Pat Metheny Group - First Circle - 1989

Pat Metheny Group - First Circle. Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, Canada. July 3, 1989.

[@GreenmanWood]

Perhaps the most perfect musical composition ever created. We are so fortunate to live in age where we can record actual performances as opposed to just having them on paper. Imagine hearing Mozart himself conduct one of his works, or Bach. That's what we have here. A genius composer, at the height of his powers, surrounded by the rarest of great musicians, presenting his work himself. And we are alive to see it. It gets no better than this.

[@severomagiusto4737]

I could not agree more. With Pat Metheny, we are at the presence of a new Bach. If not Pat Metheny, then who? And so he will be remembered int he history of music (let us hope as late as possible).

[@musithang]

Agreed! On all accounts.

[@siriusfeline]

Great comment and thanks. I don't know, the 'height of his powers' seems to miraculously get higher with every passing year...so prolific!

[@genemckeel1432]

Christopher Tirone well said

[@drummerflex]

I agree! Just one correction. It should read, "A genius pair of composers, at the height of their powers, surrounded by the rarest of great musicians, presenting their work themselves." Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays wrote this piece together and are performing it together. The contributions of both are essential to the composition and to this performance.

[@gutshotgriz3936]

In 1996 I was an engineer for Apogee Sound, responsible for tuning and balancing the sound system for the new Olympic Stadium for the summer olympics in Atlanta. Knowing every note of this amazing piece I put First Circle on repeat and spent hours walking the stadium while radioing adjustments to the sound booth. The stadium was completely empty (except for a Greek dignitary that did a walkthru with his secret service detail). I don’t know what they thought of the music, but I was in heaven the entire time. This is by far the most amazing piece of music I have ever heard.

[@phillywop1]

well you were guarding Gods work , kudos to you friend

[@gutshotgriz3936]

@@phillywop1 😊

[@wayofthinkin]

Best song ever !! When I play this while driving, I feel like I could actually lift off like a rocket ship by the conclusion !! Long live Pat , Lyle and PEDRO !!!!!!!

[@timparker7784]

Totally agree!

[@TCNHC]

To come up with such stunning composition tell you the magnitude of the great Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays. But to have the vision to get Pedro Aznar to join the band and sing this song...well that's pure magic!

[@afterpodcast]

I met Pedro's music because of Pat, then I met his (amazing) history with Seru Giran (became a HUGE fan) and actually on my recent visits to Argentina I actually saw part of what inspired him! Saludos from Brasil! Bendiciones!!!

[@usandthemakakelly2535]

Wonderful... Thank you Lyle Mays for your amazing musical contribution to our lives. 💓😢

[@thanhmvo]

The energy could power a whole city and beyond. RIP Lyle Mays and thank you for all that you've done.

[@chriscassier4064]

Pedro frickin' nailed it! Great song!

[@robertmueller5843]

I still have goosebumps some 30 years later....

[@MarekPasieczny]

I miss so much old PMG 😔

[@macpipo2003]

me too :-(

[@LJMcGuireDesign]

Just learned about the passing of Lyle Mays and had to watch a live performance of this song. So wonderful.

[@martinchaukebedfordviewsa4391]

Masterpiece. Thanks PMG! RIP Lyle.

[@EixtremeDrummer]

My favourite song from PMG, I listen to the rest too, but finally I come back to this one

[@uneedtherapy42]

the heart and mind of Mr Metheny is a complex and beautiful place

[@raulneri9354]

This song takes me in a different dimension either when I'm painting, driving, tending my lawn, or just walking long-distance. ... truly amazing. ....

[@yamucharo]

hard to find a word to describe greatness of this song

[@SammyMorales61]

La voz de Pedro Aznar es insuperable.

[@monoble619]

Every time I hear this song, it reminds me of why I fell in love with it all those years ago in college!

[@ThatOneDude88]

Same here!

[@ryancollins4661]

Simply the greatest song of all time, Pedro with the voice, Pat on acoustic and Lyle on piano, doesnt get any better. I saw the group 4 years ago and Pat Metheny played 3.5hrs straight without a break. Took all the guitar players in my church and they were mesmerized. Robert

[@mkitahara]

The years with Pedro were the best...

[@paulbelfrage876]

Lovely to see the late great Lyle Mays doing his thing!! (R.I.P.)

[@jeanbeaulieu7325]

WOW! Moment très touchant de ma vie! J'étais présent ce soir là, avec ma mère, ambiance et vibrations au plafond. Cette pièce en particulier est un véhicule de transport extraordinaire. Merci Pat, Lyle, Pedro et les autres membres du groupe. Le meilleur show que j'ai vu mais surtout entendu!

[@reneangulotrujillo1]

"COLOR (Pat Metheny's music) is the place where our brain and the universe meet!" -Paul Klee

[@ferchw]

God save this genius of music!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Great material, much better quality!!

[@cynthiastr9]

Fortísimo abrazo en este día tan Metheny cuate del alma, 12 08 2017

[@markproulx1472]

What beautiful music!

