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The 100 Jazz Albums That Shook The World
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MarcNebo
Jun 30 2022 at 5:56 PM
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I recently received the 2022 edition of Jazzwise magazine’s Thee 100 Jazz Albums That Shook The World. Pat’s record
80/81 was #31. Please see my post "80/81 (the song, not the record)" regarding the record. At the back of the book
they listed the results from the 1999 and 2006 editions. In 1999 Pat Metheny’s Travels record was #72 and in the
2006 edition Bright Size Life was #31. Reviews of these two records weren’t available. I understand why BSL is listed,
but I am curious what the review said. My guess is that it being a great live record that was well recorded and
produced. An excellent record representing Pat’s career at that time. |
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MarcNebo
Aug 22 2022 at 12:35 PM
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facing west : I agree with you, the many critics and some Jazz snobs write off Pat because he is too "commercial" and
sells a lot of records. And it’s amazing how many famous Jazz musicians think so highly of Pat as a musician. Starting
with Gary Burton and followed by all the Jazz musicians that appeared on his records. As much as I like Downbeat
and their annual Critics Poll, I am amazed by their poll choices. As everyone at the AG knows I am a huge Pat fan and
can’t comprehend how Pat and his music where overlooked by many critics. Goes to show, for those that can’t play,
become a critic. That is why I was so happy to see three of Pat’s first ten records make the "100" lists. Amazing
statistic. Thanks for responding, I was getting tired of talking (posting) to myself.
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facing west
Aug 21 2022 at 6:09 PM
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Marc, one thing I noticed about jazz critics in general is that they don’t like musicians who sell a few records. Not
even a lot of records by pop music standards. This was probably more of a thing when records were more of a thing,
but any jazz musician who achieves commercial success is automatically suspect. Besides Pat, a guy like Donald Byrd
would be a case in point. Wes Montgomery is another example. For some reason, there is some kind of ’purity’ test
applied to improvised music. I used to live in Toronto, and there was a jazz DJ there who refused to play anything
"outside the tradition" -- whatever that is.
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MarcNebo
Aug 19 2022 at 10:23 AM
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I just noticed at the back of the book it said that From This Place was one of the records that almost made the list.
They gave it a great mini review. Did anyone else read this post or am I just talking (posting) to myself? I just like
seeing Pat get good reviews by the critics.
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MarcNebo
Jul 17 2022 at 11:15 AM
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More accolades for Pat, this time from JazzTimes magazine. Yesterday I found my December 2020 JazzTimes
Special 50th Anniversary Issue and read the article "The Top 50 Albums of the Past 50 Years". JazzTimes
contributing writers and readers selected the most significant records. For the 70’s Bright Size Life made the critics
list and Readers List (#6). Mini review stated "Arguably one of the most influential jazz debut of the past 50 years,
certainly the most influential by a guitarist". For the 80’s the critics selected 80/81 and it was #1 pick for the
Readers. The mini review mentioned that 26 year old Pat assembled a heavy-weight band. Surprisingly the critics
didn’t pick any of Pat’s records after the 80’s. For the 90’s the readers picked Pat’s record with Dave Holland and
Roy Haynes (#2) and Pat and Charlie Haden’s Beyond the Missouri Sky (Short Stories) (#4). For the 00’s The Way
Up (#5) and 10’s The Unity Band (#6). At least Pat made the critics list twice as a sideman for Michael Brecker,
(Michael Brecker and Pilgrimage).
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MarcNebo
Jul 14 2022 at 12:57 PM
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I thought it was very impressive that Pat’s first record, Bright Size Life made the list. Very ground-breaking record for
the time, especially with Jaco on electric bass. Maybe Pat will release the outtakes or unreleased songs one of these
years. Gary Burton still hasn’t gotten credit for Producing BSL, except by Pat.
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MarcNebo
Jul 01 2022 at 2:42 PM
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I just noticed in my post I meant to write I was curious why Travels was selected.
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