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billherb Nov 11 2012 at 4:21 PM	I’ve started a little project of gathering various cover versions of Pat Metheny songs on which artists have added their own lyrics. So far, my collection includes the following songs: ’Airstream Two’ by Perri ’Always And Forever’ by Katrine Madsen ’April Joy’ by Anja Lerch & Frank Sichmann ’As It Is’ by Jazzpartout & Anne Czichowsky ’Better Days Ahead’ by Norbert Gottschalk & Frank Haunschild ’For Better Days Ahead’ by Tom Lellis ’Better Days Ahead’, by Fleurine and Brad Mehldau ’Calling Home’ (Letter from Home) by Noa ’A Crooked Road’ (Last Train Home) by Ranee Lee ’Free’ by Kevin Mahogany ’Hermitage’ by Fábián Juli Jazz Riff ’If I Could, You Know I Would’ by Greta Matassa ’Jaco Two’ by Perri ’James’ by Frank Haunschild & Norbert Gottschalk ’Love Aloud’ (Always and Forever) by Aimée Allen ’Minuano’ by Bob Mintzer Big Band ’Minuano’ by Léah Kline ’The Road to Me’ by Holly Holmes ’September 15th’ by Mark Murphy ’Secretly Begin’ by Kevyn Lettau ’So May It Secretly Begin’ by Anne Walsh ’Something To Remind You’ by Philip Bailey ...plus the songs by Anna Marie Jopek on her album ’Upojenie’. It’s a great playlist, and it gives an interesting insight on how vocalists interpret these great songs from Pat Metheny. Does anyone know of other such songs that are missing from this list?
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billherb Dec 04 2022 at 10:45 PM	This a question for Arlie (or anyone else who may know). Way back in Jan 2014, you had posted a fairly comprehensive list of songs to add to this thread. (and thanks for that!) I have been able to track down most of those songs, but I still have not heard ’James’ by Darrell Scott, or ’So May It Secretly Begin’ by New South Jazz in their entirety. Do either of these song versions have lyrics, or do they simply have wordless vocals? Unfortunately, none of my music streaming service include either of these songs. Thanks!
d'Heat Nov 23 2022 at 6:09 AM	Speaking of Peter Sprague, his quartet covers Lyle’s "August" featuring Aubrey Johnson (Lyle’s niece) vocalizing. Spectacular. Available on YouTube. Happy Thanksgiving to all celebrating.
billherb Nov 02 2022 at 11:25 PM	Looks like it’s time to update this list with lots of new vocalese versions of Pat Metheny songs from the past two years. From Noa’s 2021 album "Afterallogy", there is a new stripped down recording of "Calling Home", which (as you may recall) is Metheny’s "Letter from Home" with her lyrics. The 2022 album "Secret Language" from MaryLynn Gillaspie features "(It’s Just) Talk" with her own lyrics. Vivian Buczek recorded a new version of "Always and Forever" on her 2022 album "Roots" with Deborah Brown’s familiar lyrics. And in my opinion, the best collection of Pat Metheny vocalese since Anna Maria Jopek’s "Upojenie" is on the albums "Peter Sprague Plays Pat Metheny, Vol 1" and "...Vol 2". These albums feature a total of 11 Metheny songs, all with lyrics penned by Randy Phillips. Versions of three of the songs, "Questions", "A Change of Heart", and "A Farmers Trust", were previously released on Randy Phillips’ 2005 album "True Stories I Made Up" and were rerecorded with new vocalists for "Peter Sprague Plays Pat Metheny, Vol 2". The remaining songs include newly lyricized versions of "Song for Bilbao", "Spring Ain’t Here", "Lone Jack", "Travels", "Better Days Ahead", "Are You Going with Me?", and "In Her Family". All of these songs are great. They are all available on iTunes and other streaming services. Enjoy! And as always, if you know of any other artists that have written lyrics to Pat Metheny songs, please include them here. Thanks!
MarcNebo Aug 12 2020 at 10:26 AM	billherb : Followup : I just found all three songs by doing a Google search for "Perri Sisters Jaco Two, Airstream Two and Travels Two". All are under Videos, but are audios from the records. Vocals are impressive, but the instrumentals sound cheesy and heavily produced. Guitar intro to Travels Two sounds like a young kid playing it for the first time.
