THE GREATEST IMPROVISED GUITAR SOLO OF ALL TIME

[@KelValMax]

I love that so many rockers are discovering my jazz heroes.... and so many jazzers are discovering my rock heroes. This channel is just fantastic.

[@majortom4543]

Golden boy and all, and as good as this interchange is, lets not kid ourselves and say this is the greatest solo of all time that nobody else can recreate.

[@anthonywhite2960]

Thank God for Rick Beato and this wonderful channel. Rick's enthusiasm and joy for music and learning is palpable and inspiring.

[@edbernardmusic3599]

I can't wait to hear him feature his own music!

[@Sawlon]

Yes!!!

[@jesusislukeskywalker4294]

​@@Sawlon🙏 Amen

[@CitizenScott]

Yeah how could the world go on without cringe like this.

[@russelljackman1413]

Amen!

[@mikeradcliffe6062]

"Leading the listener along a path that feels both surprising and yet expected." Wow! You just summarized what Pat's composing has always done for me. Nice.

[@zyxwvut4740]

Roger Ebert said a perfect movie ending should be the same: Surprising yet Inevitable.

[@duncanfrere2656]

That interview with Metheny reveals an artist living and creating at the utmost reaches of what is creatively possible. Just stunning!

[@michaelfoxbrass]

Being. I’ve done it a few times in my playing life, but would love to be doing that whenever I’m playing!

[@touchthatdial]

The joy on Rick’s face when he listens is just joyous to watch. Love this channel.

[@djdksf1]

As a piano/keyboard player, a lot of Pat's synth solo stuff is maddening to me because it sounds like it could theoretically be translated to my instrument, until I try to actually do it. There are many ways that the fretboard is a superior interface. Those long, languid lines sound so effortless (I know they're not) and fluid and I'll only ever be able to dream about playing that way. Also, Pat has a friggin' encyclopedia of harmonic and melodic knowledge in his noggin - such a huge wealth of stuff to draw on. Great take on this RB!

[@Devypocalypse]

I love, LOVE that terminology "superior interface". What a term.

[@dariohenriquez7773]

ironically we all guitarists want the guitar to be a piano so we're even

[@djdksf1]

@@dariohenriquez7773 🤣 I guess everyone wants what they do not have.

[@ThvonS]

Good point, but Chopin on synth guitar would be a challenge... to say the least

[@N.SLASH.A]

As someone who’s experimented with various guitar synths for 20 years, I can’t help but wonder if/how some of this could possibly be the interface between the GK pick up and it’s interpretation of what he’s playing that leads it to be something that could not be imitated due to his impeccable playing x the tracking of that given moment in time?

[@vladavasiljev]

Rick's work on youtube is the most profound contribution to music on the internet. Thank you sir for your effort. Greetings from Serbia.

[@SB-nt9fp]

Could not agree more. Between Live from Darryl's house and Ricks show I feel spoiled.

[@brianomoli4]

I agree. Tell that to the record companies and old rockers like the Eagles and KISS, though. They don’t see the value that Rick brings to their music. Rick himself has shown how people like Jimi Hendrix are losing popularity because of all of copy write nonsense. Once music became digital, that old model died. The gatekeepers are the last to realize it.

[@edbernardmusic3599]

Rick's work? Where does he feature his own work?

[@comajoebuck999]

He’s shown videos of music he’s written, to illustrate modes, etc…^^^

[@djordjejezdic4876]

too kralju

[@chrisyounce1815]

Pat Metheny is my favorite musician of all time and really enjoyed your interview with him. I'm so glad that you enjoy and appreciate Pat's music as much as many of us do to. There's a good reason why your channel has 4.57m subs and growing, it's because your love of all music is infectious and brings together lovers of music from all genres. Keep up the great work Rick.

[@dannylgriffin]

For me, Pat Metheny is only beaten out by Jean-Luc Ponty.

[@markmichlewicz5141]

Once again you opened my eyes to something new.this is why this channel is the best.

[@athena2zeus54]

Agreed!

[@kerbyfab]

Have fun down that rabbit hole… it gets deep! I started my journey into Pat Metheny about 12 yrs. and it’s been a wonderful ride to say the least. He’s in my top 5 of all time!

[@edbernardmusic3599]

I agree! I can't wait for that something new is Rick's own music!

