Pat Metheny Group - San Lorenzo (1978)

[olmecaarts]

My ALL TIME FAVORITE SONG!!!!! Thank You so much..Archeological site for me San Lorenzo in Mexico (Olmec Territory) Made my last year living at home at 17 extra special...Memories....Such depths...Takes me on a winding journey every time..

[Burno136]

Unbelievable....never thought I see this 

[dddddssssssddd]

amazing!!!!!!!!!!

[ruiner54]

ahead of their time in my opinion

[stevanmichel]

Brilliant! Thanks from Holland

[asystolgod]

My mother would play this for my sister and I as we went to sleep. This album was a major part of my childhood 1974-1992, I was raised on these notes, the highest sweeping highs and the calming seas that would flow out from every instrument! A very inspirational album I can say with no doubt! Listening to the rains of the Willamette Valley as we fell asleep to San Lorenzo!! Thanks for posting this!

[davidcsfc]

9:00 woooow

[jasonarmstrong1982]

Who could possibly dislike this?

[theclatfordmob]

@clicks59 Bass player was first in the line up Mark Egan. Read somewhere that Pat wasn't keen that Mark was doing more of his own thing i.e too many lead runs so he moved on.

Drummer was Dan Gottlieb. Both on the "white album".

Magical group ! I

This was the first song that got me started back in 78, so that makes me an oldy now. Still going to Pat's gigs though. :))

[clicks59]

Who are the bass player and drummer? They don't look familiar.

Thanks

[clutchpedal100]

OMG. Thank you so much for adding this video to Youtube. San Lorenzo is my absolute favorite tune by the Pat Metheny group. Lyle Mays' makes the piano/oberheim synthesizer sound like no other. Pat Metheny's guitar playing is incredible. Anytime I hear this song, I'm reminded of a nice mellow day.

[tscottmorton]

A big day of fun in 1978, a car load to carry home. I threw in the White Album for the ride. Sudden silence for the first three songs. Those with me who had never heard PMG before were stunned, even those not musicians. Pat always accuses himself of poor timing and intonation in those days, yet this remains my favorite album they ever did. (P.S. Let's hope for another Group album soon...)

[cmarcallen]

Man, this is just divine.

[GhettoNintendo]

Dilla

[ronte246]

@GhettoNintendo

Enjoy the music sir.

[RossElvin]

Yeah. Thanks for the video. What an incredible album, what an incredible guitar player and composer.

[drkam6]

A Masterpiece of beauty, glad to watch it on video... God bless you for uploading this marvel!

[8f13ld1n9]

I think Lyle blew even Pat's mind on this one. WOW.

[pattyheno]

Lyle Mays piano on this is sublime !!

[intojazznyc]

Danny Gotlieb on drums was the right choice,he is a music teacher in Manhattan,I always wanted Danny back in PMG,he is a master !

[MrRwmueller]

I remember seeing the group play this on Austin City Limits back in '78 and I ran to the local record store immediately and bought it. Have replaced it about 5 times so far. Still the best ever!!!

[damulag1215]

saw them @ the roxy,,,mission beach in '78 or '79..broke-up with my girlfriend after the concert for she would not shut up during the show...bwahahaha

[jorgeamp63]

One of the finest and more touching melodic piano solos ever!

[LaughingMan0960]

@krebly1 thank you for uploading. Still and always will be one of the most beautiful pieces of music I have ever heard in my life. Thank you and God bless you.

[folkhippy]

One of my all time favorite jazz LPs. Pat Metheny was an innovative genius during this era. Bright Sized Life, Watercolors, and PMG were all masterpieces from beginning to end. His intricate guitar solos are captivating. I'm not sure what happened after 1980 though. I have to say I am not a fan of the albums that came after American Garage; they sound like the music you hear when you turn on the Weather Channel. Can anybody point me to his best albums after this? Thanks!

