Pat Metheny Group First Circle Reaction 

If this is your first exposure to the PMG, you have a wonderful journey awaiting you! From ‘78-‘05, this was a truly awesome band. Pat on guitar and Lyle Mays on keyboards were the constants. The “string” section of the song, after Lyle’s piano solo, was Lyle shifting to synthesizers. This is one of the few PMG pieces that doesn’t feature a guitar solo from Pat, but he is one of the most respected jazz guitarists, and composers, of his time. Most guitarists would give an eye to have an instantly recognizable sound: Pat has two! His reverb drenched, slightly modulating clean jazz tone, and his guitar-synth tone, which often resembles a trumpet. There is so much music to enjoy within the PMG…23 Grammys along the way…but Pat’s also had an entire career’s worth of recordings as a mainstream jazz guitarist!

The Pat Metheny Group is in a league of its own! 200 years from now people will performing and listening to PMG music just like people listen to Mozart today! Glad you got a chance to hear/review “The First Circle”. To me, one of the greatest musical compositions of all-time! 👏🏻

You can barely tell the difference between the studio version and the live version. That's how good they are.

This song is a spiritual experience. I never get sick of it.

Wtf!!! You’re going into Metheny???!??? Wwwwooooaaaahhhh!!!!Respect!!!! You’ve just graduated to the next level.

"Flute" is Lyle Mays' signature ocarina-like sound.

A new generation discovers the joy of pat at his finest........you need to be prepared for the finest journey you will ever experience

I've been a Metheny fan since about 1981. "As Wichita Falls..." was my first exposure. Then cam Offramp and I saw that tour and I was a devotee ever since! His music is truly the "soundtrack of my life"-level music!

The tune has a 22/8 time signature.

Welcome to Metheny/Mays world we trust that you will enjoy your stay. 🙏🏽✌🏽🌎♥️

Old Metheny fan here.. Glad someone could discover this genius .Enjoy

The eighth wonder of the world is represented by the musical magic and creativity of Maestro Pat Metheny.

I discovered pat metheny in England about 36 years ago on a very famous music show called "the old grey whistle test" he was doing the soundtrack for "the falcon and the snowman" with lyle,this was without doubt the best day of my life and even now in 2023 having seen him live in London last year i must be one of his biggest fans ive seen him live 9 times and to be honest only listen to him and not a lot else i am simply in love with his music and everything he has done strangely enough even now i could count on one hand how many people who over the years have actually heard of him never mind listen to his music thats fine by me god looked down on me that day im the lucky one i love you pat 💙

The studio version of this song was recorded in 1984, with five musicians. Since the late eighties PMG has been a sextet, like on this live recording, comprised of.. Pat Metheny - Guitars Lyle Mays - Piano, Synthesizers Steve Rodby - Acoustic bass, electric bass (occasionally) Paul Wertico - Drums Armando Marcal - Percussion Pedro Aznar - Vocals, Guitar, Steel Drums, Percussion, Marimba...and everything else. He's had lineups with an additional multi-instrumentalist/vocals. You need to check out MINUANO 6/8 from the Still Life Talking album, in fact, you should listen to the entire album.

PMG has a huge catalog of beautiful and adventurous music. Happy exploring!

John as a youngish dude you would do yourself a favour and research the history of this ensemble- Rick Beato does some great analysis of Metheny and Mays - it is absolutely top notch. I saw them performing this piece at the Sydney Opera House many years ago - not much more to say - but as Pat Metheny once said” compared to Bach, we all suck”

You really couldn't have picked a better tune as your introduction to PMG. Delve into the rest of their stuff when you get the chance -- you're really in for a treat.

Voz: Pedro Aznar. Gran músico argentino

wait till you get to the Antonio Sanchez era with Pat… The Way Up live dvd… amazing drumming!! stellar musicians all way around!!

I've listened to this song a million times. As well as the rest of their discography (which is huge). Gets to me every time. Most songs from PMG, co-written by Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays. BTW, my favorite band and my two favorite artists. RIP Lyle. There are so many great piano/keyboard players, but few have the phrasing Lyle had. Pat another genius. They have been called the Lennon and McCartney of modern jazz. If you dug this, prepare yourself for an amazing ride. Thank you so much! Also, I can tell that you are a musician because you were getting the language going on! So,yeah, the strings was Lyle on synth. That incredible voice was, multi-instrumentalist Pedro Aznar from Argentina!