[@scottbullock3045]

There's a reason this channel is approaching 5 million subs. Rick is one of the very best music channels on KZbin.😊❤

[@NicknLex]

I was surprised that it wasn't anything by Allan Holdsworth but Pat is right there in the same league of genius.

[@Catonian1]

I thought it would definitely be Holdsworth. I specifically thought it would be “In the Dead of Night”.

[@jimmycampbell78]

That's who I was thinking of too when Rick was doing his build-up at the beginning.

[@saracen567]

My favourite electric guitar solo - Alan Holdsworth on “Hazard Profile Part 1” on Soft Machine’s 1975 album Bundles.

[@johnsworldofvideopoker]

Pat Metheny, Larry Carlton, & Allan Holdsworth are all in a league of their own. Allan Holdsworth (before he passed on) used to live in Fallbrook, Ca. He would play locally at a small club in North San Diego County called the Bellyup. Afterwards, he would sit at the bar with me & the lead guitarist in my band and talk guitar all night. He was the humblest guy and the most astounding guitar genius you would ever want to meet. R.I.P. Allan.😢🙌🏻🙌🏻🙏🏻🍎

[@theplanetruth]

Hey Nick!!

[@petealba707]

Great solo and breakdown. You da man, Mr. Beato.

[@rigelloar7474]

Metheny is a sublime improviser. He doesn't source his solos from vocabulary, he plays ACTUAL ideas. He actually has something to say. His solos are wonderful stories, beautifully told. Anyone who thinks vocabulary and chops will get you THERE, had better think again !

[@jm.101]

I’d be happy with either vocabulary or chops

[@davidfleuchaus]

Well said. In his interviews I’m sure you’ve heard similar patterns. He has put a lot of thought into communicating well.

[@marktyler3381]

Agreed. Not to diss people playing safe, but there's a realm after that.

[@rigelloar7474]

@@davidfleuchaus By including YOU, in the "story" he has to tell, the communication is assured. He is loved by the muses. So are you . . .

[@rigelloar7474]

@@marktyler3381 Oh yeah there is ! It's a wonderful place . . . . .

[@staffansail2457]

One of my favorite jazz songs of all time.

[@djhamm721]

I suspected that it would be a solo by Pat and when it was Song for Bilbao, yes! Excellent choice and amazing song. One of my faves, out of the many by Pat.

[@101xaplax101]

that excellent statement that you read about being "surprising and yet expected" really nailed it ...... when pat improvises its as if i'm in the car with him and he is driving across town to take us to lunch .........there are 1000 possible ways/permutations to get there........i'm familiar with the town and know the destination but have no idea which route he is going to take.......some of the roads I have never been down before but I never feel lost because I know that the restaurant is along the coast to the north-west and on average that continues to be our general direction ...... the route is ultimately bounded by the presence of the coast and once you see it you'll know that the destination is close at hand.......no matter how complex his playing gets it never feels arbitrary and always has the quality of familiarity........

[@festivalexpress8505]

Pat plays like a horn player, perhaps showing his roots as a trumpet player - it's wonderful approach, incredibly original, and sounds amazing.

[@rightchordleadership]

There's only one Pat Metheny

[@jorymil]

I play trombone, and I've tried to transcribe some of Pat's solos--they're just so melodic you can't help but sing along to them.

[@notablejourney]

His brother Mike is the trumpet player.

[@michaelstanutz9338]

How I wish Rick could have interviewed Lyle. Awesome work Rick!!!

[@dannylgriffin]

Agree. We miss Lyle!

[@markprincipe7440]

You're not so bad yourself there, Rick! What a great interpretation 👏

[@lotnik1976]

again I have to write it - Rick Beato is one of the best content creator on YT right now - every video is interesting, informative, funny, inspiring - just great. THANK YOU - its pure pleasure to know you via YT

[@davestephens6421]

Great era of the PMG.....Pat, a master of playing changes!!

[@eventidewinds]

Love Pat. Was at his show this sunday. A little disappointed about what he performed, but always in awe, how he plays

[@hzgts308]

I've always loved Pat, since I was a teenager. He's bonkers good!

[@EixtremeDrummer]

You are right. I LOVE that sound since 1982 when I saw Pat performing the Offramp gig.

[@jackrunner6997]

Every time I'm listening to that piece of music my jaw drops...

