I enjoyed a fantastic jazz concert last night. One of the groups played a Metheny piece and that performance reminded me how much I like this CD. I had a dubbed cassette copy of this album after it was released, listened to it quite a bit back in 1985 then left it for quite a while. About ten years ago, I was surprised to find myself humming the second track from this album and ordered a CD copy immediately. Discovering this music all over again was a joy. To me, this is a collection of uplifting, joyous music made by fantastic musicians offering up some incredible performances, most notably by longtime Metheny collaborator Lyle Mays as well as Argentine percussionist/vocalist/guitarist Pedro Aznar. The album won the Grammy Award for Best Jazz Fusion Performance in 1985. I've listened to many Metheny albums, but I always come back to this one.
Press of the time:
- Billboard: "more accessible, uptempo exercises in modern fusion, while still testing the band's horizons."
- Downbeat (★★★★★): "the range of his music is unmatched by any of his contemporaries (and few of his elders).
- Musician: "his previous work has led us to expect more"
Album chart peaks:
- US Billboard 200: #91
- Billboard Jazz: #2
- CashBox: #69
- CashBox Jazz: #1
- R&R Jazz Radio National Airplay: #1
- Rolling Stone: #41
Tracks: After starting the album with the dismal Forward March (today may be only the 2nd time I've sat through the entire track), we're treated to three great songs in a row: Yolanda You Learn, the title track, and the beautiful ballad If I Could. What was side two isn't as strong as side one, but the album ends strong with Praise.
Personal Memory Associated with this CD: I've never been much of a DCI drum corps guy, but I did see The Blue Devils perform a fair arrangement of the title track in 1985. That was another lifetime.
Previously revisited for the blog:
Steve Reich - Different Trains, Electric Counterpoint (1989)
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