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.

[@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!

[@larrywoolard8314]

Lyle Mays. That keyboard solo never fails to astound. And now he’s gone. But what a legacy of brilliance...

[@markproulx1472]

larry woolard: It is difficult to comprehend the extent of his genius.

[@herrbonk3635]

THAT solo?? I'm impressed with most of his solos.

[@fawltytenor]

Whenever he did those long solos with a slow build up, it was pure magic. This was an amazing tour probably the best played show I ever saw. The band was so tight.

[@IzabelParis]

RIP Lyle Mays, we love you, thank you 🙏

[@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!!!

[@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 !!!

[@chriscassier4064]

Pedro frickin' nailed it! Great song!

[@MarekPasieczny]

I miss so much old PMG 😔

[@macpipo2003]

me too :-(

[@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!

[@LucasPenido]

Rest in Peace Lyle Mays! Had to watch this video...this one hurst. 😔🙏💔

[@roberteckert]

That is a hell of a great solo Lyle takes!

[@thanhmvo]

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

[@usandthemakakelly2535]

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

[@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.

[@craigparrish7139]

Magical in every way, and Lyle Mays is simply burning on this song. RIP to a true visionary genius.

[@pamelag.00]

Such a precious recording with Pedro singing- pure bliss!

[@robertmueller5843]

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

[@SammyMorales61]

La voz de Pedro Aznar es insuperable.

[@anguspodgorny8211]

I was lucky enough to make a port of call in Argentina while on active duty in the Navy in 1992. I visited a few record stores and asked about Pedro Aznar, have you heard of him, do you have his CDs etc. My queries were met with a certain reverence, and I did indeed score of few of his solo CDs which were brilliant. This song and many more Pat / Pedro songs that followed will always be among my all time favorites.

[@LucasPenido]

I've (no kidding) watched this video over 100 times (EAAAASILY) during the past few years! When I first watched it, I watched it 5 times in a row...just to see the details and how impacted I was by it!

[@pwcinla]

Surely, the most perfect piece of music ever. And this version one of the best; the last two minutes puts hairs on the back of the hairs on the back of my neck.

[@bernarddaigle2830]

I was at this concert. I remember it vividly.

[@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 😊

[@uneedtherapy42]

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

[@pauloluz2391]

Bravo, Aznar!!

[@carmellaanderson-bey9832]

Love Pat Metheny Group and Pedro Aznar amazing!

[@extremadrummer]

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

[@yamucharo]

hard to find a word to describe greatness of this song

[@JOHNWALLACE.]

33 years ago. And it's still SUPREME!!!❤ R.I.P. LYLE MAYS

[@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!

[@reneangulotrujillo1]

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

[@monoble619]

This is, without a doubt, one of the Top Ten jazz songs of all time! The usage of the classical A-B-A format, along with the atypical time signature(s), is/are outstanding and the amazing performances of both Pedro and Lyle are breathtaking! Wow! One of my favorite songs ever!

[@monoble619]

+Mo Noble Sorry if I sound a little pretentious...

[@roberteckert]

I agree. This is an outstanding composition!

[@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👏

[@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. ....

[@afterpodcast]

Wow! This is one of the most amazing performances by Lyle Mays.

[@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

[@paulbelfrage876]

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

[@Mark-ts5pd]

This song is so ridiculously written and performed it should be in the Smithsonian "songs the entire human race should hear until we're extinct "

[@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

[@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!

[@hanscastillo4648]

Pura magia musical, grandes todos, grande Pedrito Aznar

[@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

[@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 😊

[@sebastianaddict8937]

Amazing. You can tell the crowd was absolutely blown away. And I love how there's not a single cell phone.

[@larrywoolard7965]

Surely there was at least one Motorola Dynatech 3000 out there😜

[@anguspodgorny8211]

IMO, the most beautiful song ever!

[@markproulx1472]

What beautiful music!

[@AJDOLDCHANNELARCHIVE]

The best line-up of PMG. See you back here on Earth soon Lyle!