[@TonyCantisano]

It takes another life to understand Pat’s mind ❤

[@dadof2553]

This is like close encounters of the third kind at the end when the massive U.F.O. lands and they have a conversion with it using keyboards.Crazy good having the talent to come up with this type of stuff.🎉🎉

[@jonranper]

Matheny plays so fluidly it sounds almost like a flute or a clarinet. Glad I'm just an old rocker!

[@88pampa]

Yay you!

[@TheGhostOfFredZeppelin]

I was about to comment the same thing, if I just heard that solo on a speaker passing by I wouldn't have thought it was a guitar at first

[@guitarslim56]

Metheny

[@TheKarmicRepairCo]

Trumpet. His main guitar synth always sounds like a trumpet player with mad chops and incredible breath control.

[@nostromo7928]

Tbh, I was confused because Rick was saying "guitar solo" and all I could hear was a flute! 😂

[@toddclarke1580]

I think , you are at a musical level with this fusion improvisation, that goes over most of our heads.

[@tucktimosprime]

Hard not to notice that drummer, crazy stuff Rick

[@danoconnell1833]

Yes! Agreed. He's a match for Pat's playing for sure.

[@jonashormann5700]

Dan Gottlieb is the man. He was perfect for the songs they played at the time.

[@Randyolsson]

that entire record is insane

[@STP43fan]

This is one of my all-time favorite Pat tunes to absolutely turn the volume on max in the car. The Groove setting this up is just too much! A++

[@dane279]

You’re not alone. I always could tell my Dad coming home from work because he’d be blasting Pat Metheny coming down the street.

[@Emperorjones]

Totally with you. The grooves that set up these Pat trips that go beyond are always perfection. A player can study the grooves alone for a lifetime.

[@scflair6916]

3:08 Incredible moment of inspiration that I needed to hear.

[@nostromo7928]

I wish I could say I liked this kind of jazz but I don't. It always sounds frenetic and "busy" to me. Literally makes me feel anxious. But I can appreciate how hard this piece is to play. Thank you, Rick. 🙂

[@jorymil]

The PMG's music is really meant to be listened to in the context of their albums. If you jump right into "Song for Bilbao," it's frenetic, but it's the tenth of eleven songs on the album. The first nine prepare you emotionally for this one. I'm not sure how much I realized this about albums until I read your comment, so thank you for expanding my mind! I encourage you to grab Travels, Still Life (Talking), or First Circle and listen to it start to finish. It hits in a very different way. For me, having grown up in the Midwest, there's always something that feels like driving down the highway at night, looking at a freshly harvested field of wheat.

[@nostromo7928]

@@jorymil On your recommendation I'll give it a try. 🙂

[@trebleboost7]

@@jorymilWell put. There is magic in those albums. ‘First Circle’ may be my favorite song of all time. ‘Across the Heartland’ is another cut I can play over and over. To me PMG was the synergy, though I respect their other works. Lyle’s ‘Street Dreams’ had some great tracks.

[@julian.morgan]

@@nostromo7928 I once played 'Are you going with me?' from Travels to a very talented classical violinist who'd never heard very much jazz let alone Metheny. Towards the end of the track she fainted. Of course I was concerned, but when she came around she had this huge grin on her face. 'I guess I went with him!.' she said.

[@6stringcodger450]

Yes, just sounds pointless and rambling, I used to explain to my friends that I was Jazz blind or something...but it is more than that, it actually hurts afrter a few minutes. (not joking at all) I would lose my mind if someone told me I had to listen to an entire concert of this. I think it could be gentic like the cilantro taste thing. Worth studying or thesis for a biology or music major.

[@geoffwales8646]

"Are You Going With Me?" is less complex, I suspect, but it takes you on a journey, both melodically and emotionally. It's both a farewell and an invitation in one epic tale.

[@erotomaniac51]

Yes Rick this is my favorite Pat solo

[@Sebba85]

The moment i read the thumbnail of your video i tought about Pat Metheny...he is such a genius, and an inspiration for me. Travels is one of my favourite discs, and I thank my father that he let me know Pat Metheny when I was young, just a teenager.

[@kimsushiii]

Another solo that's on that same wavelength is the solo in Drive Home by Steven Wilson as played by Guthrie Govan. Crazy story behind it too.

[@shreykapoor1333]

I love Drive home too!