MarcNebo Aug 12 2020 at 8:56 AM	billherb : I just went to allmusic.com and looked up Perri and looked at their Discography. Their first record had Airstream Two and Jaco Two on it. I looked at the Credits and Pat did not get credit for writing the songs. I remember at the concert that he mentioned that they did vocal arrangements to some of his songs. That explains the "Two". Another record had Travels Two. I remember when I saw them with Pat that they really sounded good together. Pat was smioling the whole time, but then again he is always smiling. Try Googling all the titles with Perri.
billherb Aug 11 2020 at 9:31 PM	Discovered 7 songs to add to the list.....Wendy Fopeano - “Always And Forever In My Mind” from 2007 album "When There’s Love".....Jamie Shew - "The Answers Are You" from 2018 album "Eyes Wide Open".....Christina Bjordal - "Crooked Road (Last Train Home)" from 2009 album "Warrior of Light".....Jazzchor Freiburg - "Are You Going with Me" from 2019 album "Infusion".....Jazzchor Freiburg - "Last Train Home" from 2019 album "Infusion".....Emilie-Claire Barlow - "It’s Just Talk" from 2015 album "Clear Day".....Opataé - "The Girls Next Door" from 2011 "Silk & Soul Fingerolls".
billherb Aug 11 2020 at 9:19 PM	Wow, lots of great information! Thanks to Kensington for the tip on a brand new song to this thread. It’s a good one! And thanks also to ztfs and MarcNebo for the input on the gospel group Pat referenced in the "It’s For You" podcast. Sounds like Perri may very well have been the group referenced by Pat, but I didn’t see anything online about them covering "It’s For You". I guess it’s possible they did a demo of it, but never performed it live. (?) I do love their versions of Jaco and Airstream, and I’m sure it was great seeing them perform live with PMG. Thanks again to all for the input!
MarcNebo Jul 23 2020 at 12:02 PM	ztfs & billherb : I just went to the Pat Metheny Database and clicked on More Info for five PMG + Perri shows. It looks like Perri sang Airstream Two and JacoTwo. That jogged my memory and I know remember that they did Jaco .I also confirmed they were sisters.
MarcNebo Jul 23 2020 at 11:41 AM	I caught the same tour in the Chicago suburbs in 1985. I remember Pat introducing Perri, saying he was very impressed with their versions of his songs. The Pat Metheny Database website (Marc Morvan) sometimes lists the songlist for the shows. If I remember they wrote words to his tunes. Also I think they were sisters.
ztfs Jul 23 2020 at 10:33 AM	Hi, billherb. The gospel group was called Perri. They performed with the PMG at a concert I went to in NH back in 1985. I think they sang just a few songs in the middle of the show, but I don’t recall which tunes they performed. It was great, though! I found this info on the web: http://www.soulwalking.co.uk/Perri.html.
Kensington Jul 22 2020 at 2:18 PM	There’s a beautiful version of Au Lait (in French) by a singer named Francoise Fognini. The track is called ’Le Cours des Choses’ (the course of events). I think she perfectly captures the intoxicating tango of that song...
billherb Feb 18 2020 at 3:15 PM	I was just re-listening to the podcast series from a few years ago with Pat and Lyle commenting on the making of "As Falls Wichita, So Falls Wichita Falls". During the "It’s For You" podcast, Pat mentions that there was a gospel group that wrote lyrics to "It’s For You". Does anyone know the gospel group or song Pat is referring to?
billherb Nov 13 2019 at 12:57 PM	I just discovered a few more songs to add to this list..."So May it Secretly Begin" is covered by JiLL Decoy association from their 2014 album "Just a Hunch", with lyrics in Japanese. Australian jazz singer Kristin Berardi’s 2015 album "Where or When" includes a vocalese version of "Unity Village". And UK jazz vocalist Claire Martin wrote new lyrics to "Timeline" (a Metheny tune from Michael Brecker’s "Time Is of the Essence") on her 2019 album "Believin’ It". All three of these are really good, and attainable without too much effort. Enjoy!
billherb Apr 06 2019 at 9:32 AM	Thanks to aloc for the informative post on the real original release of "Snova" (and "Son of Thirteen"). I will definitely need to check out more of Alex Sipiagin’s albums. Good stuff there. ...Way back at the beginning of this post I thought Ranee Lee released the original version of "Crooked Road" (Last Train Home), but I came to find out through thirdwind’s post that it was actually Nancy King and Glen Moore who created those lyrics for their 1991 album "Potato Radio". This is good information, and thanks for the feedback!
