Methany's Toothbrush
James1198
In a recent posting someone commented about seeing a toothbrush used as a
strap holder on Pat Methany's guitar....Last night, while rereading the
April Downbeat with an article on Bill Frissell I found and ad for a
Downbeat Jazz Festival or something and there was Methany toothbrush and
all....also it featured Scofeild and Methany playing lefthanded!!!!!(when
will art directors learn not to flip slides so that the "composition" is
better!!!!!!!
Also, I recently got Scofeild and Methany's "I Can See Your House From
Here." Much of it was absolutely wretched!!!!! What does everyone else
think!
best regards,
James Dawson
CorniKawby
don't know anything about Methany's toothbrush or his hairbrush or the
brush he uses on his dogs but what is it that was so wretched to you about
the album that he did with Sco? The only thing that I can figure is that,
like those editors that flipped the slide so that it looked like Pat & Sco
were playing lefty, you must have flipped your cd upside down! But,
really, I'm interested to hear what bothers you about this one.
jims
I recently got Scofeild and Methany's "I Can See Your House From
> Here." Much of it was absolutely wretched!!!!! What does everyone else
> think!
I've got it too. There are a few things I really like but all in all it
lacks a real feel for the music. That sounds strange right? What I mean
is it sounds like there's nothing going on between them, and the music.
They just play it but no feeling or power. I would like to hear them play
together live. Is there anything out there?
Peace
Matt
PS What is the name of the live album of Thelonias Monk's band w/ Trane?
I'm pretty sure Christen played guitar. Thanks in advance
James1198
Corn writes...."don't know anything about Methany's toothbrush or his
The slide or transparancy was flipped in the Down Beat Ad not the CD. I
usually like Methany and Scofeild but the sound from this particular album
(cd) was a bit grating. Some of the cuts were fine but the chorusing (?)
by Scofield and the reverb by Methany are so dense that it obscures the
sound of the note...Its almost like looking a a photograph that's out of
focus....no matter how hard you try you can't seem to get it to pop in.
One thing that may come into play is that I am listening via cd but
through ribbon speakers that seem to "open" things up. I'm finding great
pleasure listening to old cd's and hearing subtlty and nuances I never
heard before. By comparison, the Lee Riteneour cd "Wes Bound" did sound
great on conventional speakers but are annoying with the ribbons. You seem
to notice all the over processing and multitude of reverb(s)
used....Psychologically it just doesn't make sense to have a high hat with
incredible reverb and delay and the tom-tom next to it sound dry..... This
seems to fall into the discussion of recording techniques. It seem that
modern producers using every tool at their disposal to make the audio
imaging seem larger than life. By comparison to the ribbon speakers its
sort of like seeing a preety girl in the distance and when she gets close
seeing it all makeup and hair spray!<G>
Just an opinion.....
Best regards,
James Dawson
Eric Goosenberg
--
========================================================
Eric Goosenberg
Fox Chase Cancer Center
(215)728-2450 tele.
(215)728-3639 fax
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I'm a Metheny fanatic, but don't like his album with Scofield very much.
I don't like Scofield's style nearly as much as I like Metheny's, and I
very strongly prefer Pat's compositions on the album. I understand,
though, that they've had a mutual respect for a long while, and this was
just one of many wildly varied recordings by Metheny over the last few
years. I think he's trying to see how many different kinds of
recordings he can put out before the year 2000. I still love his
playing, but have recently become more selective in buying his
recordings with other players because of the big differences between
each of them.
Just my opinion, of course.
Rick
Jim Kroger
To see what Metheney sounds like, I picked up a CD of him an Ornette Coleman.
I can't stand it. I guess I just don't like this kind of jazz, but they seem
to be just wailing random notes in random time with no structure, melody,
or harmony I can discern. Maybe I'm just a jazz dummy. I hope this is not
typical of Metheney.
Jim
In article <4v2h47$6...@taurus.fccc.edu>, e_go...@oberon.rm.fccc.edu (Eric
TRAVIS
Eric Goosenberg wrote:
>
> --
> ========================================================
> Eric Goosenberg
> Fox Chase Cancer Center
> (215)728-2450 tele.
> (215)728-3639 fax
> ========================================================
>
> I'm a Metheny fanatic, but don't like his album with Scofield very much.
