Search - Pat Metheny Group: The Way Up - Live [Blu-ray] on Blu-ray

Really well documented performance

Keith Maxwell Button | Columbus, OH | 10/04/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The performances here are inspired and beautiful. What a great group of musicians. I like the long 22 minute interview with Pat because he talks about what The Way Up reflects about living in our time and touches on various topics concerning music. It's pretty classy too that they put The Way Up in its entirety without any bonus tracks or other tunes. Like on Branford Marsalis' A Love Supreme they didn't add other tunes just to fill up time. With just the full piece it makes a statement that this is what this performance is about. Just like the album, the audio has a very even balance which becomes more noticeable during solos but I find it sounds better overall when you crank the volume up. The camera work is very good, no stupid angles, MTV style diagonal shots or video effects. If you like Pat Metheny you will really dig this DVD..."

The Next Best Thing to Seeing it Live

Loretta D. Serrano | Ohio | 11/05/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Cleveland, the Rock and Roll Capital of the World, is not always a regular stop for the Pat Metheny Group. In previous tours, they often played in small venues with lousy acoustics.



Unfortunately, Cleveland wasn't a stop for "The Way Up" tour, which, after listening to the new album almost every waking moment for about a month, left me utterly inconsolable; thus, I was eagerly awaiting the DVD of the concert.



"The Way Up" is a departure from previous Metheny productions where a collection of individual songs comprises the album. Instead, it's a 68-minute unbroken suite of four parts, similar to a classical composition. Before seeing the concert DVD, I knew the piece well and could not imagine how they were going to pull it off live with only 7 musicians.



But, there was Pat, in his signature striped shirt, in an amazing mind meld with the drummer only a few feet away. Every Metheny fan knows you have to give his music time and attention, like nurturing a beautiful courtship, in order to really appreciate its complexity and melodious richness.



The recurring theme in the suite came from a short cut from "Secret Story." Who knew that little piece could be developed into such a vast and magnificent journey? This performance will slay you - leave you bleeding in the gutter gasping for air. As with all Pat Metheny concerts, when it was over, I continued to sit, paralyzed, reluctant to break the spell by moving.



If I could afford it, I would send everyone I love a copy of this DVD. For some of them, it may be one of the greatest things they ever received, shifting their musical universe forever. At the very least, some might catch a little glimpse of heaven, if they recognize it."

Amazing to see this done live. A masterpiece!!!

NDBx | New York, NY United States | 10/06/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When I got the CD for this I couldn't think of how they could possibly pull this off live. Then I went to the concert at the Beacon and was blown away how they not only performed it, but embellished upon it.



This recording captures that accomplishment faithfully. The symbosis with this, possibly the best line up the group has ever had, is palpable.



It was true to the Pat Metheny Group concert experience. By that I mean that there is an intimacy to the group's music that even in a large auditorium, holds firm. You are drawn in and are along for the ride whether it be the 68 minutes or the typical 2.5 hours of the average PMG concert.



Everyone has their moments on this recording, everyone shines within the context of this piece, which while a perfect vehicle for improvisation never loses it's melodicism. Everyone plays in context.



It would've been nice if they would've also included some of the other pieces which were part of the tour, that were revisited after a long absence from the group's repertoire.



I guess you can't have everything but I am satisfied with this DVD and the beauty and vision it contains.



"

An incredible musical ride. Incredible musicianship on mult

Robert Ramos | Thousand Oaks, CA United States | 10/04/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I highly recommend this DVD as both an entertainment entity as well as an musically inspirational entity.



I had the privilege of seeing the Pat Metheny Group on their "The Way Up" tour. When I first studied the CD, I was absolutely blown away by the new tonalities and ideas that permeate the piece. When I saw this piece performed live, I was blown away by the musicianship again in that the complexity of each musician's role was so perfectly orchestrated into a live performance. The dynamics so powerful. The passages so melodic. The concepts so bold.



This DVD successfully captured all that I--as well as anyone else who has seen this live--experienced from the live performance.



One can never tire of Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays as they are always evolving and innovating--never stagnating.



Very few musicians have contributed to the art of music to the extend and level that Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays has."