As Falls Wichita. So Falls Wichita Falls

パット・メセニーと盟友のキーボード奏者ライル・メイズ、ブラジル出身の打楽器奏者ナナ・ヴァスコンセロスと3人でつくりあげたトーン・ポエム、1981年発表作品がリイッシュー。アナログ時代はA面すべてを占めていたタイトル曲、ピアニストの故ビル・エヴァンスに捧げた「9月15日」等、"静の力"を感じさせる演奏が続く。

【パーソネル】Pat Metheny (el-g, acoustic 6- and 12-string g, bass-g) Lyle Mays (p, Prophet 5 & Oberheim FVS synthesizers, electric organ, autoharp)
Nana Vasconcelos (berimbau, perc, drums, vocals)

This joint solo effort by Metheny and regular pianist and collaborator Lyle Mays is an impressive outing. In the process of stretching out away from the confines of the quartet setting of prior albums, Metheny and Mays presage the sleeker and more ethereal sound of the band's Geffen years on portions of the title track. And while this side-long number has some dreamy moments, it also bogs down in a trite climax or two; one gets the sense of a jazz fusion and prog rock marriage Metheny luckily never fully explored. Minor flaws, really, since the piece holds together in spite of the worrisome lapses of taste. The balance of the album is just fine, with the highlight being the Bill Evans remembrance, "September Fifteenth" (the date of Evan's passing, which occurred while the album was being recorded). Metheny and Mays appropriately opt for a serene and slightly elegiac piano and acoustic guitar duet. The set is balanced out by the fleet Americana of "Ozark" and the streamlined swinger "It's for You." Topped off by integral and tasteful percussion by future band regular Nana Vasconcelos, this 1981 Metheny date is certainly a worthwhile disc for fans to seek out, while not being essential. ~ Stephen Cook