[@KazzArie]

20ish years ago I took a music appreciation class and each week someone had to bring in a piece of music they wanted to share with everyone for discussion. Someone brought *this* version on VHS and I’ve loved it ever since. It took a bit to find, they recorded it in so many places. The one from Japan is close but not quite. My wife said maybe I misremembered… noooo this one is different 😊

[@BossaNossa1]

I love the intensity of the music especially the voice of the singer! Not a word yet his tone and strength of projection is a cry of help, joy, sadness, excitement all together through out this song!!! I'd love to know his name!?

[@Xenophanes198]

Pedro Aznar

[@tmansrp]

A stellar performance of what is probably my favorite Metheny composition. The climax of this piece never fails to send my soul soaring.

[@pauloluz2391]

Bravo, Aznar!!

[@carmellaanderson-bey9832]

Love Pat Metheny Group and Pedro Aznar amazing!

[@patscircleiii1781]

Ese crescendo con el que culmina el Maestro Pedro Aznar a partir del minuto 07:27 es totalmente É P I C O 👏 de antología👏

[@channelmixer]

The song is never the same without Pedro.

[@Sancld]

Yes you are completly Right!

[@lovebaja]

David Blamires and Mark Ledford (RIP) did a great job as well but Pedro will always be the original.

[@pamelag.00]

He was definitely in the zone for this one and he knew it.

[@Sancld]

@@pamelag.00 yes

[@luisenriquepadilla5495]

Asi es Andrew , Pedro es único y es Argentino !!!! gracias a dios !!!

[@hanscastillo4648]

Pura magia musical, grandes todos, grande Pedrito Aznar

[@nancykrieger6328]

Mo Noble, I feel exactly the same way. I used to ride my bike listening to this while riding with an old walkman!! That's how dated this post is... but it was 1984 when it came out and I was hooked!

[@yokojkato]

I'm exited to find this clip. I love PMG and would listen to their CDs intensively during very same period as this live performance, around 90, in Japan while I live in Montreal at present. This is definitely one of the most favorite tunes of mine. Every time I listen to it, I feel as if I were risen to the paradise.

[@barbaramartin-hasty5988]

Pedro Aznar: perfection

[@Xenophanes198]

Amazing. You can just tell the crowd was blown away

[@fredg8564]

Love the build in Lyle’s solo in this one...exceptional

[@pheavy100]

I first saw Pat Metheny playing in a jumbo flat top guitar quintet at the Berklee School of Music, in a church across the street from the school. I believe the year was 1973. That made me a fan from that day forward. Love it!

[@jean-louiscousineau754]

I was there .... unbeliveable !!!!!!

[@walterrychekoski1261]

Wonderfully dreamy.. peaceful.. relaxing .. meditative...

[@freddycee7092]

This is my memory song & album

[@kidb1954]

the best guitarist of the 20th century

[@afterpodcast]

Ok...I take it back. This is one of the most amazing performances by any pianist I've ever seen (huge jazz fan)! So much feeling...it's just beautiful!

[@curtismitchell538]

The musicianship is incredible! Varied meters executed flawlessly. Pat Metheny is incredible and to surround himself with such incredible musicians... outstanding!

[@maverick-lp2dy]

....che spettacolo ragazzi....!! [ R.I.P. Lyle :'( ]

[@Hallowseve10311]

THANK YOU PAT.

[@jerrygeist1677]

We miss you Lyle, 🙏 RIP.

[@carlosenriquecrousillat2483]

Gran musique, unique, extraordinaire !

[@ronaldsyrie4219]

I was there Montréal, Québec. 1989 at FIJM.

[@ActualizateChile]

The song of my life...

[@64ster]

Lyle. A genius. Saw them in concerts around 89.....such brilliance. But Lyle RIP brother from a fellow musician...you are a bad ass musician

[@HarryNicNicholas]

a friend of mine made this part of a mix tape, Saturday i would go to dark they were and golden eyed and buy comics then spend the rest of the weekend reading Richard corben and moebius listening to this and going off to dream land. what I wouldn't give for one of those weekends back. this is like a cheerful version of "that great gig in the sky"

[@morrisboggon8856]

This group altered the course of life

[@adburger]

RIP Lyle Mays

[@pixelatedparcel]

Saw that show, up front (or in a tree or lampost)...must have been 100 000 people. Magical.

[@JuanFuentesbambam]

pat metheny grup., magnificos, su trayectoria inmejorable, se superan con cada creacion.. los directos ponen la columna vertebrsl erizada, su muica te envuelve..

[@marcovanlith5379]

What a top song….. glad saw them several times live …… Lyle solo is amazing as always …. God we miss him 😇

[@sharonjones9769]

This never gets old !!!!

[@jani1109]

que bueno que compartas con todos esta joya de musica, la verdad es una hermosa musica que pone de buen humor y tranquiliza

[@zarkozivkovic7954]

Genius song !!!!!!!!

[@tiffanydouglas2686]

I gave this song two thumbs up! 👍🏾👍🏾 I loved it!

