PAT METHENY GROUP - First Circle (1984) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

In First Circle, the Pat Metheny Group settled into a lineup that lasted for quite a while -- with Metheny, keyboardist Lyle Mays, bassist Steve Rodby, and new drummer Paul Wertico forming the core quartet. The ever-restless Metheny also mixes up the music, not quite leaving the Brazilian glide behind but coming up with some fascinating permutations always affixed with his personal stamp. "Forward March," the album opener, is a bizarre parody full of detuned instruments and half-cocked trumpet from Mays; one wonders if this was directed at a few silly skirmishes of the day (Grenada? the Falklands?). "The First Circle" has Brazilian elements, but now in the service of a grander architectural context, while nothing could be simpler and yet more sophisticated than the delicate ballad "If I Could." "End of the Game" might be the best track on the record, equipped with a beautiful pop-flavored set of tunes and harmonies, with a rock beat fused to the floating ambience of South America as personified by the new Argentine percussionist/vocalist Pedro Aznar. "Praise," the closer, is an out-and-out rock tune, an affirmative flip side of "Forward March" and the last of a series of delightful surprises. by Richard S. Ginell  
Tracklist :
1    Forward March 2:49
Bass Drum – Steve
Glockenspiel – Pedro
Snare [Field Drum], Cymbal – Paul
Synthesizer [Synclavier Guitar], Composed By – Pat
Trumpet – Lyle
2    Yolanda, You Learn 4:46
Bass Guitar – Steve
Drums – Paul
Piano, Synthesizer, Composed By – Lyle
Sitar, Slide Guitar, Synthesizer [Synclavier Guitar], Composed By – Pat
Voice, Bells – Pedro
3    The First Circle 9:11
Acoustic Bass – Steve
Acoustic Guitar [Nylon], Voice, Bells, Percussion – Pedro
Acoustic Guitar [Steel-string], Composed By – Pat
Drums – Paul
Piano, Synthesizer, Composed By – Lyle
4    If I Could 6:55
Acoustic Bass – Steve
Acoustic Guitar, Composed By – Pat
Drums – Paul
Synthesizer [Oberheim] – Lyle
5    Tell It All 7:57
Acoustic Bass – Steve
Drums – Paul
Guitar, Composed By – Pat
Piano, Agogô, Composed By – Lyle
Voice, Percussion – Pedro
6    End Of The Game 7:58
Acoustic Bass, Bass Guitar – Steve
Bells, Whistle, Percussion, Voice – Pedro
Drums – Paul
Piano, Synthesizer, Composed By – Lyle
Synthesizer [Guitar], Composed By – Pat
7    Más Allá (Beyond) 5:19
Acoustic Bass – Steve
Drums – Paul
Guitar, Composed By – Pat
Piano, Synthesizer – Lyle
Voice, Percussion, Lyrics By, Guitar – Pedro
8    Praise 4:18
Bass Guitar – Steve
Drums – Paul
Piano, Organ, Synthesizer, Composed By – Lyle
Twelve-String Guitar [Acoustic], Synthesizer [Synclavier Guitar], Composed By – Pat
Twelve-String Guitar [Acoustic], Voice – Pedro