[@exactual7149]

Finally.....I spent the Summer of 1986 driving around Denver with a friend and always blasting this album as a teenager. This song and solo I can hum note for note for many years now and it never gets old how incredible, melodic, technical, sophisticated and just positive/life-loving this amazing piece is. It's not on any album other than this live version. That Lyle solo leading in is a stunner too but as I've said many times throughout the years....this is one of the greatest solos of ANY instrument ever improvised. SO musical. You feel like you've been on a journey at the end.

[@amusical12]

Eddie's impro for Michael Jackson on "Beat It" was pretty cool for a one take impro ❤

[@realscience948]

Are you comparing that to this!!!😮

[@alexb.5703]

He put several single parts together if I’m not mistaken…

[@amusical12]

@@realscience948 No.

[@braveswin1]

Thank you Rick...I've LOVED that track since I was a sophomore in college. I'm not a musician and I don't know why I've loved this song so much but I'm obsessed with it. Easily my favorite Pat Metheny tune. Ten years ago, or so, my son and I had the unique experience of sitting in the front row in Columbus, GA and watching Pat perform it. I've seen him many times and it's often in his encore segment. Thank you for explaining the genius behind it.

[@6stringcodger450]

I am completely jazz deaf. All I hear is music jibberish, sounds aimless noodling, doodling and rambling. I have tried to understand and I am sure this is very difficult to play, but I cannot even pretend to like it. It actual seems like torture after a few minutes. It's like my neighbor telling me how great his $120 bottle of wine was last night...I just have to smile and pretend to understand sometimes to get by.

[@RD-jr8nv]

haha Nothing wrong with that.

[@CL_Audio_Tuning]

Pat is trully one of the greatest!! Thank you Rick!!

[@troutriver58]

I love Pat Metheny, but during this phase of his career he adopted that particular guitar tone which I wasn't crazy about. A few years later he put that down for a different sound. He's certainly my favorite guitarist, every since I first heard him nearly 45 years ago.

[@jeffgrifa4539]

I've never listened to this before either, and I think the guitar sounds like a synthesizer...not for me.

[@bond-suits]

Pat has been playing the same Roland GR-300 guitar synth since early 1981. He still plays it. He's changed the filter settings over time, with it getting much brighter for a while and then a little darker again. But he essentially plays this same sound on almost every album except for the acoustic albums, and he still plays it at every show.

[@forphxsake2024]

@@bond-suits It's his sax, is the way I look at it.

[@troldhaugen]

I've always been frustrated that the greatest and most expressive guitar improviser in history makes his guitar sound like a sterile, cheesy toy keyboard.

[@bond-suits]

@@forphxsake2024 Right. I've heard Pat say that he's always playing like a horn player rather than a guitar player. The GR-300 is taking him one step closer to that. With the Synclavier he was even using a sax sound for a while.

[@32Mike]

I’ve had the good fortune to see him twice in Atlanta. He is truly incredible. Thank you sir for the work you do and for bringing Pat back to my Radar.

[@CJasonThwaites]

Iv'e been mining this solo for melodic nuggets for 30 years now... Indeed, Travels is one of my 5 desert island records.

[@Jointlock]

every video I learn a thousand new things about music......you are the best!

[@ShoukoTakuda1059]

As you often do, you work a tune that really intrigues me. Hours and days later, Slaving away sorting out "James" Your video helps a ton sorting out the approach. Nice work.

[@TheOverlordOfProcrastination]

Lyle Mays - one of deftest, most beautiful pianists I’ve ever listened to. Much missed by me.

[@SB-nt9fp]

Lyle and Pat ruled the late 70s to 80s jazz fusion scene. So happy I got to see them in the early 80s at a small venue in Boston. Travels is one of my favorite Pat Metheny albums. Too many great albums to mention from the Pat Metheny group. Huge influence on me playing guitar as a teen. Just incredible musicians. Lyle's solo work is amazing as well.

[@guitarjonn7103]

So masterful, and he keeps getting better and better. The truly great ones never rest on their laurels, they always explore what's unknown to them.

[@robotbarbarian]

Yes! Yes! Yes!! Another great one, Rick!! Thank you!

[@hovefactually7505]

This was Pat in 1982. I wish he still played like this.

[@cobalt-6747]

I love J Mascis of Dinosaur Jr. his guitar playing is completely fantastic with his crazy guitar solos.

[@artgirten7818]

Rick's incredible enthusiasm is so joyful! That version of "Song for Bilbao" was recorded over 40 years ago. Timeless indeed. Younger viewers now discovering what us old folks have appreciated for decades about PM! Fantastic video Rick!

