Gary Burton Quartet – Quartet LIVE (2009)
Artist : Gary Burton Quartet ft Pat Metheny, Steve Swallow & Antonio Sanchez
Album : Quartet Live!
Released Date : May 26, 2009
Label : Concord Records
I almost couldn’t believe it when I first heard about the resurrection of the legendary quartet with his new incarnation of the mid 70’s formation a couple of years ago. The news seemed too good to be true, that the phenomenal quartet, Gary Burton Quartet, formed by the maestro of vibraphone himself, Gary Burton was on the headlines again by their appearance on stages. It was a surprise for me to see the prominent guitarist, the one and only Pat Metheny reunited with the group that he was in when he was still very young, before he went dominating the jazz world on his own and made himself as an icon in this wonderful world of jazz. Metheny was still 19 years old when introduced to Gary Burton in the early 70’s. Not long after that, he joined the Gary Burton Quartet, taking the position that once was ruled by Larry Coryell in the late 60’s, featuring Steve Swallow, the electric bassist from the first formation of Gary Burton Quartet. Only the drummer position has changed, from the original member Bob Moses to Antonio Sanchez, known as the drummer of Pat Metheny group since 2002. So here it is, the current formation of Gary Burton Quartet in the millennium which has been gracing the stages again, and now they are perfectly documented in the form of live CD released on May 26, 2009: Gary Burton Quartet – Quartet Live!
Gary Burton Quartet – Quartet Live! was recorded live at Yoshi’s Jazz Club in Oakland, California. It’s surely not easy for a group to come back again, showing what they had 3 decades ago but in a fresh and relevant with the current music scene. But they really know how to do that. This is a kaleidoscopic chronicle of Gary Burton Quartet served fresh to suit today’s music. They brought their path in modern jazz history back to life gloriously. This album will be praised by the long time fans from the late 60’s and early 70’s, but at the same time will be well accepted by younger music listeners who might has never heard about them. That’s what special about this album.
Photo by Denis Alix
As how we know Gary Burton, he still remains strong. This vibraphone maestro is still playing at the top of his game. His technique on the vibraphone is really outstanding. Instead of using two mallets as how the ordinary vibraphonists used to do, he developed the new invented style by using four mallets all together; their style is later imitated by many vibraphone players over the age. This four mallets attack would sound like several vibraphonists playing together at once, while it’s actually done by Gary himself. Gary has a very long spanning career from the early 60’s until today, and has played with many other legendary musicians, including Chick Corea, his partner for almost 40 years, Carla Bley, Keith Jarrett, George Shearing, Stan Getz, Herbie Hancock, B.B. King, Roy Haynes, Gato Barbieri, Stephane Grappelli and many other big names, plus incredible musicians who has worked with his quartet, like Pat Metheny, Steve Swallow, Larry Coryell and Eberhard Weber who collaborated with the quartet on the “Passengers” album back in 1977. Bringing Pat Metheny back to his past; when he first emerged and on his way to become the jazz icon; was a big step, thinking of how busy Metheny was with his own group, Pat Metheny Group and many other works and projects. Metheny absorbed many music elements all through his career, from contemporary jazz, post bop, fusion, to rock, and fused it all into an unbelievable master class guitar playing. He’s also known for making alterations to the guitar tone palette with his six string electric guitar, twelve-string electric guitar, guitar synthesizer or the custom made 42 string Pikaso guitar. Impressive, electrifying and innovative, Metheny is undoubtedly a legend in many ways. Steve Swallow is another important key to the Quartet. Swallow is an outstanding bass guitarist as well as a composer. The tone he’s making with his electric bass is as rich as how he did it three decades ago. Besides given for Gary Burton Quartet, his composition has also been covered by many legendary jazz musicians including Jim Hall, Bill Evans, Chick Corea, Stan Getz to name a few. The newest member that came from Pat Metheny Group, Antonio Sanchez proved that he’s the right choice to take over Moses’ position. His busy and complicated boppin’ beats could clearly be noticed, but he never overdone it. He shows his ability to blend in with these three legendary players, just as a piece of puzzle fitting its place.
Bringing their own songs from past to present, this album featured 11 songs written by various great composers, including the composition written by each members. The album starts with Burton’s long time friend, Chick Corea’s mystical composition, “Sea Journey”. Catching the beauty of under the sea adventure in crystal clear minor key for more than 8 minutes, this is a strong opening. “Olhos de Gato” or in English it means “Cat’s Eyes” is the next song. This is a stunning composition written by Carla Bley capturing the mysterious stare of a cat has translated elegantly by this amazing quartet. The same respect goes to another Carla Bley’s composition included in the album, “Syndrome”. “Syndrome” starts with brighter tune but then goes frantic bop with a slight sense of swing. “Falling Grace” is Swallow’s composition that opens up with Burton’s nice solo which gives Swallow to explore his bass freely. The dreamy and glittering “Coral” originally written by Keith Jarrett is a beauty, taking the sensitive side of Burton and Metheny, the leading role of this song.