naut Apr 04 2019 at 2:17 AM	Thanks for the heads-up on these new ones, billherb, especially "Across the Sea." They do a nice version of JT’s "Secret O’ Life" as well. Here are the lyrics to "James," direct from Chiara herself: "There was once a tall young man / What was his name / I think it was James / Now this young man (he) could write a song / Didn’t have to be long / You would sing right along / Wouldn’t nothing be wrong / What this man was sayin’ // Then one day he was feelin’ real low/ Words wouldn’t flow / Melodies wouldn’t grow / So he sat down to pray to the fire and rain / Just to feel the pain / Nothing here to explain / Not once did he complain / Did this man James // You could say he crossed his mind that day / To the other shore, another way / To shower the people he loved with love / And to show them the way that he feels // All the children gathered ‘round / Just to hear the sound / Of angels comin’ down / When he’d try to leave they would cry out loud / Please Sir won’t you remain / For you sing our sweet pain / You know we’re all the same / Mr. Tall James // Now he is a tall old man / Folks will come from miles / Just to see him smile / When he’s gone they’ll remember his name / Wasn’t John, George or Paul / From the Stars they will all / Sing his songs in the hall / Call him Tall James"
aloc Apr 02 2019 at 12:03 PM	Actually "Snova" appeared (along with the tune "Son of Thirteen") on trumpeter Alex Sipiagin’s album "Returning" (2005) prior to "Day Trip" (2008). Antonio plays on Sipiagin’s album, as does another collaborator of Pat’s, namely Scott Colley. Checked out the version by Alina Engibaryan and, funnily enough, it featured Alex Sipiagin on trumpet!
billherb Mar 31 2019 at 10:26 AM	A few new songs to add to this list. There is an almost brand new album from Chiara Izzi & Kevin Hays entitled "Across the Sea" with a version of "James" with new lyrics packed with James Taylor references. As an added bonus, this song also features Gregoire Maret (multi-instrumentalist from "The Way Up") on harmonica. From 2016, a band named Wave Reverse recorded a new version of "Last Train Home" with new lyrics. And from 2017, an artist named Alina Engibaryan released a new vocalese version of "Snova" (originally on Metheny’s "Day Trip" album) on her album entitled "Driving Down the Road". Pretty sure all of these songs are available on iTunes and Amazon music and elsewhere.
billherb Jan 16 2017 at 9:27 PM	...Catching up with several new, or newly discovered, vocalese versions of Pat Metheny songs. "Bird on a Wire" by Andrea Claburn, from the brand new album "Nightshade" is a vocalese version of "Timeline" from Micheal Brecker’s "Time is of the Essence" album. The 2016 album "Intertwined" by Yumi Ito includes "Always and Forever" with Deborah Brown’s lyrics. "The Sacred Romance" by Jake Bergevin, from the 2007 album "Holding Back the Dawn" is a vocalese version of "So May it Secretly Begin". Com Você added lyrics to "Tell Her You Saw Me" on the 2007 album "Candeias". "Question the Answer" by Georgia Mancio, from the 2010 album "Silhouette" is a vocalese version of "Question and Answer". Pepi Lemer’s 2015 album "Back2Front" includes vocalese versions of "Third Wind", "Minuano", "In Her Family", and "You".
thirdwind Apr 25 2016 at 4:26 PM	I’m especially fond of Nancy King and Glen Moore’s adaptation of "Last Train Home," from some years ago. Written as the story of a brave, blind woman venturing out into "a long tunnel night" to escape an abusive home, it’s very moving. And the rhythm section lays down a groove that’s all loosey-goosey and akimbo, contrasting with the original’s mechanical precision. It can be found, I hope, on the album "Potato Radio."
billherb Jan 25 2016 at 7:40 AM	Adding one more to the list..."Talk Awhile" by Judy Niemack where she wrote and sings her own lyrics to "(It’s Just) Talk" from the Pat Metheny Group album "Still Life (Talking)". This songs appears on her album "About Time" released in 2003.
