Pat Metheny: The Calling
Musicians:
Pat Metheny (guitar), Charlie Haden (bass), Billy Higgins (drums).
Recorded: Power Station, New York. November 29 and 30, 1983
Rating: 89/100 (learn more)
Question: What do Pat Metheny and Lou Reed have in common? Answer: Metal Machine Music. In Reed's case, it was often said that the album was done just to annoy the record company, a contractual obligations kind of thing. Folks on the Internet used to joke that Metheny recorded "The Calling" as a kiss-off to Manfred Eicher on his way out of ECM. Let the record state the obvious: Metheny recorded one more album for ECM (First Circle) the following year. Also, I've seen Pat play this noisefest (and I mean that in a good way!) twice: once on the First Circle tour, and many years later with Roy Haynes. "The Calling" is Pat Metheny at his noise-mining best – the elegiac main theme is fired out via the guitar synth, Haden and Higgins in sympathetic support. Slowly and inevitably, that theme is destroyed in favor of sheets of sound, guitar abuse, and chaos. Ugly beauty? You bet!
Reviewer: Mark Saleski
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Related Links
The Dozens: Twelve Essential Pat Metheny Tracks by Mark Saleski
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Tags: ecm
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