| Lo Fun Fact #1 |
| "Lolita Files" is my real name. It is not a pen name, as incredible as that may seem. There are plenty of Files family members and people who have known me for years capable of validating this. As for the "Lolita" part, my mother named me after the movie based on Nabokov's book, although she saw or read neither. For as long as she lived, she had no idea there was anything sexual or seedy about being called "Lolita". |
| Lo Fun Fact #2 |
| I love fried chicken and fabulous shoes (although obviously I can't eat fried chicken nearly as much as I'd like). If you ever want to get on my good side, send Popeye's or Church's (that's right, I said Church's) and a pair of
Christian Louboutins. |
| Lo Fun Fact #3 |
| Never show up unannounced or without a Pepsi. Better yet, how about not showing up at all? |
| Lo Fun Fact #4 |
| I hate the telephone. Don't get mad if I don't call you or take a long time to return your calls. I don't call anyone. Don't call me asking why I don't call. Just don't call, okay? (Exception: I will happily take all calls related to business or to share fun/exciting/major news. I'm just not one for jawing on the phone just to be jawing.) |
| Lo Fun Fact #5 |
| I love the internet!!! I love communicating through the internet!!! You can e-mail me and odds are I'll e-mail you right back (if I'm not in the middle of a major project). Makes up for my hangup about the phone, doesn't it? See, I'm not so bad after all!!! |
| Lo Fun Fact #6 |
| I can't stand IMing. Please don't IM me. I'm always on my laptop and connected to the internet as I work and when IM's pop into my screen out of nowhere, they break my concentration and often startle the sh*t out of me in the process. So don't do it. You will get the cold shoulder. I don't like giving people the cold shoulder, so please don't put me in that position. |
| Lo Fun Fact #7 |
I have four five six wonderful, slap-happy dogs and a cat, all of whom I love to pieces. I had a bird (a Roller pigeon that I rescued in LA on New Year's Day in 2004) named B-Bird (what? that's a good name!) who passed away in February 2009, which broke my widdle heart in half. He loved me so, as I did him. If you meet me and ask me about my dogs and cat, we'll be instant friends, and if you ask about B-Bird, I'll probably hug you (unless you smell...wash first). If you meet me and ask me why the f*ck I have four five six dogs and a cat, see the above fun fact for how I will respond. |
|
| Friday Flashback. |
| Friday, November 03, 2006 |
This is one of my all-time favorite artists. He's one of the most unique and distinctive jazz guitarists out there. His sound is amazing, and there's just something about the way he plucks a string that has moved me from the very first time I ever heard him.
He and his eponymously named band, the Pat Metheny Group...
 ...are one the greatest jazz fusion combos to emerge from the late seventies.
To give you an idea of how talented this guy is, this is one of the guitars he plays.
 Look at that thing. It's called the Pikasso I and was created exclusively for him by guitar designer Linda Manzer.
It comes as no surprise that Pat's biggest early influence was the legendary Wes Montgomery.
Pat has an incredible piano player/collaborative partner by the name of Lyle Mays...
 ...and they always complemented each other perfectly, creating beautifully arranged and orchestrated tunes that were individually and collectively magnificent. The two have a sort of call and response way about them, where they'll begin a song together, Pat will take over as lead, then fall back and let Lyle lead, then the two will merge together with the rest of the band and close with an elegant flourish.
I love this particular song. It's called "So May It Secretly Begin," and it's from their popular 1987 cd, Still Life (Talking)...
 ...the one that finally saw him and the band gain broader recognition. The song had an airiness and a lush feel that simultaneously relaxes and excites me every time I hear it. Here it is. Enjoy!!!
My favorite, favorite song by Pat is called "James," from the album Offramp (circa 1981).
 I can't embed the video for it because now that Google owns YouTube, some of the rules have changed (#@!*&%!). You can click this link, however, to go to Youtube directly to see the video. Pat is accompanied by the great Michael Brecker and they sound splendid together. That song always elates me whenever I hear it. It's the essence of happiness and the way music should make you feel.
Lastly, this is the song that took him and the group mainstream, also from the Still Life (Talking) cd. This tune was so damn popular when it first came out (in 1987), the grocery store chain Publix ("Where shopping is a pleasure") was using it for their holiday commercials (Thanksgiving and Christmas). It's called "Last Train Home" and it's classic Pat (although the song itself is now very cliched), featuring his distinctive sound and Lyle Mays' heavenly handiwork on the ivories. Happy Friday!!!
Pat Metheny Online
Lyle Mays Online
The Pat Metheny Group Online
The Pat Metheny Group on MySpace
Amazon.com: Pat Metheny Group: Still Life (Talking)
Amazon.com: Pat Metheny Group: Offramp |
posted by Lo @ 11:32 AM   |
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| 3 Comments: |
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Pat M is one of my favorites. I wrote a performance piece that was executed by the late Essex Hemphill using Last Train Home as "background." You brought back some great memories. Thanks.
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It's been a long week, so I will forego the "bigger" posts for today.
I just want to relax now and listen to some good music.
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You've got an impressive range when it comes to your interest in music and the things you can speak on. What a connoisseur!
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Name: Lolita Files
Home: Wonderland, Midwest Central, United States
About Me: I'm the author of six novels. My novella, "Three For The Road," included in the three-novella anthology, You Only Get Better, was published in March 2007.
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Pat M is one of my favorites. I wrote a performance piece that was executed by the late Essex Hemphill using Last Train Home as "background." You brought back some great memories. Thanks.