Pat Metheny, Secret Story Review

Overall Rating

Pat Metheny, Secret Story - To listen to Pat Metheny is like opening your soul to a higher power. This album must be one, if not the, best kept secret in jazz. Grammy winning, yes, but, somehow that doesn't seem to do it justice. There are few artists, and even fewer musicians who have an overwhelming ability to do what is absolutely right, Pat Metheny is one. "Secret Story" has been with me on vinyl, cassette and CD since its release. Track 6, "Sunlight", is the quintessence of what Pat does. It seems a simple enough little tune, but the layers, and the sheer sound take you aback. Not only is Pat probably the finest exponent of improvisational jazz, but he makes it accessible, (even when recording with Ornette Coleman or Derek Bailey!). I have never, and will never grow tired of this CD, and its music will never go stale, or become out-dated, simply because it comes from one man's soul to yours. In England there is a radio programme called "Desert Island Discs", which has been going since the dawn of time, (so it seems), this CD should be secreted into every castaway's bag. Music like this should be played in schools, what price would we pay, only to have our kids grow up with the knowledge that you can do "your own thing" and thrill other people into the bargain. 10 out of 10, yes, and then more. Thanks Pat.