[@2good2betrue3]

"Most of this is Unplayable", No versions of this on KZbin.....no play along, not even a transcription of this.."It's the greatest melodic solo that's unplayable" , because YOU just CANT DO it....."the phrasing is impossible to follow".🤭 If Rick says so, then it's the real deal.🔥Quick!....Calling all expert tabbers, transcription experts and players to please create a tab or cover version of "Song for Bilbao" on KZbin.🤘 I believe you can do this. Please demystify this song. I'll SUBSCRIBE to the channel of any tabber or guitar player who can play or tab this.👌🙏 Cheers!

[@steelbender8566]

Yes, I agree could someone Tab this song or just the guitar solo? I will gladly subscribe too.

[@josealaras9191]

The thing about Rick's editorial videos are that it's like sitting with a buddy in the living room listening to records and analyzing what we love about the music. Hey Rick, would love for you to discuss the melody/phrasing/chords over PMG's Have You Heard on The Road to You album!!

[@julian.morgan]

Travels is THE album for me. I think that's possibly because the guitar parts are so unattainably far beyond me I gave up trying to figure them out decades ago. That means that like Lyle's keyboards, Pat's guitars kinda bypass my brain and go straight to my soul.

[@rapidfirerob4]

I got so much joy from seeing Pat and Lyle together. I miss it. Pat is a crazy great player and composer. I never enjoyed the sound of the guitar synthesizer unfortunately.

[@SandauxBeats]

Maan. I thought it was the Guthrie Govan interview we've all been waiting for. But it's great nonetheless because it introduced me to a new track I would love to listen.

[@GuyLuchenbill]

Sameeee

[@TheSammyreynolds]

Guthrie Govan doesn't do a lot of interviews anymore. It would be awesome to see.

[@secretstorymusic]

Travels is such a great compilation of pat's early work. A must have to truly understand how it all evolved to where he is now.

[@morkus26]

I thought it was going to be 'Are You Going with Me' from the Travels album. Hearing that on mushrooms was unbelievable.

[@joostvergoossenmusicfullne8630]

Hahaha, same experience with weed back in the days...

[@browe]

"Surprising, yet... expected." 💯 THIS. Innovative lyricism, phrasing, playing outside--all tied to coherent, musically relevant passages... surprise me indeed, but it feels like it had to be. Right on.

[@Flightofphenomena]

It’s really cool. Not sure how much I love the screaming baby elephant effect though! 🙂

[@misterdean9817]

Rick, you are just awesome man! I love your videos

[@atimtambaby]

God bless Lyle Mays for pushing Pat Metheny beyond his limit only to reach it

[@patdolan7418]

Pat's feel, his connection to what's going on while he's soloing over it, is otherworldly. Rick, I would love to hear your thoughts on another piece he played with his synthesizer, the solo from To the End of the World from We Live Here. The way he takes over seamlessly from Lyle's solo and builds to the climax is mind-blowing (and for those who may not have heard it yet, I won't say anything else about it except you need to feel it for yourself. Hearing it for the first time is almost a religious experience). It would be impossible for me to claim a single favorite song from Pat Metheny, or the Pat Metheny Group, in over 45 years as a fan. But that one would be in my top 5... 10... 15?

[@judih.8754]

Rick that Pelham Blue SG is gorgeous! I love the analysis you provide for this video. So intense!

[@tylerhackner9731]

Favorite solo!

[@davidfleuchaus]

