Brand new Pat Metheny album coming this February
The US guitar legend says this is the record he has been waiting to make his whole life
Last updated 19th Feb 2020
Pat Metheny has unveiled details of a new album, and given us a sneak preview of the opening track. The US guitar legend says this new project, titled ‘From This Place’ is the album he’s been wanting to make his entire life, a culmination of thousands of hours spent with his all-star band including drummer Antonio Sanchez, British pianist Gwilym Simcock and Austrailian bassist Linda Oh, as well as a guest appearance from Meshell Ndegeocello who sings the title track. Pat says he was able to write with his musicians in mind but the recording sessions were creative and spontaneous, with orchestral arrangements recorded afterwards.
He says “Ron Carter explained to me that Miles Davis had a philosophy that he applied to that particular line-up his quintet. He wanted that band to develop a code through playing that familiar music night after night together that could then later be applied to the creation of a new way of playing together in the studio. A common language that would combine the familiarity that the players had with each other through playing those older tunes with the freshness of what new compositions might offer in the studio, creating the best of both worlds."
"The currency that I have been given the privilege to trade in over these years put its primary value on the timeless and transcendent nature of what makes music music. Music continually reveals itself to be ultimately and somewhat oddly impervious to the ups and downs of the transient details that may even have played a part in its birth. Music retains its nature and spirit even as the culture that forms it fades away, much like the dirt that creates the pressure around a diamond is long forgotten as the diamond shines on. I hope this record might stand as a testament to my ongoing aspiration to honor those values."
Metheny has won 20 Grammys and last year was honoured with The Gold Award at the Jazz FM Awards. The new album ‘From This Place’ is released worldwide on February 21st.
More on Pat Metheny's website.