billherb Jun 21 2015 at 10:44 AM	Thanks to davidmangtr, tomm and ztfs for contributing to this song list! It appears that Kurt Elling’s iTunes bonus track is a re-recording of Anna Maria Jopek’s version of "Another Life" with her lyrics (in Polish). One of these days, I’ll have to post a complete updated list of all the vocalese verisons of Pat’s songs that have been mentioned here, so that it is easier to find the songs. And yes, hman01, I’ll be sure to include that awesome album of gems from Elene Dee!
ztfs May 23 2015 at 8:12 PM	Looking on Kurt Elling’s website, there’s also an iTunes bonus track written by Pat called "Me Jedyne Niebo".
tomm May 22 2015 at 10:24 AM	Kurt Elling’s new album, Passion World, comes out in a couple of weeks and will include a version of "Another LIfe" (from SON) with new lyrics. I read his decision to record it came after he heard the Anna Marie Jopek version in Polish.
hman01 May 22 2015 at 8:31 AM	For me, Elene Dee is still the best when it comes to Metheny Vocalese’. When it comes to interpretation and tone, she is the best. Heavens to Mergatroid !!!
davidmangtr May 21 2015 at 11:08 PM	Thanks for keeping this list of vocalese arrangements of Pat’s songs. I can’t wait to listen to more of these. By the way, my sister is the jazz singer Aimee Allen, who is on the list. We are both big Pat Metheny fans, I group up listening to Pat and trying to play his music. Aimee put her original lyrics to Pat’s song "Always and Forever" under the name "Love Aloud" on her release "Winters & Mays" in 2011. And, she just released a new CD "Matter of Time" where she sings lyrics to Pat’s song "The Space Between". Also missing from the list is Mark Murphy’s version of "It’s Just Talk" from his album "Song for the Geese". And, Kurt Elling on his new release, "Passion World" coming out June 9th sings lyrics to Pat’s song "Another Life" and called it "After the Door".
Franz Mar 27 2015 at 7:26 AM	How about the best vocalist (my humble opinion) doing the best musician ? or... Youn Sunnah singing metheny. in Better days ahead in a YouTube video (horrible video though, but excellent singing). Seen Yunsunnah live and it was simply amazing,...
MarcNebo Mar 26 2015 at 4:09 PM	I caught the show in Chicago when Pat announced special guests would join them for several tunes. Perri came out and Pat was smiling the whole time they performed. It was a memorable show.
billherb Mar 26 2015 at 11:43 AM	...Oops, looks like I already listed "Question and Answer" previously...
billherb Mar 25 2015 at 9:13 PM	Adding a couple more songs to this list...the first is a song called "Echoes" by i.n.a. (yet another version of "Always and Forever") which can be heard at this link: http://ina- music.bandcamp.com/track/echoes and the second is "Question and Answer" by Norbert Gottschalk.
tokeyozi Aug 21 2014 at 12:17 PM	billherb, btw, a very good album indeed: Vocal Line’s ’Emotional Landscapes’. With an impressive version of Joni’s Blue as well.
billherb Aug 17 2014 at 9:50 AM	...just a couple more to add to the list...Norbert Gottschalk does a version of "Question and Answer" on his album "Stars". And "Inori (Prayer)" by Akiko Yano from her album "Piano Nightly" is actually the original version of this song, and was released prior to the Metheny/McBride/Sanchez version on Tokyo Day Trip.
billherb Aug 17 2014 at 9:34 AM	tokeyozi: That youtube video from Vocal Line is definitely one of my favorites from this list. There is also a studio version of "Always and Forever" on their album "Emotional Landscapes", but I think I prefer the live version.
tokeyozi Aug 10 2014 at 1:08 PM	I discovered this one only recently. Really think this vocal version of Always and Forever is worth listening to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LE5wGKFwtvQ
hman01 Jun 23 2014 at 3:25 PM	Out of all these,Elene Dee is still the best.
billherb Jun 23 2014 at 8:40 AM	If you’re a fan of vocal harmonies, you’re gonna love this version of "Travels" by Vertical Voices. There is a great a cappella arrangement midway through the song. Love this one! http://youtu.be/2F0brha6qZU
billherb Jun 23 2014 at 8:36 AM	bebe, thanks. It’s good to know that others appreciate this sort of thing too. I’m sure you’re already aware that it’s Kurt Elling doing the vocal on the Bob Mintzer Big Band version of Minuano also.
bebe Jun 22 2014 at 12:38 PM	I found Kurt Elling through this thread. It is good to see it at the top again. Now I love Kurt Elling too.
