Learning to love "The Way Up" - Pat Metheny Group

The first time I heard “The Way Up” from Pat Metheny Group my reaction was not “I love it”.

Its a 68 minute single piece which starts with a manic feel (Jazz meets MTV?) then goes off on tangents and through many variations of mood. It’s been in the car CD player for more than two weeks so I’ve heard it many times, plus several end to end home & headphone sessions, and now I do love it.

There are aspects of many previous releases but this is far from a rehash. It’s a piece that continues to reward as you discover something new every time you listen. The form reminds me a little of As Falls Wichita, So Falls Wichita Falls, one of my favourite early PMG albums/tracks, but there are many other influences apparent. There are some short samples on the Amazon page but 4 minutes give you little idea of the real impact of the complete work. If you like PMG its worth a listen, and another, and another, and another…. just don’t judge and dismiss it the first time. “The Way Up” will be high on my PMG favourites list, maybe even at the top.

PS: One member missing from the PMG line-up is Mark Ledford who was wonderful on the CD/DVD’s We Live Here and Secret Story. Tonight I was sad to learn that he died late last year. What a loss. There is a obituary by Todd S Jenkins here.