Description
Originally released on April 27, 1981, As Falls Wichita, So Falls Wichita Falls is the first and only album credited to longtime collaborators Pat Metheny (electric and acoustic guitars, bass) and Lyle Mays (piano, organ, synthesizers, autoharp). Brazilian percussionist/singer Nana Vasconcelos completed the lineup. Why is this recording so significant? The most impressionistic entry in the musicians’ combined and respective discographies, the album illuminates different (and fascinating) facets of their artistic personalities.
Of course, venturing into surprising new territory was par for the course for Metheny. As Falls Wichita was his seventh album. Still, nothing Metheny had done previously hinted at this sprawling masterpiece.
The nearly 21-minute title track comprises the entirety of Side One/first part of CD. This is movie-music, a cinematic composition. From the outset, the listener understands that this music is in no hurry. It starts slowly and unfolds patiently.
Now 66, Metheny continues to perform and record. His latest album, Road to the Sun, was released last month.
Lyle Mays, sadly, died in 2020 after a long illness. Nana Vasconcelos passed away in 2016.
40 years on from it’s initial release, this very welcome re-issue remains one of Rod’s & my all time favourite jazz albums…(amongst a swag of others of course!)
