Pat Metheny - Secret Story

SECRET STORY is Pat Metheny's most ambitious solo project to date. Striking out on his own after many successful years with his Pat Metheny Group, the guitarist makes a grand statement with this collection of works that spans the globe in scope. Although some pieces could easily have come off of a PMG collection, Metheny borrows from a wide range of textures here, from Cambodian choirs to Brazilian percussion to European orchestras. All of this is held together by Metheny's always-expressive guitar playing.

Right away the listener is keyed into the fact that this is a unique project by the otherworldly vocal chants of the opening "Above The Treetops," a short introduction to a broader sonic world. More familiar ground is covered in such Group-esque works as the exciting "Facing West" and the exceptional "See The World." However, it is the more eclectic pieces like the dramatically intricate "Finding And Believing," which can only be described as Indian-flavored funk (!), and the dream-like "Rain River" where Metheny is at his creative best. Of special note are the many dramatic ballads like the beautiful "Always And Forever," the delicate "The Longest Summer," and the epic "The Truth Will Always Be."

Tracks:
1. Above the Treetops
2. Facing West
3. Cathedral in a Suitcase
4. Finding and Believing
5. Longest Summer
6. Sunlight
7. Rain River
8. Always and Forever
9. See the World
10. As a Flower Blossoms (I Am Running to You)
11. Antonia
12. Truth Will Always Be
13. Tell Her You Saw Me
14. Not to Be Forgotten (Our Final Hour)

Personnel:
- Pat Metheny (acoustic & electric guitars, guitar synthesizer, electric sitar, trumpet, flugelhorn, Synclavier, synthesizer, keyboards, piano, electric bass, electric percussion); - David Blamires, Mark Ledford, Akiko Yano (vocals);
- Nana Vasconcelos (vocals, percussion);
- Ryan Kisor, Michael Mossman (trumpets, flugelhorns);
- John Clark (French horn);
- Tom Malone (trombone);
- Dave Bargeron (trombone, tuba);
- Dave Taylor (bass trombone);
- Andy Findon (flute);
- Toots Thielemans (harmonica);
- Skaila Kanga (harp);
- Lyle Mays, Gil Goldstein (acoustic pianos, accordions);
- Anthony Jackson (contrabass guitar);
- Will Lee (electric bass);
- Steve Rodby (acoustic & electric bass);
- Charlie Haden (acoustic bass);
- Armando Marcal, Steve Ferrone,
- Paul Wertico (percussion);
- Danny Gottlieb (cymbals);
- Members Of The London Orchestra, Members Of The Quebec Children's Choir, Jeremy Lubbock, Gavyn Wright.

Additional vocals: Members of the Pinpeat Orchestra of the Royal Ballet and the Choir of the Royal Cambodian Palace.Gil Goldstein (accordion, piano);
Recorded at the Power Station, New York in the fall and winter of 1991-92 and at EMI-Abbey Road Studio, London, England.
All songs written by Pat Metheny.
Label: Geffen Records