Customer Reviews

Imaginary Day

5 star:		(49)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I purchased Imgainary Day a few years ago and it has been my favourite Metheny album of all and, indeed, one of my favourite albums. What is most impressive is the versatility of the group, flowing from world beat, to jazz, to rock, and back. There is an intense variety here and it is complemented by the richness and fullness of the sounds. Another aspect of this album is the subtle nuances of sound such as the little bells, 'tick' sounds, chimes, 'wind' noises etc. These add to the already-complex soundstage.

Now, a few days ago, I received my order from Amazon which was a DVD-audio disk of Imaginay Day. (this requires a dvd player nad a surround sound system). As I mentionned before, there are many subtle sounds that one might not notice usually but with a DVD-audio disk, the sound opens up and becomes more full than you could ever have hoped for. The winds and ticking sounds are heard and one becomes aware of all these little sounds that make this album great. (Not to mention the incredible 5.1 channel surround sound engineering).

If you love Pat Metheny, get this album. However, I suggest a dvd-audio disk if you want to experience the music to it's full potential. DVD-audio is the way this album was meant to be heard and it doesn't disapoint. It won't be leaving my DVD player for a long time...

As a long time PMG fan, I must take issue with some of the negative comments made. This CD has just recently taken me through a good portion of the State of Florida and allowed me to reacquaint myself with it with at least 10 more plays. First there are very very few CD's that I have ever listened to 10 times since I get bored very easily. Second while there is a wide range of musical approaches taken, every song has merit on its own. Lastly there are at least two songs worth the purchase alone as great PMG - numbers 2 and 9 since I know them mostly through my car CD player. I think this CD is well worth buying.

before buying the dvd-audio I was looking for a review specifically for this format, but found none. now that I own one I can review it myself.
the best thing about DVD is that it has 5.1 discreet channels, and rob eaton mixed it specifically for that. hearing 'imaginary day' in 5.1 channels is trully an amazing experience. The extra channels add much more depth to the music. the center is used only for exotic sounds and to stress the peaks. the fronts and rears are litterally conducting a conversation. metheny's guitar say something in the fronts and lyle keyboards (or some other instrument) answer in the rears. so far about the musical content. As for the DVD program itself - I must admit it has it's shortcommings and hence the 4 stars. The disk won't start playing until you turn on the TV set and walk through the menus. I don't actually use a DVD-audio player but a plain old toshiba dvd video player. The disk automatically reconize my gear and launch the dolby digital software. the problem with dvd-videos is that you cannot see the elapsed time of the tracks, or do a fast-forward or rewind and program/random playing (I guess a real dvd-audio player supports all the features). you can skip tracks, but only because the DVD video software was designed for that.
And the worst thing was that my toshiba sd-210 halts around the 7th minute of the first track and the 5th track, so you can never hear the end of these tracks. this was not a defected disk because I replaced it at the store. I believe it is some kind of compatiblity problem.
If I had a dvd-audio player (and I will have some day) I would rate it five stars (maybe even 6) `cause the music is really great.

I purchased this CD around Christmas '97 and continue to listen to it from time to time. If I had to pick a deserted island CD, this would probably be it. Everything from the killer guitar solo at the end of the opening track to the hypnotic `A Story Within a Story' is just flawless (what do you expect from PMG?). Also, pick up the DVD Audio version if you have a home theater system. It's incredible.

I saw them in 2002 (front row). The musicianship was breathtaking. If you ever get a chance to see PMG, take it. You won't regret it.

Just by listening to the first 30' of the album I could anticipate that Imaginary Day was going to be a very innovative, sophisticated, free-styled, and experimental album which I personally enjoy very much. With a great variety of instruments and sounds, rhythms, and concepts the album compares more to the Mahavishnu Orchestra approach to jazz, Dimeola's progressive jazz electric projects and also Weather Report, which is a departure from the classic Pat Metheny's Group sound. There are still some traces of Metheny's sound trademark, i.e. the first part of the second theme, which is a bit more redictable, however it features a surprising change of rhythm and ambience which goes perfect with the album's pattern.