[@jojo3010]

beautiful voice of Aznar

[@ronaldnilson659]

A true feast for the ears

[@TomTom-xp2jb]

What an arrangement!!! Masters!!! Thankyou so much for this piece!!! Love ya!!! ❤️💜💔LM

[@afterpodcast]

The best guitarist of all times.

[@pheavy100]

Beautiful music in a beautiful city, my home town.

[@lusbyo]

Which city was this show? Would you also know the year? Thank you!

[@DrBig-qf3uc]

Im gleichen Jahr in Montreux erlebt und seither bestimmt 20mal in verschiedenen Besetzungen, immer noch Gänsehaut nach all den Jahren

[@chuznorris3996]

Gracias Dios por haberme permitido disfrutado este grupo...esta formacion tan genial: Metheny, Mays, wertico, Marcal, Rodby y Aznar....es lo mejor de lo mejor....genios todos...solo una vez en la vida

[@salvarriale161]

No words for this masterpiece

[@nancykrieger6328]

Mo, I also loved how you articulated the reasons why this song is so great in musical terms!!

[@petershim5900]

Pat's music has the ability to make me emotionally lose control.

[@36index73]

Entire album is excellent! Bought it in 1986...

[@bubamurgulia2260]

This is the best track in the world!!!

[@shinichi_kawakami]

Pat y Pedro AZNAR latinoamerica presente papá! !!

[@neil7813]

Bravo!

[@Sancld]

Evergreen! One of my favourite!

[@hobie1dog]

Go Pedro

[@rosymylene1878]

Lyle!!! genius.

[@luisburk8432]

Salve, Pedrito querido!

[@rodolfogramaccini8414]

AWESOME LIVE 🌍 GREAT PERFORMANCE 🎇 PAT & GROUP QUALITY RARE 🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶 Fine ITALIANO LOV3 🎈🎈🎈

[@carlosalbertosilva2114]

A musica realmente é um dom divino!!! Pat nesta musica consegue tocar o fundo da alma! poderia ouvir 200 vezes em seguida esta musica e mesmo assim, me emocionar com profundidade desta melodia.

[@afterpodcast]

Amazing!!!!!!

[@NormVW2013]

Incredible solo by Lyle.

[@kink5291]

YES

[@victoriaedwards3600]

This music is universal peace and magic and as eternal as Bach or Mozart

[@virginiahippisleycox7405]

Majestuoso.

[@pippozappala1788]

Grande Pat formazione più grande di tutti i tempi

[@PazCrys]

De arepiar, muito show sonzeira!!!

[@luisadrianquintana5096]

Un argentino de excelencia, como pedro aznar, un hijo de las pampas por siempre...!

[@michaelhamilton4644]

Goodness gracious, Lyle

[@patscircle8051]

Gracias siempre ferchw Octubre tres, dos mil quince

[@MB-xo9pp]

Love Pedro Aznar's voice, whatever happened to him?

[@eggplantbren]

He has a very successful career as a rock musician (with jazz and folk influences) in Argentina. There's some great stuff online, check it out.

[@anguspodgorny8211]

M B I was in Argentina in 91 and went to a few record stores to find his stuff. The store owners almost treated me like royalty because I was an American who loved their countryman. I came home w a couple of his solo CDs. One song was called Pat Meth.

[@irenesetaro5491]

He was a bass player with Serú Girán, a rock band from Argentina, where surprisingly enough he did not sing the main vocals - Lebon his partner was the singer along with Charly Garcia. Pat Metheny called him for vocals considering his outstanding talent plus percussion and 2nd guitar and due to Pat's sensibility you can hear and feel the full extent of Pedro's talent. His later solo LPs reminisce strongly of tango and latin use of vocals, like a chansonnier, NOT his strongest, and he slips into commonplace renditions in his solo carreer. His composing is also within the argentinian rock scope and that is not jazz, where he excelled.

[@fauredaniel57]

@@irenesetaro5491, right. Seru Giran was the third successful band of Garcia, excellent musician and composer (with a formerly classical education). Pedro entered Seru Giran when he was just a kid. I wish to recommend you listening to Seminare by Seru, one of the most beloved argentine songs.

[@kenrakujazz]

素晴らしい

[@njteech]

awesome

[@Sitothagod]

Lyle Mays should be considered one of the greatest pianist ever!

[@gottadomor7438]

For anyone who knows ... he is.

[@irenesetaro5491]

hypnotic

[@leonoracastro6824]

lo amoooooooooooooooooooooo

[@saladinallah5299]

THEY ARE JAMMING !! GO PEDRO !

[@tomster927]

Great piece. In 22/8 (or 11/4).

[@alanbuda5229]

Lyle has passed. Now he’s everywhere

[@nmdian4613]

Flying in the sky ......

[@AustinRaabe]

I'm currently doing this piece as a vocal jazz arrangement in college! Does anyone know why the song/album is entitled "The First Circle?" I was wondering what the significance was. I thought, perhaps, it could potentially refer to the back and forth time signatures (especialy 12/8 and 10/8) which loop back into each other almost like a circle. That was just my thought, but I'd love to get others' opinions/knowledge on this! Thanks! :-)