Pat Metheny Group - Imaginary Day

Starring:Pat Metheny Group
Studio: Geneon [Pioneer]
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Description
Evocative and musically mercurial, Pat Metheny is one of they most notable Jazz guitarists on the scene today. Filmed and recorded live at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga, California in 1998, this extraordinary performance is undeniable proof that Metheny keeps a close and watchful eye on the past, present, and imminent futurity of Jazz. This quintessential concert also features Lyle Mays (acoustic piano, keyboards, guitar), and Jeff Haynes (percussion).

Description

Evocative and musically mercurial, Pat Metheny is one of they most notable Jazz guitarists on the scene today. Filmed and recorded live at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga, California in 1998, this extraordinary performance is undeniable proof that Metheny keeps a close and watchful eye on the past, present, and imminent futurity of Jazz. This quintessential concert also features Lyle Mays (acoustic piano, keyboards, guitar), and Jeff Haynes (percussion).

Customer Reviews:

Great Music but...............2006-12-12

I am sorry but I really really admire the PM Group and have done for more than 20 years. I have had this DVD in my box for a while and then I had a chance to view it....
To be fair I am a film-maker my self and realise how difficult it can be shooting live concerts but really it's as if the director got his mates to shoot the stuff ... there is little intent and often just bad framing, it looks to me that there is just one professional camera person among the batch (being used quite a bit too )... couldn't we have had a low angle looking up at Pat from the front for instance.... he tends to look down a far bit.... also something a little tighter than a mid shot of him would have been great .... the music is excellent as is the recording and the pictures look good even though it looks like it was shot on something like a DSR250 DVCAM which would explain the limitation of shot size and the shocking break up on wide shots ...... anyway enough bitching just listen and occasionally watch and you will enjoy it. I guess the budget must have been pretty low. love your work Pat!

A Pat Metheny Must-Have.......2004-12-06

I had never viewed a live performance recorded on to DVD before and when I ordered this DVD I had no idea how fantastic it would actually be. I was looking forward to being able to see the performers since that always makes a huge difference in the depth of the music, but hearing it in 5.1 surround was incredible! I was so surprised at the difference it makes. It really lets you enjoy the music on a new level. If you're a fan of the album this is definitely a must-have item.

Not so bad..........2004-11-12

I really wish I had bought this earlier. I was put off by the bad reviews of the visuals, and as a pro cameraman, that was enough to dissuade me ...but I had to see it for myself, as Imaginary Day is one of my 2 fave PMG albums. I'm sure Steve Rodby learned a lot from this. Now, the camerawork is perfectly adequate- despite being fairly unprofessional. There are many late adjustments, obvious zooms, and some soft shots... as though two guys were running around trying to keep ten cameras following the action. The editing- mostly the transitional effects- are also quite indulgent & amateurish... but I felt that even if this DVD offered a less polished view of the PMG, It makes up for it with the feeling that this was the band's own home movie of a day or so at work, with all the immediacy that that implies, and also gives rackspotters a bigger eyeful than usual. Interestingly, they hired Tak Watanabe to direct their next DVD (Speaking of Now), a man I got to work with in 1988...In contrast to Imaginary Day, the Speaking of Now DVD is almost flawless...That said, I'm glad they let Steve Rodby man the controls. I think this is a more intimate viewing experience, despite the flaws, and I feel we all got an interesting and different look at the band for it- after all, the director is a member of the band.... I also thought the sound, esp. the DTS surround, was fabulous. Recommended.

Great Music - Awful Video.......2004-09-19

Too bad the the images, film direction and photography were not on par with the music. The sound quality is outstanding, but the video is downright BAD! Many scenes were shot looking at the backs of the subject being shot. Other times I thought my TV was broke when there were many seconds of total black and no image. Worst of all was the amaturish usage of every concievable video gimmack in the book. It was hard to look at this music video for more than 15 minutes as the shots bounced around so often and never gave me a chance to settle in and enjoy the concert. Did I mention that the composition and camera angles were not well thought out either. If you are looking for a really good DVD get the WE LIVE HERE, LIVE IN JAPAN. I wish I could get my money back for this non professional attempt to record a concert.

I won't buy it!.......2004-03-21

Reading along other reviews i decided not to buy this DVD. Afterall, this is why review ratings were invented...

I love PM, i am a jazz guitarist myself, but today i can't be satisfied with a production that has "only" good music and not high audio-video quality as well. For that i don't need a DVD, i can buy a CD and turn back i the 80s. It is soooo frustrating to have a +20000$ AV gear, to spend some 1000 bucks for a bunch of cables, and then have nothing to listen/look too because MOST of the recordings are worst than the regular tv broadcasts.

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