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SUBJECT:	AAJ review: Pat Metheny: The Orchestrion Project (2CD Set) Back to Subjects
djbinder Feb 05 2013 at 7:21 AM	A review of Pat Metheny’s The Orchestrion Project, today at All About Jazz. Since releasing Orchestrion (Nonesuch) in 2010 and embarking on a world tour with this behemoth of a one-man band, the guitarist has proven this was not a one-off project, bringing smaller versions of this pneumatic and solenoid-driven orchestra on the road with trios and his most recent Unity Band. But when it came to the inevitable live recording that has followed most Metheny projects since the mid-’90s, rather than leaving to chance this complex machinery and reducing the video potentials, Metheny recorded this "live" album - which includes a setlist like that of the tour - in a nearby cathedral, where a multi-angle shoot was more feasible. The resulting DVD/3D Blu-Ray came out last fall, and was a terrific opportunity for those who’d missed the tour to find out what the hubbub was all about. Now, a two-CD set from the same recording comes out, but rather than being identical to the video releases, Metheny has shuffled the setlist order considerably, making The Orchestrion Project, the CD, a strong case for just how important the order of the songs played is to the overall experience...in this case, very different but just as good. Review here: http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=43836
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yossarian Mar 15 2013 at 7:49 PM	The Orchestrion Project deserves soooo much more attention in the national media. Just pinching myself looking back at that tour. Incredible feat.
Chris Digger Mar 14 2013 at 6:57 AM	This 2-CD-set is phenomenal! The stereo sound is unbelievable! Much better sound than on the original Orchestrion-CD. Plus the 2 improvisations are awesome! And the revisited tunes are at least as good as the originals - but played in another sound spectrum...cool!!!
bluepno Mar 02 2013 at 2:26 PM	Just listening to the project...the transformation from nothing to the original album(amazing)...then as in only in true jazz musician form the morphing of the live dvd and 2 cd just brings a whole new dimension to the music...truly amazing.
naut Mar 02 2013 at 8:11 AM	thehague and I often agree. The sound, as the playing, is superb. I love the tempo of "Entry Point," one of my favorite tracks this time around. Also love the Beatles quotes in "Spirit of the Air." So fine to hear an old favorite like "Sueno" recast. For some reason, I don’t think these are the same versions/mixes as the video, but maybe I’m wrong. I read somewhere that Pat did several takes of all the songs. Anyway, OP is a masterpiece, and one Pat’s most admired records. How does a human play as fast as "Stranger in Town"?
thehague Mar 01 2013 at 5:26 PM	This set is so much better than the studio album. Not only the recording quality but also the way Pat plays. So much energy.
naut Feb 25 2013 at 5:22 PM	I like this album so much. I’ve been listening to it almost non stop, for a few weeks. Quite an achievement, to say the least. The studio O and a year of touring led to this masterpiece. Thanks Pat!
drum523 Feb 17 2013 at 4:21 PM	This cd is great and as I stated previously Improvisation # 2 is amazing. Pat, bring the orchestrion back for a "Chapter 2". I am jazz drummer amd was really inspired with this composition. I get chills every time I hear it as I did at the Keswick, and Town Hall in New York in 2010. I welcome any comments.
djbinder Feb 16 2013 at 10:47 PM	The booklet discusses the sequencing - and heck, my review discusses it too, though done without having had access to the booklet. And no, it had nothing to do with capacity of CDs, it was quite intentionally resequenced to make it a different experience, given it’s the same recording (albeit with a different mix).
naut Feb 15 2013 at 7:06 AM	I have to agree with thehague on the sound quality of the initial O: great album, but the sound is a bit muffled, so to speak. Anyway, still listening to "Improv #2" and the way Pat comes back into the main theme, after the interlude, at 5:23 is joyous, transcendent, and just plain fun. Tremendous!
thehague Feb 14 2013 at 2:36 AM	Mugsy, the studio recording wasn’t too good in my book. Muffled, practically no high frequencies. The worst recording of Pat ever. Sonically, that is. Of course musically it’s fabulous.
eric Feb 13 2013 at 8:00 PM	In the Question and Answer section Pat tells us it is a completely new mix. very excited to hear it! Thanks Pat!
mugsy Feb 13 2013 at 2:43 PM	I just received the new CD yesterday and have listened to it twice. I am definitely NOT an audiophile by any definition, but it seems to me that the sound quality is considerably better on this 2 CD project over the original Orchestrion. I am talking about the original five songs. I hear much more in this recording than I do on the original. Anybody else notice this?
eric Feb 13 2013 at 7:34 AM	I’d like to understand if the sequencing is something Pat actually chose or if it has to do with the storage capability of CDs. I want to think Pat has participated in sequencing of both these projects. I’d also like to know if the mixes are the same, if the sound quality is variable. I love these pieces in any event. A new Pat release is always cause for celebration!
djbinder Feb 06 2013 at 1:12 PM	Yes, Naut; same performances different order.
naut Feb 06 2013 at 4:48 AM	I’m looking forward to this album, even more than I did the vid. I guess these are the same cuts from the O vid, just re-arranged? I’m with you, drum523--"Improv #2" is a killer Pat tune. Got mine ordered. btw, "a strong case for just how important the order of the songs played is to the overall experience" is also key to Simon’s Rhythm of the Saints - Paul’s preferred order, far better, got usurped by the idiot suits downtown.
drum523 Feb 05 2013 at 9:05 PM	I am looking forward to the release of the Orchestrion cd and one of my favorite tracks would be Improvisation #2 and Antonia. I hope a follow up Orchestrion will be performed in the future.
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