billherb Jun 20 2014 at 11:21 AM	...a recent discovery, Cathy Segal- Garcia’s "Her Family" from her album Bohemian is a vocalese version of "In Her Family" from (Still Life) Talking.
dremok Jan 07 2014 at 12:22 PM	Viktoria Tolstoy - A Moment Of Now (Always And Forever)
Arlie Jan 04 2014 at 8:41 AM	Always and Forever -- Deborah Brown; Always and Forever -- Frank Haunschild & Norbert Gottschalk; Always and Forever -- Katrine Madsen; Always and Forever -- Aimee Allen [called "Love Aloud" on her CD]; Always and Forever -- Maria Mendes [called "Olha so No Meu Olhar" on her CD]; April Joy -- Anja Lerch & Frank Sichmann; As It Is -- Jazzpartout & Anne Czichowsky; Better Days Ahead -- Burdes Jugend Jazz Orchestra; Better Days Ahead -- Norbert Gottschalk & Frank Haunschild; Better Days Ahead -- Tom Lellis [called "For Better Days Ahead" on his CD]; First Circle -- Ruben Blades; If I Could -- Greta Matassa; It’s Just Talk -- Bill Washer & Dom Ciccetti; James -- Darrell Scott; James -- The Duo; James -- Victoria Remmler; James -- Awada Mariko; Last Train Home -- Ranee Lee [called "A Crooked Road" on her CD]; Minuano -- Bob Mintzer Big Band; Minuano -- Leah Kline; The Road to You -- Holly Holmes [called "The Road to Me" on her CD]; September 15th -- The King’s Singers [medley with Keeper of the Seasons]; So May It Secretly Begin -- Anne Walsh; So May It Secretly Begin -- Kevin Lettau; So May It Secretly Begin -- New South Jazz; Something to Remind You -- Philip Bailey. All are available for download on iTunes. Enjoy
billherb Dec 29 2013 at 1:16 PM	...just adding songs as I discover them (for anyone keep track)... this past summer Anita Wardell released a song called ’Travels/The Road’ on her CD titled ’The Road’. The song is a vocalese version of ’Travels’ (as you might have expected).
aokub01 Jan 24 2013 at 12:49 PM	There’s also a version of So may it secretly begin by Kevyn Lettau
djbinder Jan 24 2013 at 7:37 AM	A review of Maria Mendes’ Along the Way, today at All About Jazz. Capable of plenty in the chops department, Mendes rarely displays them, so when she does - as she most certainly does on Hermeto Pascoal’s "Chorinho Pra Ele," they’re just that much more impressive. It’s largely a Brazilian/Latin program, played by the Portuguese-born, Netherlands-resident singer’s strong Dutch quartet of names that will be familiar to some who follow the scene. But there’s one notable exception; on "Olha Só No Meu Olhar," Mendes interprets Pat Metheny’s "Always and Forever," from 1992’s Secret Story, with some self-penned Portuguese lyrics. It’s a nice touch, given the guitarist’s predilections. Review here: http://j.mp/Y00FPN.
tiny_tim Jan 23 2013 at 6:03 AM	djbinder, this sounds most interesting and look towards your review..In music Tiny Tim
billherb Jan 21 2013 at 7:44 AM	Arlie - That’s kind of what I thought too, but I wanted to see if anyone was hearing something else. Thanks.
billherb Jan 21 2013 at 7:33 AM	2 more..."Prayer" by Clammbon, and "Sailboat" by Irina Zemtsova. I haven’t heard the latter yet, but "Prayer" is Inori from Tokyo Day Trip. Interesting vocal, sound like she’s in the room with you.
