Friends, it’s early and I’m looking ahead at what’s coming down the pike. The great Charles McPherson is coming to the studio in a couple of hours to lay down some insanity. Until then I’ll update you on some of the gigs that are shaping up.

Next week we’re getting into the “Metheny Religion” of perfect composition mixed with reverb. I love Pat’s music and he’s been one of my main icons in guitar playing, composition and wild long haired delivery. On Saturday October 17 we’ll gather our troupes and celebrate his brilliance with a night of Metheny music done in our own way. There are so many gems to chose from that it is actually hard and almost painful to widdle down the set list to fit into a two set concert. Our song list will include high energy classics; Minuano, Bright Size Life, Have You Heard, Song For Bilbao, Lone Jack and The Fields the Sky to Midwestern inspired ballads; Letter From Home, Travels, In Her Family and Change Of Heart to new millennium anthems; Are You Going With Me and Question and Answer. Half of the 14 pieces that we’ll perform feature lyrics to Pat’s music written by San Diego singer-songwriter Randy Phillips. This is a slightly different approach to Metheny’s music and I call it the “Lyricized Metheny.” Pat usually has a vocalist in his group singing like a horn player without words but for our group vocalist Kevyn Lettau will be the storyteller sharing the wisdom. The concert will be at the Canyon Crest Academy in Carmel Valley. The performance space there is fantastic and has great sound too. Look below for more details and I hope you can make it.