Pat Metheny – Dream Box

Pat Metheny is one of my favorite recording artists. I first got hooked on Metheny in 1978 with the Pat Metheny Group album on ECM. I then went through the ECM Metheny back catalog, including Metheny’s time with Gary Burton, and became a super fan. Since 1978 I have tried to collect every album by Metheny both as a leader and as a side man. In many cases, I have titles in multiple formats (LP and CD) and several duplicates (now part of the Desert Sessions). I have made a point to see him live whenever I can. I was stoked for this new album as it is solo electric guitar and is a sample of how he composes. Per Pat’s website (and liner notes):

“Dream Box is an unusual recording for me; a compilation of solo tracks recorded across a few years that I discovered while listening on tour. I often make quick recordings of things; a new tune, a new (or old) guitar, a standard tune, or just to try something out… I have a spot in my laptop where I stash these things. And truthfully; often never to be heard again.”

“These nine tracks were my favorites and added up to something unique for me. I never played any of these initial tracks included here more than that once. These are really moments in time, and in fact, I have almost no memory of having recorded most of them. They just kind of showed up.”

“The focus here is on electric guitar, but maybe more to the point; quiet electric guitar. It is an area of particular interest for me.”

“Regarding the title, box is musician slang for a hollow-body electric guitar. Using that vernacular, there are some super cool Dream Box instruments represented on this recording, including the prototype of new instrument I have been working with Ibanez on that reflects my interest in pre-war Charlie Christian style pick-ups.”

PatMetheny.com

This music can be used as background music, and when you are in the mood, it is complex enough to be actively listened to. It is absolutely beautiful noodling. Per Pat: “I hope folks might find some dreams of their own in this music.”

This is a real treat – a peek inside Pat’s e-notebooks to see the foundation of his composition process and performance. We get Metheny with all his skills: composer, soloist, arranger, performer and the electric guitarist with my favorite tone and expression. It is presented simply and beautifully – first sketches. Despite these recordings being first take “bedroom recordings,” it sounds like it was recorded in a decent studio. These are not demo quality, but rather high-fidelity recordings. I guess from an improvisational musician of Metheny’s stature, I shouldn’t be surprised that his first drafts are complete ideas and polished performances.

I started listening via a Tidal Master/MQA stream and it sounds fantastic. I could probably get away with just the digital stream, but this is Pat Metheny and I have almost everything he has ever recorded on vinyl or CD. I assume the original recordings are digital, but Metheny has a track record of pressing great vinyl even if the source is digital. Dream Box is no exception. The vinyl is quiet and the mix/master is wonderfully analog. It has warmer and a more intimate feel than the high resolution digital stream. It immediately brought me back to the ECM days, this is a gorgeous sounding LP.

Ultimately this is a headphone album that is best consumed with minimal distractions. 50 years into his career Metheny remains at the top of his game.