RobiNZ Personal Blog

'As Falls Wichita, So Falls Wichita Falls' Fortieth Anniversary

Forty years ago, an iconic album was released. It was a couple of years later that I first heard it, courtesy of fellow design student Jeff Fisher at Unitec, and became a fan of Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays. The Arts Fuse have a lovely tribute to this album which, even after decades of listening, is still a musical adventure. One day it will be part of my US road trip playlist. Arts Remembrance: At 40, Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays’s "As Falls Wichita, So Falls Wichita Falls" Still Enthralls - The Arts Fuse "Released on April 27, 1981, As... Read more →

An evening with Pat Metheny | Auckland March 2020

I didn't know it at the time, but this could the last live event I see in 2020. It was early in the Auckland Arts Festival, itself was closed mid-way due to COVID-19 restrictions. It's the second time I have seen Pat Metheny, his second visit to New Zealand. The first meant a trip to Wellington, this time just to Auckland's Town Hall. They specifically announced "The artists request no photos or recording during the performance" so here's my only one from before. It was annoying to see a few people still trying, seemingly oblivious to the phone screen-glow which... Read more →

Antarctic sounds and not sleeping on ice | Antarctic Mission Log 06

Sometimes procrastination is beneficial. Had I written this post closer to the time, November 2019, it would have been very different. As I wrote the initial draft, several months later, some sad news further increased the significance of this remarkable experience. It changed what I had to write, adding another storyline which strangely paralleled aspects of the first. I have abandoned and revisited this several times since then. Not the usual writers block of what to say, more not knowing how to express an experience which was the culmination of a near four-decade journey. That is why (although backdated to... Read more →

Amazon’s ‘Recommended For You’… Got me!

I was watching a documentary about Facebook which, in part, mentioned how their adverts are targeted: “Going by the ads I see Facebook thinks I want an AMEX card, a new kitchen, a cinema ticket, a Honda and a holiday in Rotorua. That's zero correct.” Then a bit later: “The ads now think I still want a Honda, tickets to cricket, AMEX Platinum and affordable wall art. Oh, and Facebook marketing. No, no, no, no and no!” On the other hand, Amazon’s ‘Recommended For You’ is absolutely spot on. I had actually banned myself from purchasing any new media until... Read more →

Pat Metheny’s ultimate one man band — Orchestrion

Pat Metheny makes the ultimate one man band — Orchestrion. I own the CD but hadn’t seen this before, how amazing technology and talent makes amazing music. Read more →

First Circle, my second Metheny masterpiece

I mustn't have told Amazon I own this as today it was first on the “recommendations for you”. Its not the first Pat Metheny Group recording I heard, As Falls Wichita... has that honour, but is the first I owned. A CD when they were still new and represented a hefty chunk of my weekly, first job, income. Some old albums don’t stand up when revisited but First Circle isn’t one. From Forward March — a favourite with dissonant, out-of-tune chords and notes to confound those who don’t know Metheny — to “Praise” it still shines and I listen to... Read more →

Pat Metheny on Tour with the Bose L1 System

Pat seems thrilled with his Bose L1 speakers, just need him to bring this tour to New Zealand so I can hear it! Via http://twitter.com/PatMethenyNews Read more →

Pat Metheny creates a “live” solo “group” - ORCHESTRION

Ever thought a Solo performer, with a bit of automaton help, could sound this great? Pat Metheny’s latest project merges his performance with automated instruments to create a live solo live jazz group. Can’t wait to hear the CD, wish the concert was coming a bit closer. Pat is touring ORCHESTRION through Europe in Feb/March, US/Canada starting in April but the closest he’ll get to NZ (so far) is L.A. or San Francisco. What about a Aussie/New Zealand leg Pat!? Pat Metheny - ORCHESTRION This project represents a conceptual direction that merges an idea from the late 19th and early... Read more →

Pat Metheny Group – Forward March Live

This, the first track from First Circle, is one of my Favourite Pat Metheny Group tracks. It’s also a brilliant way to disrupt the demo of any new AV technology. I haven’t seen it performed live, even though I own every Pat Metheny Group DVD but think it’s a brilliant entrance. When I saw Pat perform in Wellington he mentioned possibly returning to New Zealand with the group. I hope one day they Forward March here. Read more →

Upojenie: Pat Metheny & Anna Maria Jopek - in the USA

Pat Metheny Group have an updated website and it's come with a bonus for US readers. The wonderful Upojenie which combines Polish singer Anna Maria Jopek's vocals with Pat Metheny Group tunes is now a... Read more →