Thoughts? Many. Many many. First, yes! Pat is firing on all 86 cylinders on this solo. A well oiled machine in the flow physically, harmonically, motivically, artistically, collaboratively, stylistically, creatively, rhythmically. It’s fun, hip, intellectual, primal, new, off the cliff yet tethering on it, fresh, honest, immediate…. It is everything you would hope to capture in an improvisation. Second, yes, Pat works hard. Very. Beyond comparison. And for the best reasons. I heard him once when he was unfamiliar with the material. It was eh. That showed me that the rest of his always stellar performances come about not by innate talent but by diligent work that is driven by a respect for music. Third, forget about playing it note for note. Instead imitate his boldness and devotion and commitment and create your own genre or approach. While this is certainly worthy of capturing every nuance I think Pat would be more inclined to applaud someone who was inspired to create their own thing that has as much intentional artistry as this performance. Fourth, oh man I love this tune and recording. I am a devoted Pat head from early on. Every note, every interview, every nuance. I called him up at home on my 30th birthday. I lived a few blocks from him. We spoke for over an hour. Pat is the real deal through and through. This solo is truly amazing yet it is literally one of tens of thousands of similarly excellent solos. I mean, he played 3 hour concerts 240+ nights a year for 40+ years. He never isn’t fully engaged. His respect for music and for the audience is beyond compare. Fifth, there are so many great ideas in this solo. I want to stop now and just listen. Sixth, Rick, maybe one day we’ll meet. We have a lot in common. Seventh and last, Rick, I’m sure you know that lesson where Pat demonstrates playing on/before/after the beat. That would be a good beginning to a whole video devoted to rhythm/groove/feel/timing. Rhythm is the center but it gets the least attention. Pat of course is a master so innumerable examples come to mind. Towner said as a kid he used to put his ear on the fridge and beat out counter-rhythms to the random pattern of its knocking motor. Pat’s ballads contain meaningful intentional hesitations and natural subtle shifts in volume that together transmit the feelings of an emotional terrain. Putting some attention on the importance and primacy of rhythm would benefit every player in your audience. I could go on but won’t. Thank you Rick Beato.

[@mrdfk9410]

My mind is blown. That doesn't even sound like a guitar AND it is being played like it's horn or trumpet. The phrasing in incredible, my mind has gone, I need to find this set and listen to it all!

[@autk]

"doesn't even sound like a guitar" that's where it runs off the rails for me

[@anssitee]

The melody brings the best bits of Gentle Giant into mind. Great stuff.

[@ciaranearlie]

When I saw the title I knew it had to be Metheny. In my humble opinion not just one of the best guitarists ever but of the best musicians ever.

[@karltilghman4425]

❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@johnkotchmusic]

Thanks Rick - love your passion for great music and why it’s great

[@onegusty]

Thank You!!!

[@davidportch8837]

That is absolutely amazing Rick as is your musical knowledge... Thank you as always for sharing this stuff and your knowledge with us...

[@ProgWork1]

7:00 it's ok to say "Oh, my God" Rick

[@charles95880]

I’ve been following and watching Rick for like 10 years, since his first year. Love this mind twister music stuff. My brain needs this as much as possible. Kudos Rick to all your success!!! I will listen to this Metheny album on the way to my office.

[@112131415191213]

That's a weird way to say the 'Drive Home' solo by Guthrie Govan...

[@ismailkhalaf6748]

The live version in Chile is INSANE

[@Midtiertops]

Great video! Pat’s synth work is unmatched

[@erikgeiser8226]

“Push Comes to Shove” solo - melodic EVH

[@andrewchamberlin8180]

I couldn't agree more with your assessment Rick. Kudos, well done.

[@ChrisGiarratano]

Rick, you gotta do a deep dive into Grateful Dead. I will bet good money you will be enamored by their group think improvs and their filled with surprise and versatile compositions especially 1968 - 1974

[@LillyMarz777]

😂

[@MysticMountainGems]

I like your enthusiasm... but I think it's childs play at this point.

[@PristineTX]

The Dead are really boring. Even if you narrow it down by genre to something very narrow like “mixolydian-heavy psychedelic rock guitar,” Jerry Garcia wouldn’t feature nearly as interesting as someone like Robby Krieger.

[@alanwbelcher]

I can't agree with you more, Rick. This solo brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it. Way to go PM!

[@itsjohnnymillion]

I wish I liked Pat more than I do. I can’t get my brain around it and the synth tone is too much for me.

[@tequila_tibbs7938]

Use your ears not your brain?

[@thestradiosmiles]

@@tequila_tibbs7938 This is kind of an inane statement. The sound waves can only be interpreted by the brain connected to the ears. Telling this guy not to use his brain to listen to something makes pretty much zero sense. It's ok for people to not enjoy everything.

[@thewildcellist]

Lyle Mays' stuff hits me in the heart; Metheny's hits me in the head. I'm never moved (though like the op, I wish I were). The synth guitar only serves to compound the problem, because every note (timbre wise) sounds identical.

[@bond-suits]

@@thewildcellist Lyle was definitely a player of the head, at least as much as Pat. Both used their minds to craft incredible music. The timbre of the synth changes dramatically from the low notes to the high notes, helping it to sound less monotonous. While it has nowhere near the timbral variations of an acoustic instrument, it still has plenty.