[phortek]

@folkhippy Orchestrion? Innovate music for sure. The Mehldau stuff is amazing, and I also really liked Quartet. Also Pat is magical and etheral with Gary Burton. Look up Sea Journey.. The man moves through jazz like a Minuano

[zenpaganwarrior]

@folkhippy Travels (Live, 1983) is probably my favorite post-1980 PMG/PM album. Still Life Talking (1987) and Letter From Home (1989) are good, melodic jazz fusion recordings...The Road to You (Live in Italy, 1993) is great as well.

[folkhippy]

@zenpaganwarrior Thanks for the tip! Pat Metheny is my favorite jazz/fusion guitarist, but I wish I could find more than four of his albums that I really like. I am more of a Weather Report, electric Miles, Herbie Hancock, and John Coltrane fan, so I like my jazz to have a bit of a sharp edge. Going to check them out now! Much appreciated!

[mrFunkyGod]

beautifully crafted piece

[bej144]

Mssalimah: "16 years old and the world was beautiful." Me too, and it was, and that beauty was pretty well encapsulated in this piece. DAMN!! These guys are GENIUSES and frickin' timeless. God bless you, whoever posted all this '70's Metheny stuff. This is the beast music EVER.

[krebly1]

Orangefunk, I can't thank you enough for uploading this! It was an incredible memory of being inspired to go to the piano as a young girl, and continues to inspire me now!

[krebly1]

I can't believe this is on Youtube!!!! I remember skipping meals as a nineteen-year-old Berklee student so that I could afford to go see this magical group of musicians. I am crying now, just as I always did after listening to Lyle Mays' solo in this. The crescendo from 9:03 to 9:24 just before the rest of the band joins in the main theme still takes my breath away.

[orangefunk]

@krebly1 comments like this make me glad I uploaded this music and others...

[Tschugge]

@krebly1 This piano line is so inspiring people are making music only out of the solo:

watch?v=5PZzYg_wypE :D

[hiimbrady]

@krebly1 ahh ya ruined it ;)

[folkhippy]

I really feel that Bright Sized Life, Watercolors, and Pat Metheny Group were Pat's absolute best albums. There is a special magic that existed within the band and playing that sort of fizzled out after American Garage. 80/81 is good, but the pure innovation, dialed-up energy, and power of his mid to late-70s work never resurfaced for me. I treasure this music, and I am grateful to those who have been posting early PMG vids. Thanks! Enjoy the ride.

[zenpaganwarrior]

@folkhippy Oh yeah, can't believe I forgot to mention the Pat Metheny/Lyle Mays album "As Falls Wichita, So Falls Wichita Falls" (1981), which has some of their best compositional work ever, imho. My favorite 80s album of theirs behind Travels.

[MrKapustaTomasz2112]

wspanialy utwor..

bardzo dziekuje za jego zamieszczenie:)

[evboldt]

I saw Pat a couple of times at the Greek Theater in Griffith Park. Listening to San Lorenzo performed live under the summer stars at the Greek is just about as close to perfection as is humanly possible. Thanks, Pat.

[gusporot]

I heard and met American Garage by my friend Raul who now must hear it from heaven, he said, listening to The Epic and San Lorenzo, and I fell, I was very young in 1979, since then until now, Pat I has left and I have lived the best moments of my life with your music ... I spent all my money when he came to Argentina, I never thought he would, he inspired my music and my guitar, I hope that one day he can read these comments. Thanks Pat, you're the greatest. Raul, I carry in my heart.



[massenga]

So sublime, they can play this at my funeral.

[Inglejuice]

probably my favourite song of all time

[GovernorCedric]

When I first encountered Metheny on PBS in the early eighties it was Heavenly ... His music is Spiritual life Changing ... I used to travel the wold with a CD Walkman and Every Metheny CD with the Headphones Glued to My head 24-7 .... He is way ahead of His Time Still and Forever More

[leebax]

Power harmonics

[MrYourekiddingme]

If I were on death row, and they granted me one more piece of music to hear... this would be it! (This or "Stars and Stripes Forever")

[lagunabeachlad]

Metheny thought this sounded like a garage band? I'll bring some beer to that garage !!

[musicalman1995]

If this song was put into a lady... she would be beautiful... WHAT A BAD ANALOGY!

