Time

It is annoying how hindsight will make a few months seem like a long time when the present is always moving so fast that the next few will be too short.

ALBUM REVIEW: As Falls Wichita, So Falls Wichita Falls - Pat Metheny & Lyle Mays

Album: As Falls Wichita, So Falls Wichita Falls
Artist: Pat Metheny & Lyle Mays
Year: 1980
Genre : Crossover Jazz

Favorite Track: It’s For You

It is hard to pin a genre on this music. The joint effort by Metheny and Mays plays out very nicely into a union of jazz and prog-rock. Though, as an album it leans towards the jazz.

The title track moves you through 21 minutes of what seems to be a jam session. Luckily it does not get boring or feeling masturbatory. The biggest highlight for me is the build and climax around minute 13. Unfortunately there are a few transitions that don’t do so well. The major offender for me being around 14:30 where there is a flat out change in tempo, mood and sound, leaving me wondering why this is part of the same track and not a completely separated song.

The third track “September Fifteenth” is a very nice duet between the artists. This song is a remembrance for Bill Evans, a jazz pianist who died during the recording of this album. In it Metheny and Mays really show their knowledge of how to craft a moving piece.

“It’s For You” ends up being my pick for favorite track however. Perhaps I’m just a sucker for a nice bass line, but this song delivers it. Its got energy and leaves one with an overall happy feeling.

Unfortunately they don’t end the album on that high note. They end it with a 3 minute track of nice piano and not so nice, non-lyrical singing. The album is worth listening to, but is not great.

Rating: 4 of 5