[@thewildcellist]

@@bond-suits No argument here. They're both amazing. I was just riffing on the op's comment. For whatever reason, Pat's stuff doesn't connect with me emotionally. And the synth - again, just my personal opinion - _does_ sound monotonous. Same thing when Holdsworth went that way; it's intrinsic to the instrument. I'm glad that you can hear and enjoy the subtle differences that there are and it's good to know that they're there.

[@VinceMGuitar]

Thanks for the great analysis of this tune Rick! Pat was so on fire on the Travels album. So magic going on the entire album.

[@skakkalabinko]

Rick you have to cover shawn lane in a video!!!!!!!

[@ericnicolleau4331]

Was expecting Shawn Lane get you back or black market 1992 improvisations when I clicked on this videos lol

[@jarrowmarrow]

Awesome that was a great lesson. love how you show your love and enthusiasm for music.

[@stonerdemon]

Pat is so good at improvising he even improvised his hairdo.

[@bonnpoland]

It's cool to see you so passionate about it.

[@darrenkeller9251]

I simply don't like it. To each his own...

[@autk]

This for me is a hard no, to have to listen to it for more than 5 minutes would be excruciating...and I can appreciate quite a bit of Avant garde jazz guitar, but this ....

[@trebleboost7]

Masterpiece song. Never ever get tired of this album.

[@k-cmccann9594]

I’ve been trying through my entire life (72 yrs) to appreciate this style of music , without much success,… or tolerance beyond a couple minutes of listening. I once heard it described as playing all the notes at the same time. Just as our visual sensors take time to recover from flashes of light, with burnt afterimages, so too do the eardrums/brain require time between sounds. If played in rapid succession, sounds overlap until they become white noise.

[@xqqqme]

You've got only a year on me, sir. And I'm right there with ya.

[@JonniVanPlatoni]

Yeah it asks a lot of the listener, and maybe even too much?

[@patepulkkinenvtec2403]

I get what you're saying, I get the same feeling in some of the bepop solos and fusion jazz solos, and especially in power metal solos. However, if the fast bits actually have a deeper musical meaning, fit the solo and the song and are melodic, then I think it's all good. This solo definitely fits that criteria for me.

[@JonsMG]

I get what you're saying. To me there are parts of this solo (and others like it) where I feel like the solo becomes "disconnected" from the rest of the song, which doesn't sound good to my ears. I can appreciate how insanely impressive it is to play, but at a certain point my brain can't keep up and/or reconcile it as part of a larger whole.

[@claudiarodari5577]

You know... I understand what you say... I admire Pat Metheny, and the enormous amount of music he knows and his capacity for creating but as you put it, sometimes it gets "too much" to listen for more than a couple of minutes... Great he can "knit" all this music in his head, creating this solos, great a lot of people enjoy them, but I've only seldom been able (or willing to) listen to the whole play... Maybe piano, I can listen to, but with a lesser intensity of "lightning" as you put it... Good post!

[@nickd8289]

Pat is a amazing, I listen to off ramp album everyday. His improv is perfect. great video.

[@RDEnduro]

My favorite album is the Allman Brothers live at Filmore East. Many solos in there, guitar and drum, the best! This was more jazzy but amazing your right Beato

[@autk]

A great live album

[@donbebell9109]

Travels is my all time favorite live PMG album (double album to boot!!). Such a great take on Pats playing!! What gets me is that he moves seamlessly between songs like “Song for Bilbao” to what I consider the most beautiful PMG song “Farmers Trust”

[@transistorradiorecords3661]

Jazz music reminds me of elevator music. Mostly, too many notes. Give me "Shine on You Crazy Diamond" anytime. Pat does have great hair though. 🤪

[@maryvera123]

You can't catch lightning! Absolutely love this.

[@slowmarchingband1]

I admire and appreciate the extraordinary talent it takes to play that, but honestly..i couldn't imagine listening to it twice. It just doesn't connect with me at all. My loss, I'm sure.

[@nostromo7928]

Same here. It's not for me but I can still appreciate the. skill it takes to pull it off.

[@RobinHodson]

Heard that record on my 19th birthday, the week it came out, and it changed my life.

[@joesmith4443]

‘You use the word ‘effortless’ no believe me I’ve spent like a lifetime trying to get to the point where I understand so that I can be.’ -Pat Metheny