This date is a surprisingly mellow and melodic affair, particularly when one considers the personnel (bassist
Marc Johnson, both
Bill Frisell and
Pat Metheny on guitars and drummer
Joey Baron). Much of the music is comprised of unclassifiable, folkish melodies filled with lyrical guitar solos.
Frisell is quite restrained throughout (adding a country feel to many of the songs) and
Metheny is less distinctive than usual, alternating between his electric and acoustic guitars, as well as his 42-string pikasso guitar. The quartet performs seven
Johnson originals (most memorable is "Union Pacific"), two by
Frisell and one from
Metheny. The overall results are pleasing and relaxed music that falls a little bit short of being the classic date one might expect; more fire was needed. ~ Scott Yanow