I like your view that this transcends cultures. Metheny's music is its own thing and there are literally 500 tunes out there to explore. Check out Rick Beato's interview with the maestro. Apparently, Pat will practise by taking a tune and playing it in all 12 keys just to see what he can discover. Also, check out Joni Mitchell Shadows and Light where Pat and Lyle are part of the greatest backing band ever assembled.

Pedro Aznar’s vocals really add another dimension to this track. His voice is an incredible instrument. It’s no wonder PM asked him back to record Letter From Home

Can't go without giving a shout out to Lyle Mays, one of THE GREATEST to ever touch the keys. No violins or cello's, just Lyle doing his magic on the Synths...!!! RIP.

I have become fixated on watching people's reactions to listening to PMG for the first time. Having been a PMG fan from the UK and found their music way back in the late 70's early 80's and having seen them 3 times in London during the 80's 90's, I think once you have found their music it is almost impossible to let it go. Lyle Mays is, in my opinion the best contemporary jazz piano and keyboard player ever and also an accomplished composer. Lyle died in Feb 20 but had not worked with PMG for several years due to bad health that stopped him touring. Check out Lyle Mays first solo album simply called Lyle Mays it's awesome. Lyle assisted Pat on some of their compositions but Pat was the main contributor and as you witnessed in First Circle that their collaboration aided by 4 other excellent musicians made PMG a unique sound that, to me, was unequalled. Glad you enjoyed the experience.

This is great to see - PMG is legendary... and as your first PMG tune, this is perfect. Imagine pulling off that performance live! So many places to go with PMG. It's rare to have a tune without a guitar solo (Pat's instrument) - but go back and listen to that again and you'll hear amazing guitar playing. And the piano sol is simply one of the best live piano solos of all time. Another good tune would be The End of The World. And if you reaaly want to go over the edge - PMG did a an album called "The Way Up" - it's one 69 minute long piece of music. Total masterwork.

I bought the album 39 years ago. Played it just about every week for two years. Also listen to Tell It All from The First Circle. Amazing tune with a fantastic guitar and piano solo. It also has the wordless vocals.

You are so Nice to follow! Big hug from Gothenburg Sweden. 🙏

Great selection! Have been a Metheny fan since the late 70s. I'd highly recommend something from his first one, "Bright Size Life" (try the title track) with the great Jaco Pastorius. Its an early 3-man PMG incarnation with the legendary Bob Moses on drums as well. Metheny has an incredible discography and is endlessly curious. I love Offramp and the all acoustic New Chautauqua. SO much to dig into. Thanks again John!

It's one of dozens of masterpeices from The Group. Greatest live ensemble of the recorded Era.

From the composition itself, to the incredible playing, to Pedro Aznar beautiful voice ... First Circle is an extraordinary piece of music! A masterpiece! Indeed. Pat has said that with voices, but no text, that music does transcend language and cultural differences.

"Strings" are also Lyle Mays on keyboard synths.

Unfortunately, Lyle passed away a few years ago. It's such a tragedy for music and everyone who loves it. He cannot be replaced.But we can appreciate what he did while he was with us. RIP

For a start to getting into PMG I’d recommend “Roots of Coincidence”. I’d love to see you react to it!

This was the last Metheny album on ECM Records and they've been weird with copyright on the studio recordings but the live show may just be under the radar. You've got to do more of them, you won't e disappointed.

First Circle tour was my first time seeing and truly discovering pat/PMG.. As a hardcore rocker, my appreciation for music was forever changed that night.. a spiritual, emotional, once in a lifetime experience. Fast-forward 40 yrs, 30+ times seeing PMG/Pat (true, I lost count) and his amazing contributions since.. First Circle is still the one that moves me the most. It's an epic ride. TLDR; I had stumbled across a cover of it and it was like hearing it again for the first time. Inspired to find more, it became clear that this is likely pat's most covered song as I was adding found covers to a Playlist.. Last added, the count was just over 60. The Playlist is on my profile.. but then searching First Circle covers is a fantastic rabbit hole to go down too! Great reaction, John. Welcome to Pat Metheny!

