Pat Metheny Group : Minuano

     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3rjNHDi6Fg

     To discuss how texture and meter effect and present meaning in music I have chosen this great tune from Jazz guitarist Pat Metheny. The song was originally recorded in 1987 by the Pat Metheny Group on the album Still Life Talking. "Minuano" is a great example of how instruments can come together to create beautiful music.
     The track's meter is in 6/8 though it doesn't become as apparent until later on in the song. What's really cool about this song is how it introduces and dismisses instruments to create a unique feel. The song starts off with guitar, bass, piano, and chimes. With a singular bass note the whole ensemble jumps right in. The bass guitar and piano are playing very minimalistic parts while the guitar plays a continuos line. With the fluctuating guitar volume and the introduction of chimes the piece seems to me to flow in waves, bringing the image of the ocean. Soon the vocals chime in and create a beautiful melody over the piece. The piece seems to be gradually increasing in volume and the percussion ups, adding crashing cymbals to the mix. Soon the waves to me grow larger and larger until they climax with a crash, and the real tune begins.
     Now the percussion and drums really kick in and it definitely feels like 6/8. The guitars melody in the head is beautiful and is accompanied the first time by whistling and the second time by a voice.  During Metheny's solo I could really tell he was trying to make a melodic statement. With the rest of the band in full swing, the upbeat drums and piano the solo really came off as uplifting and energetic. This song to me is just proof that it doesn't really matter if they're are words in a song to get a point across. Jazz music continuously shows this time and time again and this tune is no exception.
     Listen after Metheny's solo and the head as all the parts drop except for piano and drums. They create this punchy repeating passage that grows and grows until finally at the climax we reach this pure awesome energy that leads into the head, loud and apparent as ever. The vocals and guitar are screaming, the drums pounding, the bass flying. Then to add to the noise a new layer of piano come in to envelope the last few bars. The energy couldn't be any higher then it stops. If I could each word in that last paragraph would be getting larger and larger to show how insane this song is. It really shows how texture can create feeling, can bring something across. How instruments can work together to create beautiful compositions. The feelings invoked from this tune are different for everyone. To me it is a song about the joy and exuberance of life. What does it say to you?