[Mas122862]

As much as Metheny won't admit to it, this is the song and line-up that defined his sound. He's a much better technically, now, and claims they sounded like a garage band, but there's something very pure, genuine and appealing about their sound back then (plus, Mark Egan's bass harmonics were a perfect compliment to Metheny's guitar). IMO, his "world music" recordings have been overproduced for decades now. I wish he'd return to his roots...

[nobodady1]

@Mas122862 In a live ensemble of this kind of size, I've always prefered to hear a sound and sense who in the band is making that sound. When there is this great wash of sounds --- a sort of orchestra comming at me from 4 piece group, I tend to disconnect from it ---- though I might enjoy a recording, or a larger ensemble producing thick layers of sound. I like these more intimate examples like early PMG, and his various quartets and trios.

[pretorious700]

1978-the height of disco in the states

artistic creativity will always rise above commercial nonsense

[mssalimah]

1978! Man I was sixteen and the world was a great place. Music, learning and love!

Thank you "Pat Metheny Group" Central High School/Class 239!!!

[funkster007]

This is absolutely my favorite Metheny song period. Mark Egan's slick bass lines always stuck with me listening to the album, but I have to say Lyle Mays' solo section here on the live version is mind blowing.

[chrisyounce]

I saw PMG at McDonald Kiva on campus at MSU in 1978, place was standing room only with about maybe 350 of us. My brother and 3 friends sat on the floor maybe 10' from the band, I shit you not it changed my life the way I love and listen to music since that night. PMG is the best..........any questions?

[ALXandroATS]

First time I saw PMG was on Austin City Limits around 1977 and was blown away. Had the tape cassette recorder ready for the second airing a few days later. Been a fan ever since.

[ZoamChomsky]

Orangefunk; Please make a torrent of this disk and post it on TPB. ;~)

[Webcat10]

Brilliant !

[eroche12]

Ever since I heard this album back in 1987 I have been a huge fan of Pat Metheny and not to forget the brilliant Lyle Mays. What a superb combination. I still regard the album "white"as one of my favorites next to "still live" When I am in certain mood always play the album "White". Being Danish, I always remember the nice danish summer walking though Copenhagen around evening time listing to "White" on the walkman. Lyle Mays "blue note" in Lorenzo is for me famous. Concert = live, both great!

[braamcacao]

how is it possible that this vid has 2 dislikes???

[aaokiwan]

@braamcacao They're Justin Bieber & Twilight fans. ; )

[braamcacao]

@aaokiwan

yesyes i know but that's even more interresting because how did they end up on metheny haha

[adam872]

How great is that piano solo. It may even surpass the album version. This is is just about the greatest song Pat ever recorded and he's done some absolute crackers.

[smf1494]

Birds fly in time to this music, sun rises with it. Thank you Lyle Mays, orangefunk.

[orangefunk]

@smf1494 Thanks man! Its appreciated!

[drumshowcase]

Danny Gottlieb is without a doubt one of my favorite players. I saw him in London with the BBC big band and he was awesome. This Metheny/Mays era for me is very special and magic and a big reason why I became a (serious) musician. Thank you Mr Metheny for the inspiration!!!

[squonkdh]

Brilliant piece of work, one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard...simply treasure!!

[acostarod]

The 1st time I heard this song I was a 1st year Pediatric Resident in Mexico City back in 1979. It was 4am in the morning in a jazz station, and it was magic. Since then, this piece has stayed with me as a very special one, and has been my motivation for the hard times (and believe me, in Mexico, you get hard times very frequently). Now my son (studying music at Interlochen, Mich) had the chance to go to a Lyle Mays concert last year in Kalamazoo, and I had his autograph!. Thanks orangefunk!

[MrRyte]

Incredible. Pat and Lyle are on a whole other level. This and Jaco are my favorite PMG songs.

[nickotwincities]

Nice, especially if you're a pathead.

[WickliffeHighBand]

Good Lord! Brilliant playing. Thanks for posting, orangefunk!

[Srayliji]

Saw this live back in the seventies. Lyle's piano solo actually moved me to tears, the only time that has ever happened to me.

