Pat Metheny Group - Still Life (Talking) (Geffen, 1987)

This post is by Scott

Pat Metheny (g, g synth); Lyle Mays (p, kybd); Steve Rodby (b, el b); Paul Wertico (d); Armando Marçal (perc, vo); Mark Ledford (vo); David Blamires (vo)

Recorded in March and April 1987

Other records that Metheny made during the 1980s are more jazz-oriented -- albums like 80/81, Rejoicing, and Question & Answer.  All of these are rock-solid, terrific jazz records.  If someone were to ask me to choose a Metheny album that approaches jazz from a more conventional angle, I would have picked one of these.

But I think Still Life (Talking) represents Metheny at his very best.  No one else could have made this album.  And the sound of Metheny's music isn't just subtly different; it's very different, entirely unique.  Aside from (possibly) Chick Corea and Joe Zawinul, has there ever been another jazz musician who made such "orchestral" ELECTRIC music sound so entirely personal and organic?