Still Life (Talking)

Pat Metheny

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Original Release Date: 1987
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Geffen Records
• ASIN: B000000OQD
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (51 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #78,535 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording
Pat Metheny's open-hearted odyssey through music has encompassed fleet jazz, garage rock, and avant-garde chaos, but this 1987 hit finds its most significant wrinkle in the band's increased emphasis on Brazilian accents and vocalise choruses, using three singers (including percussionist-vocalist Armando Marcal and singers David Blamires and Mark Ledford) to augment the core quartet of Metheny, keyboardist Lyle Mays, bassist Steve Rodby, and drummer Paul Wertico. Metheny by now comfortably integrates his own guitar synthesizers into Mays's seasoned electronic orchestrations, and Still Life (Talking) is by turns sunny, wistful, and kinetic. The Brazilian aesthetic gives us the lovely opener, "Minuano (Six Eight)" and colors "So May It Secretly Begin." Metheny's instinctive, American sensibility is rooted in his Plains upbringing and the prairie-wide sound that his music has always evoked. The album's best-known piece, "Last Train Home," revives the sound of electric sitar to unexpected emotional effect. --Sam Sutherland

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MUSIC MUSIC MUSIC, March 2, 2000

By	R. Penola (NYC, NY United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

With virtually every cut on this extraordinary CD, Pat Metheny surprises, touches, moves and delights you. This album is one of those rare perfect things in life; every sound seems as if it was meant to be, at that moment, in the world, right now -- like magic. Though I love everything on this record, it is Last Train Home, with its rush of melancholy voices in its final stretch, that is my absolute favorite. Buy Buy Buy...

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Brilliant!, September 22, 2004

By	Lisa Brown (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I'd give this cd 100 stars if I could. I have to write a review of this cd because it is absolutely stunning. I don't particularly like jazz, everything else in my cd collection is classic rock, old school goth or alternative British bands, but Pat Metheny's work is so exquisite irrespective of categories, anyone who appreciates deeply moving, lush, rhymthic, beautiful music will be more than pleased. This album was my introduction to Metheny, flipping through radio stations in 1989 I heard it... like a gush of audio ecstasy flooding through my speakers "Minuano (Six Eight)". This song is so overwhelming. It's not just an audio experience but a complete sensory experience. I feel free as the wind as the music flows like a clean, fresh morning breeze with the hope that comes with the start of a new day. I don't mean to wax mystical or new agey, but Metheny is really like a spiritual experience for me. The only thing that excels his cds is seeing the entire group live. I can't tell you how overjoyed I feel when I know the Pat Metheny Group is coming to town. I've been lucky enough to see him with Lyle Mays and Mark Ledford who plays a number of instruments and his vocals transport you to an otherworldly place. Pat's audience is a mixture of every shade, lifestyle, age... because brilliance is appreciated by all who hear it. I own quite a number of his albums, but if you're looking for a good place to start this is the one! Metheny's music on your worst day makes you so happy to be alive.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How I Fell in Love With Pat Metheny, February 28, 2004

By	"snoticus" (Morristown, New Jersey United States) - See all my reviews

As a jazz guitarist I've felt that I had to like Pat Metheny, although for years I hated his playing and would turn to a Scofield or Frisell record. This is not to say I didn't respect him or his amazing technique but I just couldn't get into any of his music. It has been about a year since this point of view has changed completely and I can still remember the exact point where I knew he was special. I was studying for a History AP test and I felt like listening to something new. I had a couple of Metheny albums which I quickly filed away but for one last time due to some pestering by others I forced myself to listen to Still Life (Talking) all the way through. As I listened I still thought that it was good but nothing great until Third Wind came on and Metheny hit that solo break. That moment just messed with head forever. It was a trip. From then on I have been in a search for as much Metheny I can find and liked most of it (even zero tolerance). This is still probably my favorite Metheny record and for his detractors, I guarantee you will fall in love.