[MFmaxx]

@hbsunsun, I'm right there with you. This was groundbreaking for me also. Been a huge Metheny fan every since Mays is amazing.

[MFmaxx]

@hbsunsun, I'm right there with you. This was groundbreaking for me also. Been a huge Metheny fan every since

[MFmaxx]

@hbsunsun, I'm right there with you. This was groundbreaking for me also. Been a huge Metheny fan every sine.

[MFmaxx]

@hbsunsun, I right there with you. This was groundbreaking for me also. Been a huge Metheny fan every sine.

[myblueroad]

Had this album

liked this song

[rklevy]

Pure Genius...Thank so much for posting.

[MrNolandmcfarland]

This was the Pat Metheny group first album.

[dgmquito]

I miss the fretless sound of Mark's bass and Danny's riding cymbals, think that was a big loss not to listen them in the PMG. Whatever the reason for their leaving.

[TAFNACV]

My favorite song from the favorite time of my life. Tnx

[Joeey]

Lyle says, "Pat, I'm going to kick your ass if you step on my solo."

[maddadram1]

Turn down the lights, pour yourself a cold one,

sit back and just get lost in this tune.. By far,

Metheny's best.

[fctchk]

wow, making that big grand with the top off sing!

[CribNotes]

This was my theme song during winter storms in New England that kept us out of school for a week in 1978. Just magical to listen to this and watch the snow outside burying us.

[huizilopoxtli]

Still my favorite Pat Metheny song after many years, a work of transcendent, luminous beauty. Thank you so very much for posting this.

[Medjai411]

thank you for this posting!!! what a legendary 12-string guitar by metheny. i love this tune so much

[deepkeel65]

Thank you so much. It is fascinating to see them so young, yet playing at such a high level. This is a beautiful, haunting tune that stays with you.

You just made my week! Joy, joy!

[cop2cop]

This performance is awesome !!! It's amazing how good they all could play already by then, thanks Pat and Lyle, but also Mark Egan and Dave Gottlieb did a wonderful job...respect

[emme817]

These are two of the best!!! It is almost like they are one another or in each others heads when they play! I absolutely Love them every time I get to see them and I will never forget the first at Hoftsra U in 1980!!! Wow what a sho!!!

[valsopuseight]

I use to go see pat metheny group at a locasl club in tulsa,okla. called the magician's theatre,the place was so small i usually stood next to the band. thanks for bringing back happy memories!

[westpalmscott]

So happy to find this They were so young when they did this. 23 or 24 yrs old. Metheny ha such a fluid melodic style and Mays has a similar approach on the keys

[raguivilla]

This was the first melody I've heard 31 years ago. The Long Play just cost me five dollars (in Mexico). In these 31 years I have bought the LP, Cassette, CD and DVD and Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays like the world class red wines, the more older the better!

[qazwsxedcrsgbyhnuj]

Any ideas what tuning he's using? Some variant of open Eb?

[theGrapefruit]

@qazwsxedcrsgbyhnuj I'm not a guitarplayer but I read him talking about some "Nashville" tuning in this piece, the three lowest strings being transponed one octave up or something

[fledgehog]

@qazwsxedcrsgbyhnuj

i read nashville somewhere, but that can't be right. though it could be losely based on nashville.

[gaspo218]

Still his best, brightest and happiest album of all time. So up. Makes you feel good everytime you listen to it. This is his best tune, his signature. Course, Lyle played the heck out of it. This lineup I think with Danny and Mark really made Pat what he is today. These guys really clicked, didn't they ??

[Aggromerchant]

@gaspo218

You know it. But the album does have a certain haunting bleakness, as well. April Wind seems played at a lonely bus stop somewhere. The quiet moment of Phase Dance is moody. And San Lorenzo is, of course, rather contemplative. Happy New Year.

[raguivilla]

yes!

[gaspo218]

Thank you for this. When you listen to this CD you can't help but feel GOOD. So much quality, these guys obviously liked playing together. They're "in the pocket" that rare feeling when it all clicks. They feel the same goosebumps that we do. I heard this for the first time on a record album thru a/d/s speakers. The incredible highs of Pat's guitar, the lows of Mark's bassline, the sharp tones of Lyle's piano and those shimmering cymbals of Danny. Wow, still.

