Community (American Garage)

Subject View

From:	Message:
SUBJECT:	Pat articles in Downbeat 1978 & 1979 Back to Subjects
MarcNebo Aug 19 2021 at 8:07 PM	In 2020 I discovered a stash of Jazz magazines with articles on Pat in a closet. In the earliest Downbeat (July 13, 1978) Pat said he doesn’t want to be known as a fast guitar player. In the article Pat said "Playing melodies is my number one asset." "I’m thinking about the long run, not just next week. It’s my composition that I feel is important." The article started with Pat stating that he wasn’t disappointed that the club where the interview took place was 3/4 empty. "I have total faith that once heard this band (PMG) will be popular and that people will start coming out to see us all the time." If you want to read the article it was titled "Ready To Tackle Tomorrow". A second article was from the March 22, 1979 Downbeat and was an analysis of Pat by Neil Tesser (who I know) and is best known for doing Jazz Liner Notes. Neil said Metheny may never sell as many records as Chuck Mangione, but neither will he pay the price of in currencies ranging from the lost respect to abandoned innovation
Login to Post
MarcNebo Sep 02 2022 at 10:42 AM	Blisswork : Did you ever locate that issue of Downbeat?
aloc Aug 24 2021 at 6:11 AM	Yes Marc, I’m aware that the article was published in the late 70’s. I meant that I personally happened to have the chance to read it some 15 years ago, when I got access to a stash of old downbeat issues from the 60’s and 70’s. Other than that, I agree with your assessment regarding Zawinul, Lyle and the usage of synths. Hopefully I’ll have the chance to revisit those old issues myself, too, at some point! Apart from the interesting articles and reviews, it’s also lots of fun to see old ads for musical gear that was new at the time.
MarcNebo Aug 23 2021 at 10:45 PM	Blisswork : I just tried Googling the article title and could not locate it. I also went to Downbeat.com Archives and the didn’t go back that far. You may be able to find old Downbeat at your local library. It’s been a long time since I have been in a Public Library let alone try to look for old issues of magazines.
Blisswork Aug 23 2021 at 11:06 AM	Thanks! Do you know where you can find these articles? I remember reading an article, probably the Downbeat one around that time. I didn’t know almost anything about Pat besides his music and was so impressed by his intellectual capacity, depth and outstanding way of expressing himself, especially for such a young person. It was mind blowing! It took the whole thing to a new level!
MarcNebo Aug 22 2021 at 12:49 PM	aloc : Ready To Tackle Tomorrow was written forty-three years ago. I’ll read it again and let you know about the Synthesizer reference. I just started reading a book on the band Weather Report. It discusses the difference in how Joe Zawinul used Synthesizers compared to Herbie Hancock, Chick Correa and Jan Hammer. I would put Lyle Mays with Joe Zawinul. Joe and Lyle sound was more organic sounding.
aloc Aug 22 2021 at 8:01 AM	If my memory serves me correct, I remember reading the "Ready to Tackle Tomorrow" some fifteen years ago or so. It was a really interesting read. If I remember correctly, Pat mentioned people like Jan Hammer and Chick Corea in that article, or another from that same era regarding their utilization of synths in particular. Can you confirm?
MarcNebo Aug 20 2021 at 9:51 PM	Also in one of the articles Pat said he preferred Jazz-based music not fusion when describing his music. The second article was called "Musings On Neo-Fusion." I am amazed that even back at the beginning Pat has had a vision of where his music is at and where he wants to take it. It’s all about his compositions then and now.
Login to Post