"I Agree With Pat Metheny" by Richard Thompson

David Mason · Post by **David Mason** » 10 Dec 2006 1:34 am

There are certainly fans of Rodgers and Hammerstein who are incensed with what Coltrane did with "My Favourite Things," and who feel that the song has been "defiled."

Names, please? - one would be fine. Hasn't Madonna outsold even Kenny G? As long as your proof of artistic greatness lies in that proposition, well....

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 10 Dec 2006 4:28 am

I just thought the song was very funny as well however I don't have it in me to sit up in too high an ivory tower judging Kenny. I have strong critical opinions, but there seems to be a line into pointless bashing that makes me uncomfortable once crossed. Jesse, you make a good argument. It reminds me of the time that Keith Jarret published a rant dissing George Winston and my thought at the time was that Winston had found a way to connect with large group of listeners in a very direct way that Jarret hadn't. Besides, Winston characterizes his work as "Folk Piano".

Jarret & Metheny are on a higher artistic plane than Kenny or George, but K & G aren't seeking to be that level. It doesn't mean they don't have a right to earn a living playing music, sell records, and express themselves. For the record, I hate K's treacle but admire much of GW's stuff - which is often very beautiful. The whole overdubbing over dead musicians thing is creepy but as Jesse says, it doesn't erase the original recording. [This message was edited by Andy Volk on 10 December 2006 at 06:31 AM.]

John McGann · Post by **John McGann** » 10 Dec 2006 6:31 am

The other thing I'd say is that Pat Metheny pretty much echoes the attitude of AC/DC's Malcolm Young.

In an interview, Malcolm was played a bunch of various recordings, to each he responded "that's not rock and roll!".

Finally, the interviewer asked, "So, what IS rock and roll"?

Malcolm: "What we do."

I can't stand Kenny G either but Pat can be a bit of a weenie too. He told me (and a few other young guitarists who sat at his feet, no guitars allowed, for a 'lesson' at his apartment in 1977, before he hit the big time) "Most of you guys at Berklee are gonna wind up truck drivers".

"It's not enough to succeed...others must fail!!!!"

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http://www.johnmcgann.com
Info for musicians, technique tips etc. Joaquin Murphey transcription book, Instructional DVDs, books and more...

[This message was edited for spelling, Jesse, by John McGann on 10 December 2006 at 06:32 AM.][This message was edited by John McGann on 10 December 2006 at 07:06 AM.]

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 10 Dec 2006 7:47 am

Bullseye, John.

For another example of the ultimate ivory tower, read the story of what happened to the poor guy who had the nerve to cough during Jarrett's solo:
http://skittlesmaze.blogspot.com/2006/11/jarretts-regime-of-phlegmy-fear-jazz.html

Have you ever had to cough during a concert? I sure have. All this from the guy who has audibly moaned and groaned in orgasmic ecstasy on every record he's ever released. Wonder if Buck Owens ever stopped his set when a beer bottle hit the stage. "Excuse me, pard, but creation is a fragile thing. C'mon Don, Tom, we're outta here!"

[This message was edited by Andy Volk on 10 December 2006 at 07:47 AM.]

Earnest Bovine · Post by **Earnest Bovine** » 10 Dec 2006 7:50 am

Pat can be a bit of a weenie too. He told me (and a few other young guitarists who sat at his feet, no guitars allowed, for a 'lesson' at his apartment in 1977, before he hit the big time) "Most of you guys at Berklee are gonna wind up truck drivers".

I say good for Pat for telling the truth there. They should tell you that in school, but if they did, it wouldn't be good for the school business, so they don't.

John McGann · Post by **John McGann** » 10 Dec 2006 7:58 am

Of the four of us there, One died of a heroin overdose on Boy George's floor (he was his guitarist, not a truck driver). The second is making a living as a bassist in Japan and supporting his family.

I have not had to get a truck driver's license yet...not like that would be the end of the world!

The 4th one- now, maybe he did...don't know what became of him...

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http://www.johnmcgann.com
Info for musicians, technique tips etc. Joaquin Murphey transcription book, Instructional DVDs, books and more...

[This message was edited by John McGann on 10 December 2006 at 08:00 AM.]

Earnest Bovine · Post by **Earnest Bovine** » 10 Dec 2006 8:18 am

Yeah, truck driving was a metaphor. He should have said you guys will be lucky if you wind up driving a truck.

John McGann · Post by **John McGann** » 10 Dec 2006 8:41 am

Last I checked, there were no guarantees handed out at ANY college for ANY profession- including truck driving school. The trucker driver metaphor holds just as true for medical school as music school.

Glad I got 'lucky'!

[This message was edited by John McGann on 10 December 2006 at 09:22 AM.]

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 10 Dec 2006 10:09 am

When I was in art school in the same rough time period, they told us "Only one or two of you will be making a living as an artist in twenty years." They were right. Our worldview was "Heck, if art doesn't work out, we can always be musicians."

Andy Sandoval · Post by **Andy Sandoval** » 10 Dec 2006 10:50 am

As far as him getting nasty and personal with Kenny G, I don't think the attacks were personal beyond stating what type of soulless person he must be to contrive a duet with Louis Armstrong. The rest of the comments were directed at his playing ability

Let's see, no soul and his music stinks! doesn't sound like there's much left to attack. If this isn't personal, what is?[This message was edited by Andy Sandoval on 10 December 2006 at 10:51 AM.]

John McGann · Post by **John McGann** » 11 Dec 2006 5:18 am

Topic drift, but since "Pat Metheny" is in the topic:

As far as the 'weenie' charge goes, if I were to charge 4 starving, eager young musicians for a group lesson, I think I might ask them to bring instruments, or at least share a few bits of wisdom relating to actual playing of music, rather than the 'music business' and why you are a bunch of idiots to be even trying...

Whether or not students become pro players or truck drivers, I think it's still great that people go out of their way to try and learn things, even when faced with ridiculous odds against them making a living at it...like playing actual instruments that require human skill when so much of the 'music business' is about sequencing, autotune, drum machines, turntables, belly buttons, piercings, the right torn jeans, hours at the gym, etc.

And that's as true as the truck driver metaphor. Anyone can be a cynic and call it a done deal, or fight the power!

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http://www.johnmcgann.com
Info for musicians, technique tips etc. Joaquin Murphey transcription book, Instructional DVDs, books and more...