The bluesy rockin’ “Walter L” is a nice one as well. Roaring Metheny, the energetic drums and bass, balanced by Burton’s bluesy vibes. This song was written by Burton and appeared in his album “Tennessee Firebird” in 1966 and also included in the album “Gary Burton Quartet in Concert” two years later. “B and G (Midwestern Night’s Dream)” is a haunting song taken from their album “Passengers” in 1977, written by Pat Metheny himself. It’s another gentle side of the quartet. The other song written by Metheny is the fast and furious “Missouri Uncompromised”. An amazing guitar and vibes harmonizing over speeding drums beating, “Hullo, Bolinas” is another song written by Steve Swallow in a romantic swingy mood. Then we come to Duke Ellington’s smooth and beautiful ballad “Fleurette Africaine (Little African Flower)”. Just as majestic as Duke’s version, this time the song is taken to a new height with Latin touch. Drop dead gorgeous version, in my opinion. Burton’s vibes combined with Metheny’s guitar along with the steady ground base by Swallow and Sanchez’ drums make this song appears stunningly beautiful. There’s one last song with the longest duration. It’s Metheny’s “Question and Answer”. This one is perfect to close the song, because we can feel the communication and connection between the players through the instruments that seems come alive.
A crystal shining masterpiece album that defines the greatness of music is performed by all time top class musicians who really know how to cook it. It’s a tour into a seamless sonic journey. A truly showdown of techniques, complex material are executed with perfect flawless play, full enthusiasm and sincere. The chemistry between them is very deep, established on the friendship and mutual respect among these musicians for years. This is the album where the musicians and the songs they’re playing are blended as one. Some of their masterpieces from the mid 70’s appear fresh with tremendous play, with no ego attached at all. All are sweet and smoothly flowing naturally. Coming back again after more than 30 years is not an easy task, but when it’s done by extraordinary artists with the true musicianship flowing in their blood, the result is fantastic. A perfect revisited by Gary Burton Quartet with nothing is missing from the book of Burton, Swallow and Metheny. Very recommended.
Personnels:
Gary Burton (percussions, vibraphone)
Pat Metheny (guitar)
Steve Swallow (electric bass)
Antonio Sanchez (drums)
Tracklistings:
1. Sea Journey (8:59)
2. Olhos De Gato (6:36)
3. Falling Grace (7:18)
4. Coral (6:23)
5. Walter L (5:30)
6. B And G (Midwestern Night’s Dream) (6:53)
7. Missouri Uncompromised (7:33)
8. Fleurette Africaine (Little African Flower) (7:34)
9. Hullo, Bolinas (4:47)
10. Syndrome (4:42)
11. Question and Answer (13:03)
Check out Gary Burton Quartet Live Schedule:
Jun 19, 2009
Gary Burton Quartet Revisited w/ Pat Metheny
Northhampton, MA
Jun 20, 2009 @ 8:00 PM
Gary Burton Quartet Revisited w/ Pat Metheny — Berklee Performance Center
Boston, MA
Jun 21, 2009
Gary Burton Quartet Revisited w/ Pat Metheny
Red Bank, NJ
Jun 23, 2009
Gary Burton Quartet Revisited w/ Pat Metheny — Rams Head
Annapolis, MD
Jun 24, 2009
Gary Burton Quartet w/ Pat Metheny
Glenside (Keswick), PA
Jun 25, 2009
Gary Burton Quartet w/ Pat Metheny
Ridgefield, CT
Jun 26, 2009
Gary Burton Quartet Revisited w/ Pat Metheny — Montreal Jazz Festival
Montreal, QC, Canada
Jun 27, 2009
Gary Burton Quartet Revisited w/ Pat Metheny — Feihofers Jazz Festival
Saratoga, NY
Jun 28, 2009
Gary Burton Quartet Revisited w/ Pat Metheny — Ottawa Jazz Fest
Ottowa, ON, Canada
Jun 29, 2009
Gary Burton Quartet Revisited w/ Pat Metheny — Toronto Jazz Festival
Toronto, ON, Canada
Buy Gary Burton Quartet – Quartet Live at Concord Records
Buy Gary Burton Quartet – Quartet Live at Amazon.com
For more info, log on to Gary Burton’s official website
Small pictures taken from Gary Burton’s myspace and Pat Metheny’s myspace
Reviewed by: Riandy Kurniawan
Special thanks to :
- Alhenri Wijaya
Popularity: 19% [?]
Loading ...
I’ve been a fan of Gary Burton since his earliest days and managed to see him c.1969 in London with an enduring memory of his long hair and the cut fringes of his suede jacket swinging as his four mallets flew.
I also had his first recording on vinyl with the Hank Garland (?) Quartet. Hank was a guitarist, tragically incapacitated in a car crash, so it’s understandable that GB became a mentor and has a continuing affinity with Pat Metheny, whose first concert in London I went to. I also went to Metheny’s gig here in Jakarta on 22nd October 1995 – as did Riza Arshad.
For lovers of Burton and Metheny together, it’s worth checking out Gary Burton’s Reunion, with Will Lee (bass), Mitchel Forman (keyboards) and Pete Erskine (drums). This was issued in 1990 on GRP (GRD-9598).