[@maverick-lp2dy]

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

[@tmansrp]

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

[@barbaramartin-hasty5988]

Pedro Aznar: perfection

[@mkitahara]

The years with Pedro were the best...

[@DrummerFL83]

I first came upon this song in the year 2005 (very late, I know. I was living under a rock before then) and I stumbled upon it via a jazz radio on itunes. Ever since then, I listen to it almost on a daily basis. The good times, the bad times. I imagine how my life has been with all the ups and downs. When I hit rock bottom in my life and how I've overcome everything and where I'm at now. How I'll die, and how I'll be received in the afterlife. You may or may not have spiritual beliefs, but I'll tell you this: I've dreamt of this song playing; seen how I'll die, and how I'll be received by all those who have and will love me up in heaven many a time. Minute 06:51 begins my death journey and the rest has already been written. This song is my life story. Thank you, Pat Metheny Group.

[@jpbarrerac]

Maybe one of the betters musical works written in the 20th century, thanks Pat for this gift, you and other genius makes the Earth a better place!!!!

[@Gala2021]

Lo máximo. Nunca me cansaré de escuchar First Circle con sus intérpretes originales, el Pat Metheny Group, irrepetibles.

[@adburger]

RIP Lyle Mays

[@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!

[@fredg8564]

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

[@Xenophanes198]

Amazing. You can just tell the crowd was blown away

[@sharonjones9769]

This never gets old !!!!

[@jerrygeist1677]

We miss you Lyle, 🙏 RIP.

[@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!

[@luiginatomasi558]

Una meraviglia musicale... Un crescendo armonico che arriva all''apoteosi orgasmica!

[@jean-louiscousineau754]

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

[@freddycee7092]

This is my memory song & album

[@ronaldsyrie4219]

I was there Montréal, Québec. 1989 at FIJM.

[@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.

[@pixelatedparcel]

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

[@StewartGartland]

I loved this and albums like letter from home because i love paul werticos drumming. Spacious cymbal work, ebbing and flowing with the dynamics but never smothering the overall sound. This is a masterpiece!

[@hobie1dog]

Go Pedro

[@walterrychekoski1261]

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

[@veronicavasquezbascunan1083]

Excelente por genialmente musical! 💝🤩😍🎶🎵💯

[@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

[@carlosenriquecrousillat2483]

Gran musique, unique, extraordinaire !

[@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 😇

[@jojo3010]

beautiful voice of Aznar

[@kidb1954]

the best guitarist of the 20th century

[@curtismitchell538]

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

[@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

[@imaginarytube]

God I miss Lyle Mays. Rest in peace brother!

[@rosymylene1878]

Lyle!!! genius.

[@zarkozivkovic7954]

Genius song !!!!!!!!

[@ActualizateChile]

The song of my life...

[@petershim5900]

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

[@DrBig-qf3uc]

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

[@jani1109]

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

[@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!

[@tiffanydouglas2686]

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

[@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

[@shinichi_kawakami]

Pat y Pedro AZNAR latinoamerica presente papá! !!

[@luisburk8432]

Salve, Pedrito querido!

[@NormVW2013]

Incredible solo by Lyle.

[@joshmazzanti2396]

a master piece....

[@imaginarytube]

epic!

[@salvarriale161]

No words for this masterpiece

[@36index73]

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

[@TomTom-xp2jb]

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

[@carlacampos3271]

Finalmente encontrei o vídeo com Pedro Aznar fazendo o solo.... ouvi, pela primeira vez em 1995, no vinil e fiquei maravilhada

[@goytabr]

+CARLA CAMPOS, eu ouvi dez anos antes de você, logo que saiu o disco, e sou absolutamente apaixonado por esta música e este disco desde então. Também amo de paixão o "American Garage" e o "As Falls Wichita..."

[@pheavy100]

Beautiful music in a beautiful city, my home town.

[@lusbyo]

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

[@ronaldnilson659]

A true feast for the ears

[@jamesmckellar2784]

I think that is Paul Wertico on drums

[@AJDOLDCHANNELARCHIVE]

Yep, best line-up of the PMG.