The Pat Metheny Interviews [Paperback]

Richard Niles (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2009

Pat Metheny is one of the most critically acclaimed, commercially successful, and musically significant artists of the last 50 years. He has not only revolutionized his instrument, but also changed the face of jazz itself. In 2007, composer, arranger, and performer Richard Niles wrote and produced a three-part series of in-depth interviews for the BBC titled Pat Metheny - Bright Size Life. This book is comprised of these never-before-printed interviews and discussions with Metheny, whom Niles has known and worked with since 1974. In this series of intimate, in-depth interviews, Metheny * reveals why he was driven toward music with a stratospheric drive and dedication * uncovers the inner workings of his creative mind, showing step by step how he set and achieved each of his own demanding goals * describes his methodology as a guitarist, improviser, and composer * demonstrates his concepts and methodologies on the guitar. Niles has transcribed these unique musical performances for the book. Some of Metheny's closest colleagues, including Lyle Mays, Gary Burton, Jack DeJohnette, John Patitucci, Metheny's brother Mike, and the late Michael Brecker, have contributed to the book, which also includes numerous photographs and a discography.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Richard Niles is a recording artist, composer, producer, songwriter, arranger, conductor, musical director, critically acclaimed BBC broadcaster, educator, and author. His career spans pop, R&B, rock, and jazz, and his credits include work with such greats as Paul McCartney, Ray Charles, Tina Turner, Cher, Mariah Carey, Pat Metheny, Michael McDonald, and Jane Monheit, among others.

Product Details

• Paperback: 161 pages
• Publisher: Hal Leonard (October 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1423474694
• ISBN-13: 978-1423474692
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #663,892 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Pat Metheny Interviews, December 17, 2009

By 

Babs "amateur cook" (London) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Pat Metheny Interviews (Paperback)

This book is written by one of the best musicologists in the business. Niles has been interviewing many of the great people in the current music world. This book is great. He gets so much out of his subjests and Metheny is one of the greats of current music. It's interesting that Metheny was Niles' teacher at Berkeley College of Music. Niles is one of the great orchestraters and someone that excels in every field of music.This is worth shef space in your library. You'll want to browse it again.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Insight to Musical Greatness, December 7, 2009

By 

Stephen Rowland - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Pat Metheny Interviews (Paperback)

Richard Niles has written a terrific, in depth musical biography, based on his personal interviews with one of the jazz world's most gifted and influential guitarists. Pat Metheny's originality, compositions and innovative musicianship has thrilled and inspired lovers of jazz guitar throughout the world.
Author Richard Niles' close friendship with Metheny has allowed him to interview and relate in explicit style and with extreme accuracy the focused and compelling journey that has made Pat Metheny one of the greatest jazz guitarists of all time.
This is a must read.
Steve Rowland (Record Producer, London, England)

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Nothing really "in depth" at all......, March 14, 2010

By 

David J. Ohanlon "David J OHanlon" (Lilyfield, NSW Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Pat Metheny Interviews (Paperback)

I think a little reality check is needed with this publication.
Firstly, this is a presumably faithful transcript of four radio interviews (plus brief comments from Gary Burton & others) - it is NOT an in-depth biography or exploration of "all things" Metheny; for this, I think a journey through Pat's website (particularly the "Q&A" Section) has far more detail, particularly for the period before "Speaking of Now".
Secondly, the interviews are conducted more in the nature of a "fawning" fan than a musicologist - I'm not dissing the man's credentials but alas there's too much familiarity here & not enough genuine questioniong/critiquing or dare I say controversy (eg what does Pat think of his Kenny G comments 20(?) years on; what does he think of Wynton Marsalis' views on "jazz" etc??). Others have noted that Niles' closeness to Metheny allows him to get "more" out of him but to my mind, having read lots of interviews with Pat, I find he is pretty open & forthcoming in all of them.
Thirdly, seems to me that Metheny's pre-Nonesuch career is already pretty well documented so I was REALLY hoping that this book would spend a lot of time exploring the period from & including "Speaking of Now" & that magnificent opus "The Way Up"(new Band members, philosophy behind TWU etc etc). Alas in hastening to the "present" (ie. the Trio dates with Sanchez & McBride) the interviews skate over this period almost as if it never existed.
So, overall not a "bad" book but hardly satisfying for anyone wanting to really get down deep inside this acclaimed musician.