Pat Metheny - New Chautauqua (1979)

In which Metheny plays all the parts (electric 6 and 12 string guitars, acoustic guitar, 15 string harp guitar, electric bass), overdubbed many times over in a studio in Oslo, Norway. Part of the allure of jazz is the interplay between musicians and, of course, that's missing here. However, Metheny is so talented as to mostly make up for that. Truly a solo release, Metheny begins toying with more of a heartland/Americana style of playing that incorporates elements of country music.

According to my copy of Top Pop Albums, this album has been Metheny's highest charting album on the Billboard 200 to date. It's not my favorite Metheny, but it's perfectly enjoyable and pairs well with American Garage and/or what was side 2 of Wichita. I could do without the superimposed negative image of Metheny on an otherwise appropriate album cover image, but word has it that Metheny doesn't like it either and unsuccessfully attempted to change it.

Finally, a little bonus ECM trivia courtesy of the July 28, 1979 issue of Billboard magazine:

Ratings/reviews:

• Rolling Stone: "prototypical chamber jazz - and if somebody has to lull and wheedle the masses with it, better Metheny than Mangione."
• CashBox: "should continue the growth pattern of Metheny's career"
• High Fidelity: "Once the initial astonishment over Metheny's mechanical skills wears off, surprisingly little musical fascination remains."
• Record World: "Metheny is fast becoming a major progressive jazz soloist."
• Walrus!: "Impressionistic jazz."
• Billboard: "Each of the six original compositions are tasty with crossover potential."
• DownBeat (★★★): "Metheny remains a conceptual lightweight with a heavyweight technique, appealing to a listenership far wider than it is deep."
• The Rolling Stone Jazz & Blues Album Guide (1999): ★★★★
• The Virgin Encyclopedia of Jazz (1999): ★★★★
• The Penguin Guide to Jazz (5th ed., 2000): ★★★

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard Top 200: #44
• Billboard Jazz: #3
• Record World Jazz: #6
• CashBox: #67
• CashBox Jazz: #5
• Rolling Stone: #42

Tracks: The title track is easily my favorite, followed by the delicate Country Poem, then Sueño Con Mexico and the second half of Daybreak. My least favorite cut is the New Agey noodling found on track 3, Long Ago Child/Fallen Star.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None

Previously revisited for the blog:

:rarum IX (2004)	Travels (1983)
Different Trains (1989)	Offramp (1982)
Letter From Home (1989)	As Falls Wichita... (1981)
Still Life (Talking) (1987)	80/81 (1980)
The Falcon & The Snowman (1985)	American Garage (1979)
Rejoicing (1984)	Watercolors (1977)
First Circle (1984)