Pat Metheny – Side-Eye III+

Pat Metheny’s “Side-Eye” is a collaborative, rotating-cast project featuring Metheny alongside emerging, talented younger musicians. It launched around 2019 and focuses on reimagining Metheny’s extensive catalog and debuting new compositions in a trio format.

I had the good fortune of seeing a version of the Side -Eye trio in September of 2019 at the Dakota in Minneapolis. I have seen Metheny at least a dozen times in various ensembles, and that Side-Eye trio was one of my top 5 Metheny performances. The album from that tour, SIDE-EYE NYC (V1.IV), is one of my favorite Metheny albums. Side-Eye has been a live project, so I was stoked when a new Side-Eye studio album was coming out, along with a tour in support of it (which I will see later this spring in Chandler, AZ).

Per Mechany’s website:

Side-Eye III+, the latest evolution of Metheny’s Side-Eye project – a concept he first introduced to showcase the next generation of exceptional young musicians who have come onto his radar in recent years. The album features Metheny alongside Chris Fishman on keyboards and Joe Dyson on drums, the trio at the heart of the Side-Eye ensemble that has toured extensively worldwide.

Metheny explains, “Once I got in the studio with the guys, I realized that while the trio concept was perfect for us as a live ensemble, the music I had written was asking for something bigger. That is where the ‘+’ in Side-Eye III+ comes in. I ended up adding fifteen other musicians to the trio — expanding the sonic world of the record far beyond what we had done before.”

Recorded in the studio, Side-Eye III+ brings together an additional cast of musicians including bassist Daryl Johns, harpist Brandee Younger, percussionist Luis Conte, and a vocal ensemble led by Mark Kibble of Take 6, creating a richly layered and expansive musical landscape.

As usual, the album is impeccably recorded, arranged, performed, mixed, and mastered. The performance is youthful – clearly, the young musicians Metheny is hanging with are good for his soul. This is a joyful album.

The album is available on high-resolution streaming services as a 24-bit/96 kHz FLAC/PCM. The vinyl edition is clean and well-pressed.

Track list:

“In On It” is jazz-rock in the tradition of Weather Report, with Metheny’s unique guitar voice. The tune has two similar jazz sections with an electronica bridge.

“Don’t Look Down” is a classic ECM ’80s-style Pat Metheny Group (PMG) sound.

“Make a New World” is more of that ECM era PMG melody, dynamics, and arrangement – can’t get enough of this vibe – he can play like this all day!

“Urban and Western” has a nice gospel vibe, complete with a rich vocal ensemble. This is a new and welcome sound for Metheny.

“SE-O” has a late 60s/early 70s a acid jazz vibe. Lots of organ. There is nothing better in jazz than a funky organ trio!

“Our Old Street” is classic, contemplative acoustic-guitar Metheny. This is my least favorite version of Pat, but it is still lush and gorgeous.

“Risk and Reward” is contemplative, electric Pat, which is more up my alley. It is an elaborate, nearly ten-minute suite.

“So Far, So Good” is acoustic-guitar Pat again, but it swells into full Metheny-ensemble glory before settling back to earth.

Metheny explores his past (through new compositions), yet it feels fresh thanks to the brilliant young musicians he is collaborating with. Despite being 71, Metheny sounds youthful. This is becoming one of my favorite Metheny albums. I can’t wait to see this iteration of Metheny live!