First Circle

by Pat Metheny Group, Pat Metheny

Overview

In First Circle, the Pat Metheny Group settled into a lineup that lasted for quite a while -- with Metheny, keyboardist Lyle Mays, bassist Steve Rodby, and new drummer Paul Wertico forming the core quartet. The ever-restless Metheny also mixes up the music, not quite leaving the Brazilian glide behind but coming up with some fascinating permutations always affixed with his personal stamp. "Forward March," the album opener, is a bizarre parody full of detuned instruments and half-cocked trumpet from Mays; one wonders if this was directed at a few silly skirmishes of the day (Grenada? the Falklands?). "The First Circle" has Brazilian elements, but now in the service of a grander architectural context, while nothing could be simpler and yet more sophisticated than the delicate ballad "If I Could." "End of the Game" might be the best track on the record, equipped with a beautiful pop-flavored set of tunes and harmonies, with a rock beat fused to the floating ambience of South America as personified by the new Argentine percussionist/vocalist Pedro Aznar. "Praise," the closer, is an out-and-out rock tune, an affirmative flip side of "Forward March" and the last of a series of delightful surprises. ~ Richard S. Ginell

Product Details

Release Date:	11/04/2016
Label:	Imports
UPC:	4988031178096

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Pat Metheny Group   Primary Artist
Pat Metheny   Primary Artist,Soloist,Synclavier,Synthesizer,Slide Guitar,Steel String,Guitar (Steel),Sitar (Electric),Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric),Synclavier Guitar,Guitar (12 String),Guitar (Classical),Guitar (Synthesizer),Guitar (12 String Acoustic),Sitar,Guitar
Lyle Mays   Primary Artist,Bells,Organ,Piano,Trumpet,Keyboards,Agogo Bell,Synclavier,Synthesizer,Oberheim Synthesizer
Paul Wertico   Primary Artist,Drums,Cymbals,Drums (Snare)
Pedro Aznar   Primary Artist,Whistle (Human),Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (12 String),Guitar (Classical),Whistle (Instrument),Guitar (Nylon String),Guitar (12 String Acoustic),Bells,Guitar,Vocals,Voices,Percussion,Glockenspiel
Steve Rodby   Primary Artist,Bass,Drums (Bass),Guitar (Bass),Bass (Acoustic),Bass (Electric)

Technical Credits

Pat Metheny   Composer,Producer,Performer
Jan Erik Kongshaug   Engineer
David Oakes   Producer,Assistant Producer,Production Assistant
Rob Eaton   Assistant Engineer
Tom Sheehan   Producer,Assistant Producer,Production Assistant
Vance Anderson   Producer,Assistant Producer,Production Assistant
Paul Natkin   Photography
William Clift   Photography
Jerry Radas   Producer,Assistant Producer,Production Assistant
Barbara Wojirsch   Cover Design
Juan Castagnola   Photography
Niki Gatos   Producer,Assistant Producer,Production Assistant
Pedro Aznar   Composer,Lyricist
Lyle Mays   Composer
Pat Metheny Group   Performer