Quartet expands upon the "dream pairing" - begun by guitarist Pat Metheny and pianist Brad Mehldau on their 2006 Nonesuch collaboration, Metheny/Mehldau. This time they incorporate the members of Mehldau's trio, bassist Larry Grenadier and drummer Jeff Ballard, into a breathtakingly eclectic set, which ranges from the airy, pastoral "Don't Wait" to straight-up rocking in the slowly building "Towards the Light." Last year, London's Evening Standard described Metheny and Mehldau as "graceful, lyrical improvisers...It's a duo performance that deserves to tour." Now the pair is indeed hitting the road, along with Mehldau's two band-mates, in March for a month of shows throughout North America in support of Quartet. The 11 tracks that comprise Quartet were cut during the week-length December 2005 session at Manhattan's Right Track that yielded Metheny /Mehldau, a recording date that, over time, will surely be considered a landmark in contemporary jazz. On Quartet, each artist contributes original solo compositions as well as their first co-written piece, "A Night Away." The group also reworks Mehldau's "Fear and Trembling," which originally appeared on House On Hill, Mehldau's final outing with his previous trio lineup. It also interprets Metheny's "Marta's Theme," from his score to the 1998 Italian film, A Passage to Paradise. Quartet is perhaps even more adventurous and just as rewarding as their first release; the exhilarating back and forth between Metheny and Mehldau continues with their eagerly awaited live dates.
New Age-leaning guitarist Pat Metheny and melancholic pianist Brad Mehldau have such distinctive, even rarified, sensibilities (each an acquired taste for some listeners), that their teaming may have looked like a one-time commercial ploy in the beginning. But having found rewarding common ground and a receptive audience through their shared love of pop, Brazilian music and Americana, they likely will work together again. Recorded at the same time as their first album, a duo effort, Quartet takes a satisfying step forward in featuring the Mehldau trio's first-rate bass and drum team, Larry Grenadier and Jeff Ballard, on most of the tracks. Ranging from rhapsodic reflections to full-tilt fusion fare to loping, Wes Montgomery-inspired tunes--and let's not overlook that Asian-tinged song featuring Metheny on 42-string guitar--the music is sometimes a bit soft at the core. But when the stars are aligned, as on the effortlessly flowing, co-written opener, "A Night Away," and Metheny's charming "En La Tierra Que No Olvida," their partnership glows. It will be interesting to hear where they go from here. --Lloyd Sachs

Customer Rating:
Summary: Pleasant but not memorable
Comment: I had most of Pat Metheny's musical output. I did not have this and I did not have his very first CD "Pat Metheny Group." I ordered both CD's at the same time. I love the "Pat Metheny Group" CD and if you don't have it get it as it really is one of his best. This CD pales by comparison. The music is pleasant but goes nowhere. Pat Metheny in my mind is one of the few musicians whose music is evocative to me. I get chills even now thinking of some of his songs in my head. There is nothing evocative or memorable here. Great dinner music but it starts and stops there. There are a couple of songs that stand out (Towrds the Light in particulary) but much of it is infected by sameness. I am no fan of the Jim Hall collaberation for much of the same reasons. I'm still glad I bought it and have nearly a complete collection but don't get your expectations too high.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Mehldau is no Mays
Comment: I have been a huge Metheny fan since the Offramp tour. But I find this CD almost unlistenable. All of the Mehldau/Metheny music sounds like "Pat Light"--you know, "Weather Channel music." I absolutely do not hear what so many others apparently hear in Mehldau's playing. More Lyle!More Lyle all the time!

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Metheny Mehldau Quartet
Comment: Excellent music, I just can't get enough of listening this album, Pat gives room to hear great piano too!

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Customer Rating:
Summary: A wonderful combination
Comment: This is a second Metheny Mehldau experience which combines the genius ability of a world class guitar player with a shining star piano player. The result? stunning and interesting!

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Customer Rating:
Summary: just click the "add to cart" button
Comment: My wife and I thought it'd be cool to spend a weekend in Toronto and see the Metheny/Mehldau Quartet. We were right!! The studio recording does a nice job of capturing what the quartet did live. This is one of those rare cd's that'll reside in your car stereo player for a week at a time. Highly recommended.

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