[pretorious700]

@gaspo218 It's wonderful it's optimism. He grew quantum leaps in expression later on.

[johnwiseman17]

He did this using harmonics almost exclusively.  His technical expertise is unparalleled.

[kbeautylicious]

Pretty song.

[jimikalimba]

thank you - really nice!

[thelongshot99]

one of the best pat songs ever

[anklamer]

@thelongshot99

yes, eternal beauty

[woodycrowhead]

also if it wasnt for youtube i dont think i would ever have seen this live footage. A big thankyou to technalogical progression ;-D

[woodycrowhead]

Damn straight this is one of the most beautiful tunes to come out of the ECM label. Five star bizznizz. greetings from Manchester UK

[jimbarrow]

Wonderful. I have been following Pat Metheny since the mid 80's.

[MrGravito]

lyle in the heart of the hurricane

[ridgekarma]

Out of all of Pat's great , special music, this one is just extra special.

[Inglejuice]

still one of the best songs i've ever heard

deep, beautiful and improves with every listen even after the 200th time

perfect in every way...

[keno21176]

ah, finally. a live video of San Lorenzo. amazing! That was cool when Lyle was plucking his piano strings with a pick.

[staffdwONU2b]

keno21176... if you are thinking of the part at 1:46 where it looks like he is strumming on strings on the piano, that is actually an Autoharp setting within the top of the piano. (the strings of a piano do not run side to side as the strings he is strumming are) Anyway - this is a GREAT tune by PMG. One of my favorites - I have 50 or 60 favorites! ;-)

[kodyherring]

i know! i've been searching for a San Lorenzo video for months. And this one is amazing. The audio is pretty damn good for being so old. I can't believe how much talent there was in this group. Great song. Great musicians. Very inspirational.

[squonkdh]

Orangefunk...You my friend, are going to get a million hits here before all is said and done. This is my alltime favorite song and to have it posted live on you tube is flat out BRILLIANT. Just my opinion, but the best Metheny Group song ever...hands down..and I thank you for sharing this with us all.

Grins,

Squonk

[2shacks1house]

BRILLIANT!!

[drkam6]

This is extraordinary... A million thanks to you for posting this!! I had been looking for a video of San Lorenzo for ages... Amazing indeed!! Thank You!!!

[irishsetterarchie]

Thank you Mocha0121 for favoriting this or I probably would never have found it!!!!What a great piece of music !!!!

[1663PPP]

One of my all time favourite songs (thanks to Phil Collins!) - this line up of the band was simply awesome.

[larkydozer]

Any guesses at to what Pat says at the 20 second mark? Looks like he says "real nice".

[jibsmokestack1]

I love this song from one of my favourite albums. Outstanding!!

[classenemy]

This is one of my favourites. I have to say, I love this piece mostly because of Mays' solo. Why? I associate it with the mountains and valleys of my childhood, with the quiet and melancholy small town mornings, with beloved faces, with home.

[drjekyll66]

For me, it was his best performence !

[firstbooob]

MUSICA POR LA VIDA...

[larkydozer]

This music is the sound of love.

[vfguitar]

San Lorenzo and Phase Dance are absolutely timeless. I wish jazz music had gone further in this direction. If anyone knows other comparable songs by other artists, please send them my way.

[ssur55]

I got this album when it came out in 1978 and it sounds as fresh as ever. Lyle Mays' piano work on this song is great.

[zgress]

The rubato on the head of the tune.... wow, Pat. Badass.

[mcufre]

OMG this is incredible, my two fav pat songs live and played amazingly, do you have anymore of this????. Btw one thing i know from firsthand is that danny had to leave the PMG because his tempo wasnt up to pat´s standarts, and he wasnt happy about it seems, this is not a rumour but i know it from someone directly involved. Cheers and if you have more of this PLEASE POST!!!thanks a ton.