Arlie Jan 13 2013 at 10:06 AM	Billherb -- I think the last line of the chorus on the "James" is ".... then the radio-man said was James Taylor".
djbinder Jan 12 2013 at 10:47 PM	Just wrote up a review of the debut recording of Maria Mendes, a Portuguese singer, now loving in The Netherlands, who I met in Amsterdam back this past October. Along the Road features "Olha So no Meu Olhar," with Mendes’ Portuguese lyrics written to Metheny’s "Always and Forever." Simply lovely, and her harmonicist, WIm Wijkgraaf, is someone to check out - a possible torch-bearer for Toots Thielemans - as is the rest of her fine Dutch Quintet. I’ll post the review here when it’s been edited and published, looking like end of this coming week or early the following.
billherb Jan 12 2013 at 7:43 AM	Just stumbled upon another one while listening to Norbert Gottschalk and Frank Haunschild on Spotify. They do a version of "Always and Forever" with lyrics that are different from all of the other versions listed on this thread. It’s on their album "The Art of a Duo (Favorite Songs)". It’s a good one!
hman01 Dec 10 2012 at 12:11 PM	Yeah,put a quarter in the magic fingers and that’s the kind of vibrato you get! uhUHuhUHuhUHuh
billherb Dec 09 2012 at 5:15 PM	ztfs, thanks for the contribution to the list. I did get a chance to listen to Elene Dee’s album on Rhapsody hoping to find a song that I would want to add to my collection. Let’s just say that on a scale of 1 to 10, her vibrato is a 100.
billherb Dec 09 2012 at 5:03 PM	Arlie, thanks for the correction. No wonder I couldn’t find it! I do agree that version of ’James’ is great. Although I’ve never been able to figure out for sure the last line of the chorus, the line after "from my head to my soul". It’s ’something something something James Taylor’. Also, are there lyrics in the version of "It’s Just Talk" that you submitted? The short audio clip on iTunes only has Pedro Aznar-style vocals with no lyrics.
Arlie Dec 09 2012 at 10:06 AM	Correction: the version of "James" that I love so much is the one by Frank Haunschild & Norbert Gottschalk, on a CD called "The Duo". iTunes has it mislabeled.
Arlie Dec 06 2012 at 6:14 PM	You’ve hit most of the vocal covers that I’ve been able to find, but here are a few that I don’t think have been listed yet: It’s Just Talk by Bill Washer and Dom Ciccetti; September 15th/Keeper of the Season (medley) by The King’s Singers; and James by The Duo (Natsuki Kido & Daisuke Suzuki). The latter is my personal favorite of all the Metheny/Mays covers (vocal or instrumental), I sing it all the time. And don’t forget that Anna Marie Jopek did an entire CD of covers with vocals in Polish, with lovely arrangements and Pat featured on each track. There’s a translation of all the lyrics on the Internet (I recall seeting a link to the translations in the Garage a while back, when the Jopek CD first came out). Thanks for posting this -- I’m always looking for good covers of Metheny/Mays songs.
hman01 Dec 02 2012 at 5:17 PM	"ztfs"-You keep name dropping and sending me to itunes to check out new tracks! Yma Sumac isn’t as bad.Her vibrato actually stays on the same pitch.CHA CHA CHA !!!
ztfs Dec 02 2012 at 2:48 PM	Well, "hman01", it is pretty funny, isn’t it. But my first reaction was, WTH? I think I’d rather listen to Yma Sumac!
hman01 Dec 01 2012 at 11:12 AM	"ztfs"-I sampled the Elene Dee tracks on itunes. I couldn’t stop laughing. It’s that wide vibrato that has me rolling on the floor. It’s like that old cartoon character who said "Heavens to Mergatroid" who spoke with a wide vibrato,but that was a male voice,not a female voice. Let’s raise a glass to the Luanne Poovy of Metheny Vocalese !
ztfs Nov 30 2012 at 3:23 PM	Here’s a whole album full of ’em by Elene Dee, though it’s absolutely horrible. The album’s called "When Night Turns Into Day to Metheny - Elene Dee Sings Pat Metheny".
billherb Nov 19 2012 at 6:04 PM	Way to go Reg! I was able to find everything but Mark Murphy, so I’ll have to keep looking for that one. It’s interesting that the Ruben Blades arrangement of First Circle is pretty much a copy of the Boca Livre version. I think the Ruben Blades version is more familiar to most. Also, thanks for the tip on Deborah Brown. Looks like she wrote those "Always and Forever" lyrics which many artists have repeated since.
rbslscpa Nov 18 2012 at 10:18 PM	Oh and Silje "This is not america"
rbslscpa Nov 18 2012 at 9:24 PM	Finally K-Z. Isgaard "This is Not America" Rhiannon "Love of the Land" (based on Last Train Home) Peri "Travels Two" Randy Phillips "Question and Answer" The Kings Singers a song based loosely on "September 15th". Thanks for the thread, I found a few i did not have. Later, Reg
rbslscpa Nov 17 2012 at 12:38 PM	OK "B-J". Please note not all of these are that good as mentioned by "sednaej" but here goes. Did not see mark murphy (Baby) it’s just talk; Boca Livre First circle (does this count basically Pedro Aznar scating); Randy Phillips Change of heart and Farmers trust; Perri Jaco Two. bye for now.
