Pat Metheny Group: Imaginary Day Live

Recorded live at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga, California in 1998, the Pat Metheny Group--led by the noted jazz fusion guitarist and co-songwriter Lyle Mays on piano--perform 10 songs here, mostly from their acclaimed 1997 release Imaginary Day. Although I confess I'm more of an early day New Chautauqua (1979) fan of Pat Metheny, before his jazz guitar leanings decidedly crossed the line into fusion, I was impressed with the range offered here on the near-rock "Roots of Coincidence," the pop-like "Follow Me," and the lovely ballad "Across the Sky." Still, this is neither a Pat Metheny's greatest hits nor an especially impressive looking concert (the night footage is quite grainy in spots), making this an optional purchase, though more comprehensive music (and particularly jazz) collections will want to consider. Aud: P. (R. Pitman)