[butt3ugly]

@mcufre DG's tempo? Just listen and you know It had nothing to do with his playing. There was some kind of personality clash and if it were the Dan Gottleib Group it would have been Pat sent packing. But, it was adios Danny. Sadly, for all involved (especially the fans).

[HODSteve]

Good stuff, thanks for posting it!

[hbsunsun]

Thank you so much! I was looking for this video for a long time. This piece was what changed my life's direction in a very delicate and indirectly. I will download and keep this video forever. Yes, I do miss this age, but I have heard this thousands of times by now. Thanks again! He is not a dictator. You get all kinds of bad comments because they become jealous, but we must accept all sides of a coin of a person who has accomplished a great deal. Thanks so much again!

[orangefunk]

Thanks for your post! Its a pleasure to put things up when I get such responses!

[oldprogrocker]

i think playing with pat brings out the best in everyone.great song

[CARBAU57]

I still miss this line up. Thanks so much for posting this jewel.

[osensei2987]

Hey man I dig this line up too! The drummer actually got to hit some skins! I tell you ... drummers must hate Metheny nowadays! It's like Pat goes STFU and play those damn cymbals and if you hit a skin your ass is FIRED! LOL!

[CARBAU57]

I've heard somme bad comments about Pat lately. They say he's a kind of dictator. It's sad, but some genius are like this. Bethoveen was not a good person and Isaac Newton was a S.O.B.

[obhuicoksetyaetse1]

get used to dictators and SOBs if you are in the US. Freedom died nov 4, 2008. TDB also.

[stephystills]

I grew up with this sound! LOve --Love-- this-- Mays and Metheny--are unbelievably-- -- G R e A T!!! Words can't express--what this is! Thanks for the greatest video!

[Aggromerchant]

TJLethal: I don't know. But the "Quartet" did a tour of Japan in January. San Lorenzo was the traditional closing tune for years - during the 82 summer tour they rested it and closed with Bilbao (before it was released, of course). I don't know if commercial consideration motivated Pat to select Geffen tunes over ECM tunes or what. But those bookends - Phase Dance and San Lorenzo - are classics and merit a dusting off.

[TJLethal21]

Agreed.

[fess04]

great stuff.......great Eagan and great Gotlieb......thank you a thousand!!!

[larkydozer]

Gottlieb is just incredible in this. So musical.

[TJLethal21]

Do they even play this at all anymore?

[intojazznyc]

Love this sound,keep it coming brother !

saw Danny Gotlieb at Visiones in nyc a few years ago, he did an amazing job on the drums,so good that I still remember it as if it was yesterday!!

[Aggromerchant]

Thanks, orangefunk. I was fortunate to have seen many PMG shows from the old days, being from Massachusetts. Naná added vocalise that was beautifully brittle; I first saw him with PMG on a raw April night in Springfield. 1981. But then, Pat overdosed on butterscotch vocalise and the music became labored. Thanks, though, for this lovely video. Pat created moods best when he tried least.

[TJLethal21]

To me, this piece really showcases the magic what Pat & Lyle are capable of, and is also my favorite PMG song. 10 stars, but will stand for 5.

[robeaton3]

love the early stuff so much..more of these videos please!!

[hgsbnt]

thanks for posting such rarity ... I miss Pat's ECM years

[mactoja]

Eeeeeeeh... Nice to see Mark and Danny playing with the Band! Never had a chance to see them playing alive! Thanks for sharing this :-) Cool!

[fendweller]

Nice one Orangefunk. A big gap in the public video record of the band has just been filled. Fascinating and precious stuff.

[DHB1959]

Wish I'd seen this version of the band 'live'

[Jazzguitman]

Thanks for posting.Could you condense the little speech in to another short vid? Anything you have left from this session would be appreciated.This is truly rare footage.Thanks again for posting it.

Chris.

[orangefunk]

no problem...

Its literally 10 seconds or less, but I was getting close to 11 mins and thats the cut off point for youtube... I'll upload what else I have over the week

[Jazzguitman]

Cool.Thanks bro.If you see my comment on your other vid you will see why I made the request.Much appreciated.

Chris