blisterfree Nov 17 2012 at 1:59 AM	It could also be said that Pat’s covers of various vocal songs over the years have done more to strengthen the original works (as opposed to diminishing them). "How Insensitive" comes to mind, for one. And more than a few tracks on "What’s It All About" for some others.
billherb Nov 16 2012 at 5:52 PM	@ sednaej: Agreed. The original versions of these songs are typically better than the cover versions with lyrics. Although I have a few favorites that I think come close to being as good as the original. Regardless, I can appreciate that a lyricist would be inspired as they listen Pat Metheny’s music.
billherb Nov 16 2012 at 5:31 PM	@rbslscpa: Just listened to the Vocal Line version and it is outstanding! No pressure, but I’m really looking forward to B through Z!
sednaej Nov 16 2012 at 4:42 PM	Great addition, rbslscpa. I had never heard of Vocal Line, but found this song on youtube. Beautiful arrangement and an outstanding perfomance (which btw also proves the quality of the composition once again)!
rbslscpa Nov 15 2012 at 3:46 AM	As I get time I am going to throw out a few more cover titles in keeping with your "vocal" classification. Today going through "A". Debra Brown "Always and Forever", Vocal Line "Always and Forever’
sednaej Nov 14 2012 at 3:36 PM	Courtesy of "RodrigoValente" I’d like to add ’Find Me In Your Dreams (En Tu Suenos) by Estrella Morente. I don’t understand a word of the lyrics, but I consider that as an advantage. This a beautiful voice conveying emotion just like the music does. "billherb", you have mentioned some very interesting performances, but i.m.h.o. in most cases the lyrics don’t make the song stronger.
billherb Nov 12 2012 at 7:51 PM	Thanks fredsimon! Coincidentally, the version of ’Minuano’ by Bob Mintzer Big Band is also sung by Kurt Elling. Similar arrangement, but with horns.
billherb Nov 12 2012 at 4:45 PM	These are great! One interesting note, the three listed versions of ’Better Days Ahead’ are different, each with their own unique lyrics. But all 3 coincidentally have the line ’better days ahead’ at the same place in the melody. ...almost the same lyrical interpretation from 3 different artists.
sednaej Nov 12 2012 at 10:44 AM	I recently mentioned ’Olha so no meu Olhar’ by Maria Mendes (under subject What are you listening to now?) which is a cover of ’Always & Forever’ with portuguese lyrics.
thehague Nov 12 2012 at 4:20 AM	First Circle by Ruben Blades is a great addition to this nice list.
fredsimon Nov 12 2012 at 12:49 AM	Kurt Elling: Minuano, on his album Man In the Air
billherb Nov 11 2012 at 5:17 PM	Okay, how about that list again with some semicolons! ’Airstream Two’ by Perri; ’Always And Forever’ by Katrine Madsen; ’April Joy’ by Anja Lerch & Frank Sichmann; ’As It Is’ by Jazzpartout & Anne Czichowsky; ’Better Days Ahead’ by Norbert Gottschalk & Frank Haunschild; ’For Better Days Ahead’ by Tom Lellis; ’Better Days Ahead’, by Fleurine and Brad Mehldau; ’Calling Home’ (Letter from Home) by Noa; ’A Crooked Road’ (Last Train Home) by Ranee Lee; ’Free’ by Kevin Mahogany; ’Hermitage’ by Fábián Juli Jazz Riff; ’If I Could, You Know I Would’ by Greta Matassa; ’Jaco Two’ by Perri; ’James’ by Frank Haunschild & Norbert Gottschalk; ’Love Aloud’ (Always and Forever) by Aimée Allen; ’Minuano’ by Bob Mintzer Big Band; ’Minuano’ by Léah Kline; ’The Road to Me’ by Holly Holmes; ’September 15th’ by Mark Murphy; ’Secretly Begin’ by Kevyn Lettau; ’So May It Secretly Begin’ by Anne Walsh; ’Something To Remind You’ by Philip Bailey
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