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Cuong Vu Trio With Pat Metheny: Cuong Vu Trio Meets Pat Metheny
ByThe results are exactly what the album title promises: Cuong Vu's trio with guest. Most of the music is composed by Vu, so it's very much Metheny playing within Vu's concept. Metheny is such a strong musical personality that he can't avoid putting his stamp on the session. But he's also drawn into musical circumstances different from the ones he usually sets up for himself as leader. Electric bassist Stomu Takeishi and drummer Ted Poor are a formidable rhythm section, with a contemporary sensibility. They can swing or rock, and they bring a kind of punk energy to the music. So it's not surprising that Metheny favors over-driven and synthesizer guitar tones more than usual on the date. "Acid Kiss" opens the album, and right out of the gate it builds to one of Metheny's patented raging, apocalyptic synthesizer guitar solosa move that is usually reserved for the end of a set.
There are two ballads as well: "Seeds of Doubt" and "Let's Get Back." The latter tune is the most conventional track: it could almost be described as a "power ballad." "Tiny Little Pieces" is a rubato song that justifies its title by gradually falling apart at the end. Metheny's sole compositional contribution ("Telescope") sounds like it was written for Vu. He takes the lead in a typically melodic Metheny head, then the solos build to squealing trumpet on top of overdriven guitar chords. The final tune is Andrew D'Angelo's "Tune Blues," which is both a blues and a free blow, with some modern harmonic twists. It's no surprise that this bunch sounds great playing the blues, too. Cuong Vu Trio Meets Pat Metheny is a complete success, a treat for fans of both musicians.
Track Listing
Acid Kiss; Not Crazy (Just Giddy Upping); Seeds Of Doubt; Tiny Little Pieces; Telescope; Let's Get Back; Tune Blues.
Personnel
Cuong Vu
trumpetCuong Vu: trumpet; Stomu Takeishi: bass; Ted Poor: drums; Pat Metheny: guitar.
Album information
Title: Cuong Vu Trio Meets Pat Metheny | Year Released: 2016 | Record Label: Nonesuch Records