Customer Reviews

Beyond The Missouri Sky (Short Stories)

5 star:		(51)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Pat Metheny and Charlie Haden are apparently close neighbours, well, that much is now obvious. These two masterful musicians have become one in a most wonderful way, so close that they're almost the same person.

The recording has an earthy, very "real" sound to it, Metheny is sitting over there, Haden just over there, and you're alone with them, listening to these two masters entertain you. It is an intimate record, to be listened to when you're feeling extremely comfortable for it to achieve its maximum effect.

The melodies and chord choices are superlative, generally I know where they're going to take the tune, but when they make different choices I realise why they're in the league that they are. The results can haunt me, lift me, leave me wondering just how they could have made that melodic line so perfect.

It is not at all provocative, it doesn't jarr the senses in any way. It soothes and relaxes as it passes by. If there has to be any criticism of the record it cannot be directed at the musicianship, which is of the highest order. A number of similar-sounding tracks can eventually coalesce in the memory, and that is a problem here, there are peaks of pleasure and plains of placidity, but they're subtle, and the musical landscape ends up looking rather like the sumptuous cover art.

The only recording niggle I might direct at the recording is that some of Pat's more percussive acoustic notes come awfully close to distorting the recording on a couple of tracks. Depending upon my mood these sometimes enhance that "two masters in your living room" effect, and at other times I'll feel that they're intrusive.

As soon as I bought this album and found such beauty I passed on a recommendation to a friend with similarly avant-garde tastes in other areas (I regularly listen to Bill Nelson, David Torn, Fripp, Russell Mills, Allan Holdsworth etc but appreciate Metheny's tremendous musicality nonetheless). My friend was immediately captured by the same spell. In the years we've known each other he's never used the word "beautiful" to describe any music he's ever talked about, except for "Missouri sky ...".

This has been a big seller, and with Pat Metheny one might wary that is because of a certain commercial blandness, albeit a pretty and pleasing one. And while the record is lovely, the beauty of it comes from a real strength in playing by Haden and Metheny, and especially a focus and discipline to accept the spare sound of guitar and base for it's own qualities, and not overdue the production or the repetoire. The tunes are collected from each player and also some country and folk classics, and each is a real gem. Haden is straight forward and simple and always interesting - he's one of the very few bass players who realizes that a lovely tune just needs to be played, and nothing more. Metheny displays an ideal balance between chops and taste. The album is quiet and low-key, yet totally engrossing; it demans your listening attention and captures it. Most importantly, it's absolutely beautiful in sound and sentiment. A real surprise, and a great, great record.

For those who know each of Haden's and Metheny's careers, this is an unusual album, somewhat out of the "mainstream". Similarly, do not expect to find similarities to other past Metheny-Haden projects such as the "Rejoicing" CD. Yet, both musicians deliver a solid musical communication that trascends their respective musical paths. That is perhaps what makes this album unique. Guitar-bass interactions go hand in hand, nothing on top of anything. Not-so-very-acoustic elements have been nicely incorporated into the recording. This is a rare opportunity to fully listen to Pat Metheny playing the acoustic guitar. At times his play is a bit rough (too much electric fingering?), but overall his performance is excellent. It reminds me of his earlier collaboration with Milton Nascimento's "Angelus" CD where Metheny plays the acoustic guitar on the track titled "amor amigo" on this 1994 album.

If you do not know Pat Metheny and Charlie Haden, I nevertheless recommend this album for the jazz listener. For most of the tunes, the performing quality of both artists will fly over any musical preconceptions. Buy it.

I have liked both of these performers and bought the CD in a sentimental mood because I'm from Missouri. It fits my serene moments, whether a companionable Sunday morning, a reflective afternoon, or a romantic evening. The music is quiet, melodic, poetic, and powerful.

Sometimes listening too closely and too critically impedes the hearing process. Charlie Haden and Pat Metheny delve into the realms of quiet, pulsing, minimalist presentation, expressing a shared vision inspired by calm.

Admittedly, it's taken some time for me to appreciate the strengths of this collaboration between these two musicians from Missouri, the hear me state, for purposes of this review. Rather than listening head on, I've found that listening obliquely seems best. The melodies swirl around in aural pools, languish a bit, and meander on like leaves floating on a slow creek.

There is plenty of space here, as Mr. Haden sometimes tacks a counterpoint on his bass and sometimes takes the lead. Mr. Metheny does not really forge any flights of fancy yet he achieves a great deal by keeping within the lines.

Certainly not for everyone, "Missouri Sky" has and will offer a calming grace to many.

We jazz fans all over the globe know all the faces that Pat pulled out from his "magical bag" in the past years. Pat is known for having:
1)a straight jazz activity; collaborations with M. Brecker, O. Coleman, G. Burton and... you name it!
2)a "quite rock" occasional side; Joni Mitchell and possible others along the way
3)a more commercial, popular, but not to be overlooked at all, activity/production with the Pat Metheny group
4)a kind of "world music" side: "Secret story" tells everything already but listen to "A map of the world" soundtrack
5)an "experimental" side: "Zero tolerance for silence" reached my personal quite high tolerance threshold within seconds!...
Now we can also add the
6) "Intimate-romantic-acoustic-melodic" with this experiment in a duo with Bass-Master Charlie Haden. Obviously it might be mistaken as "bedtime music", at first, but once you realize the amount of concentration, the tight interplay between the two, the overall quality and (more important) once you're in the mood for this album, it will unfold, will open your heart and will stay there for quite awhile. If today you feel active, nervous, somehow "on the beat", please leave it on the shelf and get any other good mainstream jazz or crossover, techno, fusion music: you know what you like better than me! Spare this one, instead, for a quiet evening, maybe on a Sunday in which you just want to feel relaxed and cradled by superb music. No action DVDs, big orchestras or super expensive productions: just these two guys playing togheter and enjoying while creating an incredible piece of beautiful art. A MASTERPIECE. Don't miss it.

I am not a jazz expert. I bought this a year ago because I was captivated by the album title. Since then, these "short stories" have wiggled their way into my heart, and I now listen to them with awe. Peaceful, lovely, passionate and gentle music. Full of wonder and an understated, calming spirituality. Unusual clarity and memorable melodies, with the warmth of two great personalities and a very special friendship behind them.

Could poetry express without words? Every single song is so deep and complete tht lives alone. You travel ten feet high, with your mind you're in thousnd different places with the sensation of being always at home. It someting like being Tom Sawyer, on a raft in a lazy riverbeing amazing of the world. To listen to this album is one of that thing in life that surprise you and give a sense of comfort: in life could always happen something wonderfull!

Together, Haden and Metheny produced an album whose music goes miles beyond the ordinary strum and pluck bluegrass. You won't regret a hitchhiked ride 'Beyond the Missouri Sky'; time and again, Haden and Metheny graciously take you across varied and wondrous landscapes to the destination of your choice. I've taken the ride many times, which is why I've come to believe this special collaboration deserves more "passengers", a universal audience.

First of all this is not a jazz album, but if you like quiet relaxing music Beyond The Missouri Sky is good way to get a glimpse of the musical universe of Pat Metheny. You never know what you're going get from Pat Metheny when he either releases an album or joins a project. Either you love it or you hate it and there really isn't anything in between according to my oppion. This one I really love. This recording is a result of many years of friendship. The excellent bass sound of Charlie Haden and the guitarsound of Pat Metheny fills the room with harmony. Just sit back relax, enjoy, and go Beyond the Missoury Sky.