I occasionally confuse with Imaginary Day’s Follow Me ..
I really love the synth cymbal beat with Lyle’s synth harmonica ... and then Pat’s flute/
trumpet , .. But my favorite !!!! Au Lait !!!! A most beautiful pensive composition..!!
Then the very upbeat rhythmic Eighteen,. Then Offramp, I interpret that as Pat’s
statement that this album is indeed ‘Offramp’ .. Then James is great .... but the Bat is
striking in it’s almost religious overtones... Happy 40 th Anniversary !!!
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jcoyle231 Jul 25 2021 at 1:52 PM |
Thanks, sunbear, great post. I was struck by
your comment about the crystal clear sound
of Pat’s guitar on those tracks. Enjoying it right
now as I listen, yet again, to “Au Lait.” It’s
amazing how many emotions he evokes with
his playing. Does anyone play more gorgeous
and heartfelt ballads?
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MarcNebo Jul 25 2021 at 11:50 AM |
sunbear : I totally agree with with your comments with one correction. The Lyle solo is on a synthesizer of some type.
I just watched two videos of the song and it is a small keyboard on a stand. Lyle was always a master of getting
unusual and incredible sounds of all his synthesizers and keyboards.
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jcoyle231 Jul 24 2021 at 7:52 PM |
I agree. Offramp was a leap forward for them.
There are just so many great recordings
they’ve made that this one from long ago gets
overlooked, but Au Lait, Eighteen, the
Synclavier workout on Offramp, and the great
anthem AYGWM all should rank way up there
in their pantheon of recordings. It’s been a
revelation to revisit it.
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BobSmith1 Jul 24 2021 at 1:02 PM |
Oops, recorded 1981, released ’82.
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BobSmith1 Jul 24 2021 at 12:34 PM |
Strange: I too was recently listening to Au Lait and amazed at how 40 years had passed since 1981 and Offramp’s release. Hearing it I was really struck how Pat and company had evolved the group into the new, very advanced, concert hall sound of the PMG going forward. Wichita was also a harbinger of the evolving sound
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