Pat Metheny & Brad Mehldau
Metheny/Mehldau

September 2006. Just finished savoring "The way up" and here comes, like a bolt from the blue, the very bright blue album from Pat and Brad, two old masters with languid and romantic hearts. Piano and guitar. The duo might seem apparently curious and innovative. Good old Pat already boasts collaborations with pianists of the caliber of Chick Corea and those historical ones with his lifelong friend Lyle Mays. But the show must go on and the desire to cross new boundaries awakens in the Missouri artist the urge to explore new combinations, to express himself to the fullest, in this still evolutionary phase of his music.

Apparently it's a languid and dreamy album, that offers few immediate gratifications when listened to in a hurry. A mature, complex, difficult album, that deserves many listens, but that reveals, over time, its penetrating essence full of brilliance. A brilliance that is nothing short of embarrassing, since Pat is as quick as lightning and Brad seems to play with an extra hand at times. The ideas are there, not few, they should be explored and perceived in their delicacy, in the nuances of the personal traits of the two artists, who, and this is the beauty of it, influence each other, complement each other, touch each other composing themselves into extraordinary wholes.

After months of listening, I feel like saying it's a great work, meticulous, intelligent, well-balanced, skillful, that doesn't disorient the most ardent fans, that surprises with its step forward, because that it is, a step forward. Pat is in full evolution, and it is noticeable. The gradual way in which the sound reaches new perspectives is satisfying and arouses the desire to discover their next work, due in March 2007, with the addition of drums and bass, forming a quartet of sure interest.

The album opens with "Unrequited", written by Mehldau, a dreamy, relaxing, and subtle atmosphere. There is immediately a good chemistry felt, you can sense the pianist's personal touch and Pat's contributions enrich the whole. Pleasant. Then follows "Ahmid-6", in my opinion, the true gem of this album. It's a theoretical, brilliant, dynamic, and introspective piece. Fully Methenyesque, it recalls familiar sounds but evokes a landing in new worlds. Bravo bravo bravo Pat!
"Summer Day" slows down the pace, then opens up to the surprising "Ring of Life". Lively and acrobatic, with drum&bass accents, played in a quartet (and it's the only exception) with Larry Grenadier, the renowned and loyal bassist of John Scofield and Jeff Ballard on drums. The sound awakens the sleepiest souls and endows the album with energy and strong expressiveness. But it seems like a game, a parenthesis. Quickly returns to gentler rhythms with "Legend" and "Find Me in Your Dreams" dedicated to his wife Latifa, always a protagonist in Pat's music. A truly romantic piece.
Without any bursts, but still pleasant, the revisitation of "Say the Brother's Name", which carries through to the superb "Bachelors III" in which Mehldau gives his best and proves to be an artist with guts. Compelling, effective and profound, invigorating.
The album concludes with "Annie's Bittersweet Cake" by Mehldau and "Make Peace".

In light of the last ten years, during which I've listened to almost the entire discography of Pat Metheny, including collaborations, I conclude by stating that this album is a pearl of rare beauty, which I highly recommend, which I classify among the top 10, and which creates so much hormonal upheaval even just thinking about buying a ticket for a relative and probable European tour.