Recommendation: To those listeners who seek for a futuristic and free jazz sound and are willing to open the door to fusion of styles and creativity. I enjoy the heavier sound in the guitar soloing of Metheny, which is closer to "rock" sound but using jazz music scales. I perceive that every musician in this album went an extra miles in his playing and innovating in order to achieve a unique creative, progressive, jazz album.

In summary: If you are a purist get the Metheny 99-00 Trio, but if you are into fussion of rock/ blues/jazz and improv. get this album which features one of the best jazz guitar players world wide plus one of the best modern jazz bands in this style.

A brilliant work, and no this review isn't of much help really, but I'd like to forward a theory about the guitar solo in the prog rocker Roots of Coincidence: PM had been listening to Tribal Tech guitarist Scott Henderson in the mid 90's as Scott moved away from compositional jazz-fusion toward fearless, bluesy, attitude-driven free-form guitar, decided Scott was having way too much fun at it - and with songs like "Canine" on TT's Face First who could argue? - thusly deciding to stake his claim on this invigorating new ground. It's good, interesting, but fleeting and disjointed, and Scott does it better. Still, what PMG here, on Imaginary Day as elsewhere, are able to render as musical generalists, by selecting from the full pallette of sonic colors and using each to maximum effect, ah! This, the artistic specialists and the attitude-driven often by contrast find elusive.

I really think this album pretty much defines Pat's sound and vision as a musician. Although we can't put limitations on his ingenius potential, this is by far the most mature album the band has produced.

The first time I listened to it, I immediately found myself in love with the complexity of texture and the warmth in the songs. "Into the Dream" captures you with a feeling that you're surrounded by fantastical and vivid images. It's crazy. The album flows incredibly well throughout and it's pretty unpredictable as well. The group very much surprises me everytime I hear them. And the chemistry between the members is scary. Anyway, before I really start rambling, the album is totally infectious and I recommend it to anyone, Pat's fans of course and newcomers to the world of his music! Enjoy!

ps...you haven't lived if you've missed him live! z

If you like the complexity and adventursome nature of jazz, you'll love this one. One of PMG's best, up there with First
circle, Secret Story, We live Here and Watermelon. Lots of variety and experimentation here,so it takes a while to digest this album.

This cd was the last recording with Paul Wertico the drummer of that period. The PMG's latest album "Speaking of Now" is due 2/12/02. This cd IS a brilliant cd. It's a look into the mind of two brilliant men that are everything of what is Jazz is about- change and growth. Anyone that says they understand jazz and then says they wish they'd keep playing the brazilian styles from the 80's I just can't get. Pat is a true jazz musician in every word. He evolves and will continue to do so. He also is a VERY strong composition writer, which is probably his strongest point. There are many imitations (brian hughes, etc) but there is only one Pat Metheny. He is probably the strongest living REAL jazz artist living today who genuinely advancing jazz into the next century.

First time I heard this record I was NOT prepared. Even after the 5th time I didn't know what to make of it. If you think Pat is obvious and predictable, well, this WILL change your mind.

I think this music is astounding. It is so complex, so tightly woven, so "rational" in its development its hard to believe that it was created in a very fast collaberation with Lyle Mays over the course of just a few weeks. I think its fair to say that most people think "Secret Story" is Pat's finest work. I certainly think it is as well, but this record is a VERY close second. In many ways its even more of a musical departure for Pat.

Some of the pieces here, specifically "The Roots of Coincidence", "Follow Me", and "Into the Dream" are fantastic music. Its hard to describe how strange and wonderful this music is, but in a real way its like Pat and Lyle have created music for a country that doesn't exist.

If you fall in love with this music, the Pat Metheny Group web site (patmethenygroup.com) has a wonderful section all about this record and it is well worth reading Pat's own analysis of the compositions (you have to drill a bit to get past the marketing fluff).