antoniodeste

......I guess I won't sleep at night....... .

@acqualife: I'm glad you made it this far. Now try (still) Life Talking. You'll like it.

....oh, I almost forgot "Boomer's Story" and "Show Time". Unmissable!!

I've read this stuff somewhere before. I mean, you're not exactly the height of originality, but I support you. Do as he says, thanks.

I've been a fan of Cooder for a lifetime (and it’s not just a figure of speech...) and I particularly loved "Chicken Skin Music", the one mentioned in the review "Into The Purple Valley," and last but not least, the SPLENDID "Chavèz Ravine." (But also "Jazz," and many others.) Cooder is a key figure, as Woodstock says, in the rediscovery and "preservation" of a colossal and frontier folkloric heritage adrift, but not of our roots, as the reviewer seems to argue, but of another world (or other worlds) to which, however (even though it pains me a bit), we Italians simply do not belong, because our "roots" seem to be different, at least from a musical standpoint. However, the review is very good, just like the selection of the work, still fresh and delightful even after more than thirty years, so a "Bravo!!" to Woodstock.

Offramp is a great album. One must also take into account Metheny's cultural background, which has often been linked to one of his ever-present mentors, Ornette Coleman (see the curious collaboration in "Song X"). I have often witnessed, at his concerts in the 90s, furious solos, sometimes quite lengthy, of just guitar, where the free jazz roots derived from this school were evident, a style that he openly acknowledges as important and formative for him. In fact, "Zero Tolerance for Silence" clearly shows his desire to express himself in this direction. I realize that free jazz may not be for everyone and can be difficult or even unpleasant, but it is nonetheless a component that Metheny has drawn upon often, sometimes indirectly. "Offramp" is part of that attempt to merge two musical thoughts in seemingly contrasting directions. It was '83, and the lines of the guitarist's future path were starting to emerge through this kind of stylistic exploration. I understand that it may or may not appeal to you (I don't mind it), but Metheny is still also this today. If you don't like it, that's perfectly fine!

I (still) subscribe to Squireisgod "almost" in its entirety. Hi squire!

For him. Exactly. And it seems to me that in recent years the old man hasn't been so traumatized after all. Keep defending your ideals, indeed, spread them, as long as they are based on loyalty, honesty, humanity, and fairness. seeya.

@pi-airot: And in which Traffic album would that be, please?

"Goodbye Pork Pie Hat" in the versions by McLaughlin "My goal's beyond" and Jeff Beck on "Wired"; also Jeff Beck on "Blow by Blow" with "'Cause we've ended as lovers" (which is by Stevie Wonder). "I'm Going Home" by Alvin Lee in the celebrated Woodstock version. "San Lorenzo" by Pat Metheny from "Group" of '77 - ECM. "Wedding Of The Streams" by Ralph Towner. The opening track of "Cloud About Mercury" by David Torn, "Larks' tongues in Aspic 1" and "Fracture" by Robert Fripp/King Crimson, the second piece from "Blue" by Terje Rypdal with the Chasers, "Purple Haze" by Hendrix, and almost everything from "Axis: bold as love," "The Divide" from McLaughlin's live album with the Heart Of Things in France about 4 or 5 years ago; the first track from Mike Stern's first album "Upside Downside"; "We all remember Wes" from "Weekend in Los Angeles" by George Benson... and all the available works of Wes Montgomery; the entire "Jim Hall Live in Berlin" with Ron Carter on bass. "Rambler" by Bill Frisell and the "tommy" section of the suite "Eruption" contained in "Moving Waves" by Focus, featuring one of my favorites from when I was a kid, Jan Akkerman. "Aerial Boundaries" by Michael Hedges and "Faro Annie" by John Renbourn. But also "enemies of energy" by Kurt Rosenwinkel, "Welcome" by Coltrane played by Carlos Santana; "Rat Tomago" from "Sheik Yerbouti" by Zappa; I’ll stop here, but surely the list could go on for a long time, I believe. Now it's your turn!