One of my all time favorites. Absolute genius! The time signature is insane and beautifully blended.

Keep going! Pat Metheny is amazing!

Any, and EVERYTHING Pat writes, plays, composes is marvelous times(x) Pi. !!!!! 😘 Enjoy the ride !!!!

Amazing amazing! This is when I first heard Pat Matheny I was putting down a floor for a friend listening to the radio in NYC when we had a smooth jazz station cd101.9 and I had to stop what I was doing because I knew I was hearing something special. Great artist and bands! Rip In Peace Lyle Mays the piano player!💜

Pat Metheny…so clean in every way shape and form…forever a fan…never commercial…research him and check out how many Grammy’s he’s won…

Pat Metheny Group with Lyle Mays (RIP) Ain’t nothing like it. I grew up with his since 1978. The best of the best.

You have reacted to some great music before, i.e. ELP, and are now really reaching another heighth with this performance by The Pat Metheny Group!! I was fortunate to see them live four times. Three times at the Bass Concert Hall at the University of Texas, and once at the Austin Music Hall. Truly miss Lyle Mays. All the symphonic sounds you hear are also by Lyle on keys and synths. 🙏

A beautiful piece of work. Metheny and May collaborations is wonderful. Their musical partnership has no bounderies.

Introduced to Metheny with the Travels cd on a beautiful spring day, wafting out of the windows of a Fort Gordon , GA barracks. Immediately, I was hooked and have never looked back. His entire ouerve is just sublime. This is my favorite of his, along with “So It May Secretly Begin” and “The Gathering Sky”. So intricate, it’s like an onion. I’ve heard it a million times and I still find new things in it.

Outstanding John . More , please . Matheny's "Brightsize Life" with Richard Bona (Bass) & Antonio Sanchez (drums) is definitive virtuosity meets gorgeous .

So cool...you really react to all the best moments in the tune...even in the piano solo :) Keep it up!

It's so exciting to be able to witness someone's first experience with Pat Metheny / Pat Metheny Group!

So cool to see you younger people discovering this great music. I had the honor of meeting Pat twice in the late 70's and he is one of the nicest people you'll ever meet! You are not getting the full picture of his guitar playing on this song. So please give this a listen to the end. He's playing a synth guitar and it will blow your mind! What a band. Metheny is it! Enjoy ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-o3YhDy3q3GQ.html

Their is a First Circle version on RU-vid with Pat Metheny and the Metropole Orchestra from 2003 you should listen too that one amazing !

Thanks for reacting to this song. The reason you couldn't find the studio version is because this album and earlier PMG albums were with EMI record label who has blocked all of the studio versions from RU-vid, but the live versions of songs sound great as well. The subsequent albums were from different labels and I think you can find studio versions of most, if not all, of these.

Wonderful respect you gave to this song. I could tell how much you were truly listening - (rare these days ) It is wonderful to see young folks appreciate masterful work. It says a lot about you. Bravo. And, thank you for loving this iconic piece of music - some have said perhaps the greatest composition of the century.

Lyle was a master of textured chords

You could continue with Third Wind...

So much fun to watch people discover that which some of us have known for decades. Better late than never.

The song is in 22/8 time signature, no strings or horns

I have enough music CDs, vinyl records, tapes of all types of music, and I will say that Pat' is my favorite musician ever.to me its not just the way he plays the guitar (I'm a drummer),it's the music he composes to play along with.

PMG is I think my favorite band all time. Insane songs and Melodic concepts.

I recommend Pat Metheny full Álbum, the road to you !!! The first time wen I was 16 years old I heard the song “have you heard “ now I’m 62 , I’m still listening, Pedro Aznar voice it’s like Angelical!!!

I envy you so much for listening to this for the first time 😊. Years later and this piece still gives me chills when I hear it!

Lyle Mays played all keyboards including melotron,synthesizers ,piano..anything with keys! RIP Lyle we miss you every day .Pat is a jazz guitarist extrodinaire

" feeling good" should be the goal of Music...😉✌🏻

John this is my favorite reaction video to this great song . 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 I had to watch it twice

They have so much good stuff you have to go back and listen to it.