> I don't like Scofield's style nearly as much as I like Metheny's, and I
> very strongly prefer Pat's compositions on the album. I understand,
> though, that they've had a mutual respect for a long while, and this was
> just one of many wildly varied recordings by Metheny over the last few
> years. I think he's trying to see how many different kinds of
> recordings he can put out before the year 2000. I still love his
> playing, but have recently become more selective in buying his
> recordings with other players because of the big differences between
> each of them.
>
> Just my opinion, of course.
>
> Rick
I agree with your sentiments. Metheny is one of my favorites (so is Scofield for that
matter), but I haven't bought anything lately because of the problem you addressed.
For all you Metheny fans out there I heartily recommend not a CD, but a video somehow
associated with the 1989(?) Montreal Jazz Festival where Metheny, Bob Moses, and Steve
Swallow get together at a local club - its really inspired playing. I don't know if the
video can be purchased as I saw it on the Bravo cable channel.
Jose Ruiz
On 13 Aug 1996 14:40:15 -0400, jame...@aol.com (James1198) wrote:
> Also, I recently got Scofeild and Methany's "I Can See Your House
> From Here." Much of it was absolutely wretched!!!!! What does
> everyone else think!
I don't like "I Can See..." at all. Sorry to say that, but I expected
so much from this album, specially from Metheny's part. The only track
I like are #2 (The red one) and #7 (Say the brother's name). Do you
agree?
OTOH, have you heard Metheny's "Zero tolerance for silence"? Hope you
don't...
--
Jose Miguel Perez Ruiz
jr...@ctv.es - a01...@eps.ua.es
http://www.ctv.es/USERS/jruiz
Cyndy B
jr...@ctv.es wrote:
>OTOH, have you heard Metheny's "Zero tolerance for silence"? Hope you
>don't...
As in, hope we don't hear it, cause it's so bad?? That wasn't clear :)
What is Zero Tolerance For Silence like? I was thinking of picking
this up.
Although, maybe you shouldn't advise me. I *like* I Can See Your House
From Here.... :)
-Cyndy
Gordo
jr...@ctv.es (Jose Ruiz) wrote:
>On 13 Aug 1996 14:40:15 -0400, jame...@aol.com (James1198) wrote:
>
> > Also, I recently got Scofeild and Methany's "I Can See Your House
> > From Here." Much of it was absolutely wretched!!!!! What does
> > everyone else think!
>
> I don't like "I Can See..." at all. Sorry to say that, but I expected
>so much from this album, specially from Metheny's part. The only track
>I like are #2 (The red one) and #7 (Say the brother's name). Do you
>agree?
>
>don't...
>
I love Metheny and find the album w/Scofield to be very worthwhile
listening. The textural differences and contrasts between playing
styles is exquisite, esp. the 1st number.
Metheny's best work is most often (IMHO) is with more experienced
musicians who aren't in the PMG so they have a totally different
feel and dynamic together. The Ornette album is terrific.
Question and Answer is the best. It's GREAT drumming.
Gordo
MrBERWELL
>>
I don't like "I Can See..." at all. Sorry to say that, but I
expected
so much from this album, specially from Metheny's part. The only track
I like are #2 (The red one) and #7 (Say the brother's name). Do you
agree?
OTOH, have you heard Metheny's "Zero tolerance for silence"? Hope
you
don't...<<
Let me guess, before you go buy a new cd, you think "Gee, I hope he doesnt
do anything NEW or DIFFERENT on this one.." "I sure would like to hear
the SAME OLD thing he's been doing that I love so much." Broaden your
narrow mind me amigos. Pat Metheny wil be playing with Derek Bailey in a
few months at the Knitting Factory- and I'm there!!! Because there is no
doubt in my mind that I will get to hear something unlike anything else
I've ever heard. I'll take something new over something I've heard before
ANYDAY. But maybe I'm nuts.
OceanRider
Cyndy B wrote:
>
> jr...@ctv.es wrote:
> >OTOH, have you heard Metheny's "Zero tolerance for silence"? Hope you
> >don't...
>
> What is Zero Tolerance For Silence like? I was thinking of picking
> this up.
>
> From Here.... :)
>
> -Cyndy
Did you ever see the frist movie of "Back to the Future", where he's
playing like Chuck Berry and then he starts to fade away, Imagine that
for a whole CD!!!
