Free Jazz Music

I could see how a lot of Pat Metheny fans would be immediately turned off by this album because it is drastically different from his usual melodic and "smoother" work, but if you keep an open mind, this album provides an amazing listening experience.

The album is simply Metheny playing guitar by himself using lots of distortion and overdubbing. He dips in and out of melodic and atonal lines and creates amazing textures that are legitimately beautiful in their own right. The music really opened my mind to different kinds of melody and harmony. One of my favorites, for sure.

This CD documents the torture of musical instruments. It is not music, it is noise. Sad that a musician as great as Metheny would produce garbage like this. Give this CD to someone you really hate.

I've been a fan of Pat Metheny and his music for 30 years. I can't imagine what was going on in his mind when he recorded this.

I had a long horrible review that I wrote but I just can't post it. This is freeking Pat Metheny and I have to say this is a rather small bleep in his musical career.

The last thing I'll say is if you're a Pat Metheny fan. I would not recommend this cd.

YMMV

Simply Pat Metheny in a room with a guitar, overdubbed to the max. It is beautiful. Pat Metheny is definitely virtuoso and although he'd never say so, I love this pseudo-tribute to free jazz. Pat Metheny fans definitely be wary, it is not the same as everything else he has done. Put some effort into listening this and you will be rewarded. This is the sort of thing that when you appreciate it, you will have opened a door to the philosophy of listening to music and sound. Take the step if you dare...

The townhouse next door to mine was for sale. The realtor brought a very unsavory-looking couple to look at it and I thought, "Oh, I hope THEY don't move in!" Suddenly, I had a brainstorm! I opened all the windows to my house, inserted Zero Tolerance in the CD player- and cranked it up!!!
Needless to say, the prospective buyers left very shortly thereafter and were never seen again.
I love Pat Metheny and I would buy any of his albums without a listen prior to the release of this monstrosity.

Let mi be honest and straightforward - the audio tape of this compillation was among my favourite early purchases in the field of jazz, so I can hardly be anything but personal and emotional about this cd... After all, it even adds Cecil Taylor (p) with the group that includes Steve Lacy (ss) really digging into Billy Strayhorn's tune...
Actually, it also adds The Jazz Messengers featuring Keith Jarrett (and Chuck Mangione), playing Mangione's tune, but that's not so significant...

I'm not saying that all the numbers are well selected, representative of the respective artist or even that all are very good, but I must say that even today I like to listen to Bud Powell's "The Fruit", Charlie Parker's orchestra (featuring Dizzy and Monk) toying with "My Melancholy Baby"...
One of my favourites is also Red Garland's trio digging into "Daahoud" (Sam Jones on bass and roy brooks on drums)...

Since the stylistic span is from be-bop and mainstream to fusion and avant-guarde I really think this is a good intro to modern jazz.
It also features Modern Jazz Quartet, Bill Evans, Cal Tjader (feat. Chick Corea, Attila Zoler), Herbie Hancock (feat. George Benson, Ron Carter, Billy Cobham), Erroll Garner, Lennie Tristano (with Billy Bauer-g) Oscar Peterson trio (Ray Brown -b, Ed Thigpen - dm)...

This is one of the best modern pianist compilation than a label has ever made. Although not all the great modern pianist are present, you could hear the essence of modern piano. Maybe the titles aren't the best of every performer, but at least you can have an good example of everyone.

At last! Internationally renowned modern jazz genius, Greg Murphy, finally takes pity on jazz hungry ears with the release of Let's Get Started. After a career spanning two decades, taking him from the States, across Europe, to Japan, China and back again, Murphy offers his unique talent to the public in this, his first album recording as a leader of his own band. Starting out in Chicago and New Orleans in the 80's, where he studied with prominent pianist Ellis Marsalis after winning a National Endowment study grant, Murphy has been a part of, and worked with some of the best names in the business; Percussion incorporated, The Fusicians, The New Orleans Jazz Couriers, Carlos Santana, Cindy Blackman, Raphael Cruz, Archie Shepp and the unmistakable Rashied Ali. Already featured on five successful albums, including Meditations, No One In Particular, Heart-Sound, and A Mano, Let's Get Started is a delicious showcase of swinging Murphy originals, enriched by the talented Dale Robbins and the rock-steady beat of John Brown on the drums. Electrifying bass, percussion and counter-melody tease through sophisticated tunes like "Little Miss Tigerfish" or the haunting re-work of "Stranded," shaping a finger-snapping, foot-tapping feast for us all. And the icing on the Snap Happy, jazz sizzled cake? You can currently catch Greg at The Ritz-Carlton on Nanjing Lu, where he indulges the public with hot shifting tunes in the Second Floor Lounge Bar, every Tuesday-Sunday evening. Go on; treat yourself to that groovin' jazz-funk fusion.

Let's Get Started is full of driving energy and lyrical beauty. It swings and surprises. Just when you're nearing your fill of one of the trio's complex rhythms, they switch tempo or return to one of the lovely melodies that make this CD thoughtful and haunting. Just when you think this CD is about technical mastery, you notice the harmonious blend that gives each player an essential role. I can't classify Let's Get Started by style. I just know that when I listen to it I feel I'm in the hands of people (composer Greg Murphy on piano and keyboards, Dale Robbins on electric bass and John Brown on drums) who know what they're doing, and they do it very well indeed. Let's Get Started is complex but accessible to anyone who recognizes original work done with love and skill.

This music alternately rocks, wails, is pensive and quirky. I love the compositions and musicianship of the players. This is one of my favorite Ronald Shannon Jackson recordings. It's only bested by "Barbeque Dog"