John Pizzarelli Plays Pat Metheny

This album shouldn't work. One superb artist recording the music of another usually happens many years after the subject has passed away. But John Pizzarelli's new album, Better Days Ahead: Solo Guitar Takes on Pat Metheny, works beyond your wildest dreams. It's as if John said to himself, “Why not now?" And he's right. The idea of taking on Metheny's compositions and doing so alone is about as beautiful a tribute as one can imagine. Add the fact that John is a monster guitarist and you have an album that is pure audio splendor.

Metheny, of course, has always been a fascinating mix of styles and influences. Best known for his albums Letter From Home, Still Life (Talking), Imaginary Day, Speaking of Now and The Way Up, the guitarist spent his early years listening to Wes Montgomery before heeding Ornette Coleman's musical call on his 1960s albums to stand out by exploring new territory. Metheny lived in Brazil in the 1970s, an experience that rubbed off. But you can also hear Joni Mitchell, James Taylor and many Laurel Canyon singer-songwriters in the sailing quality of his music as well as rock influences. No wonder Metheny has 20 Grammys and is the only artist to have won Grammys in 10 different categories.

John Pizzarelli captures all of the poetry and moodiness of Metheny's music, from the smooth-jazz introspection to the samba-jazz fusion. Interestingly, John approaches the music from the same place as Metheny. He understands his adventuresome passion and the complex chord voicings, contrapuntal tones and figures that make Metheny special. Best of all, John is gentle and lyrical and able to climb inside the music with his electrified acoustic guitar, allowing it to breathe and flare. The Metheny songs covered are Better Days Ahead, Spring Ain't Here, April Wind/Phase Dance, September Fifteenth, James, Antonia, (It's Just) Talk, Letter From Home, If I Could, Last Train Home, From This Place, The Bat and Farmer's Trust.

I don't know why Metheny's songs remind me of Boston. When I listen to them in John's hands, the music sounds like the soundtrack to my college years, even though I was there 10 years before Metheny's popular '80s albums. Nevertheless, John's new album makes me feel similarly wistful, as if the semester is about to start and I have to head off to the bookstore.

Perhaps it's the music's mellow ease and ambition all rolled into one expression or John's brilliant job channeling Metheny's eager storytelling style. All I know is that after listening to the album for the 10th time yesterday, I had an urge to walk Boston's Commonwealth Avenue into the Back Bay section to Charles Street. John's new album is precious and will certainly hit you in interesting, nostalgic places.

JazzWax clips: Here's John Pizzarelli playing Better Days Ahead...



Here's Antonia...



And here's Spring Ain't Here...