I like Pat Metheny on stuff like "Still life talking" or even "We live
here". But this CD is like heavy metal on LSD. I think he's playing
with alot of distortion. Not his typical stuff.
I'll sell you my CD if you want it?
This CD is not at all like "I can see your house from here".
Glenn
roland kalus
Here are my 2 and 1/2 cent:
jr...@ctv.es (Jose Ruiz) wrote:
>On 13 Aug 1996 14:40:15 -0400, jame...@aol.com (James1198) wrote:
> > Also, I recently got Scofeild and Methany's "I Can See Your House
> > From Here." Much of it was absolutely wretched!!!!! What does
> > everyone else think!
> I don't like "I Can See..." at all. Sorry to say that, but I expected
>so much from this album, specially from Metheny's part.
Mmmmh, what did you expect from PM, that he plays all the time the
same stuff (Still live talking, Have you heard etc) which is nice and
easy to follow for everybody. I guess Mr. Metheny has also the right
to develop to other directions.
>The only track
>I like are #2 (The red one) and #7 (Say the brother's name).
I understand this because this 2 pieces have simple melodies which are
again easy to follow.
>Do you agree?
No - I do not agree!!! I love this record, it's one of my favs. O.K.
everything is a matter of tast, but I find this record more exciting
than the "usual" PMG stuff (which I like to ). Also his recordings
with Ornette Coleman and his 80/81 records are great. All this
mentioned records show PM more as a Jazzmusician. Have you heard him
as "sideman" for Joshua Redman - thats hot stuff.
> OTOH, have you heard Metheny's "Zero tolerance for silence"? Hope you
>don't...
I would not say I dislike "Zero tolerance for silence" but it is heavy
stuff and also hard to follow. On the other hand PM can and should do
what he wants to do. You do not have to buy all his records. It's up
to you.
>--
IMHO PM is a very fine jazz musician, maybe some people have to mature
to apprechiate his kind of (free) jazz.
When I was younger (lets say in my early 20th) I could not stand any
Sco or Frisell record, for me it was ugly stuff without any meaning.
After getting more into jazz and growing I have to say that this
artists and a lot of others are now my favorites. Jazz is not easy!!
JG
WARNING : HIGH TRIVIA QUOTIENT IN THIS POSTING
>In a recent posting someone commented about seeing a toothbrush used as a
>strap holder on Pat Methany's guitar....
Before anyone out there tries jamming a toothbrush up the butt end of
their guitar in an effort to move a fraction closer to Metheny's
sound, please note:
Even if your guitar is vintage, and could therefore be thought of as a
consenting adult, violating it in this way may not only be potentially
dangerous to the well-being of your instrument, but may well be
illegal in some areas.
I was curious about this and checked out some photos. It can clearly
be seen in a photo (p 22) in Adrian Ingram's book on the ES175.
The toothbrush is not a straight replacement for the missing strap
peg, but is used to secure the strap which seems to be passed through
a loop in the front of the tailpiece. Looks like all the weight of
the guitar must be pulling sideways on the tailpiece! The guitar lead
is then also looped over the shaft of the brush, which is pointing
upwards.
But what a revelation when you look at the picture on the back of
American Garage. The toothbrush can just be seen here as well, but
this time with the head pointing upwards!!!! Surely this is more than
a mere toothbrush. Maybe its Pat's modern equivalent of the old
Varitone screw on the old Super 400s. Or maybe its a style control
device: 'Head up' for harmless fusion noodling, 'head down' for
straight ahead hard jazz blowing.
Jonathan
Kostas Nikolakopoulos
James1198 wrote:
> Also, I recently got Scofeild and Methany's "I Can See Your House From
> Here." Much of it was absolutely wretched!!!!! What does everyone else
> think!
>
> best regards,
>
> James Dawson
>
> jame...@aol.com
I got this album as soon as it came first, in the "Guitar Player"'s poll.
I expected to like it more, because the previous year's winner (i don't
remember which year right now) was the terrific Mike Stern's "Standards
and other songs".
I hate Pat sounding like Sco. I prefer the same year's Pat's personal
release "We live here". Me think.
Kostas
P.S. Don't always rely on magazines polls. One mans food is another mans
poison.