A combination of magic and perfectionism

PAT METHENY number 1 jazz contemporary

Pat Metheny and anyone who has the privilege to play with him are ALL WORLD CLASS Musicians playing WORLD CLASS Music...!! Without a doubt my all time favorite group. Peace from the SF Bay Area Cali.

RU-vid versions you will see Lyle played most of the string, synth and atmospheric stuff at the same time as piano!

Pat guitar sounds great all ways and Lyle wow!! They are genius!!!

one of the best orchastrated song ever

Great reaction. just a beautiful song.

Wish these guys were still going. Miss you Lyle!

Welcome to the fold. Try the Pat Metheny album Letter From Home, or We live Here. Both albums will not disappoint.

As a long time Pat fan I highly recommend that everyone check out Pat's The Orchestrion project . This is a Masterpiece!

Just do a search for how many Grammy awards Pat has won with his various groups of musicians and you will indeed go down a deep and worthwhile rabbit hole. This, btw, was the best place to start, the first of many in the circle of PM music.

PM will take you on a wonderful journey down a musical rabbit hole. Jump in.

Dig into some of Lyle's solo stuff. "Mirror of the Heart" is a good place to start.

Sprinting through an open field indeed..,. Or riding on a bike with the wind in your back.

So much to appreciate ... Love watching your fresh amazement . Chick Corea & Herbie Hancock (pianists) just may speak to your ears ...

I teach the opening clapping pattern to my middle school students....

What's the first reaction to the time signatures - try to figure them out and count them or just ride and enjoy it?

Lyle Mays on keyboard and synthesizer

This isnt music ... its nectar from the Gods

That’s Lyle on 2 synth’s

Try to find the studio version. You won't regret it. (There's so much Lyle for you to enjoy. I envy you with it all in front of you).

Overall, a terrific piece for the listener new to PMG. Lyle Mays touch on the piano is absolutely perfect. Unfortunately, Lyle's loss will be near impossible to replace.

Dude you are screwed when the music stops while running thru an open field. 😂😂😂. I get what you mean by transporting to somewhere when enveloped into PMG Music.

No horns or strings on this, just synth pads, very well crafted synth pads. I can't believe you couldn't find the studio cut, but this is just as good. The piano solo was better on the studio cut, but this was outstanding as well.

Couldn’t find the studio version?

Lyle Mays (RIP)

Starts at 2:45.

Check out David Becker Tribune - Batavia

Not a flute…it’s his guitar…

Immer wieder gut. Wie wäre es mit Jon Lord, Sarabande : Pavane?

Studio version still the best of Lyle’s solos, but all of them great anyway. Transition out of piano solo is breathtaking.

I highly recommend The Way Up and Speaking of Now. Seen them live 5 times. Unfortunately never again with Lyle.

Watch the video of this exact recording....the best

DUDE! DUDE! DUDE! 1985 : Grammy Award for Best Fusion Performance! Unusual beat...complicated. Check out Dr. Dr. Guy Shkolnik Composer for musical explanations. Not flute...early synthesizer! Please do your homework, first! Pat Metheny has been around for 50+ years. Prodigy! 22 Grammy Awards! Pat & Lyle Mays collaborated for many years. Dude, take it from a 68 year old PMG fan! Listen to his discography! Pat, Lyle, Steve, Paul, Pedro, and on & on...ONLY TOP MUSICIANS!!! EVERY ALBUM!!! You can spend many, even endless hours listening to their music and learn something each time you hear any song of PMG. Vocalizations, not lyrics! He's been world famous for over 50 years. EARLY SYNTH...BEFORE YOU WERE BORN! See PMG live, if you can. He spends 2 hours just warming up on his guitars and the shows are 2-4 hours! So many live videos here plus uploads from albums. Glad that you are expanding your musical horizons! Music isn't confined to one generation or one culture, let alone genre! A very wide musical world awaits...happy travels! (Just appeared in my feed, 1 year later.) P.S. Check out 1993 Official Video with the parrots.

Yes we have a really big show tonight or really big show tonight tonight will be introducing band that is a little bit of a different sounding band an improvement musician name of Pat Metheny and his group of fabulous musicians so give them a hand and welcome them to our show tonight and we like I said have a really big show tonight

As great as this is, the studio version is far superior.

Lyle Mays