Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays are best known for their work on the ECM label, and those familiar with that output should feel comfortable with this film soundtrack album, since it follows the same basic guidelines as the duo’s ECM writing. America (the single featuring Davie Bowie’s vocals), Chris (America without the vocals) and Dalton Lee are loosely based on assorted Latin rhythms, which are overlaid with facile melodies. In this respect, they remind of Carlos Jobim’s gentle bossa novas; the difference is that Jobim’s tunes have interesting chord changes. Other notable diversions include Metheny using a Spanish guitar and doing a John Williams Cavatina sound-alike on Level Of Deception, and, on the same track, some dissonant symphonic stabs that might appeal to lovers of the Ornette-induced hysteria which can be heard on last year’s Rejoicing LP (ECM 1271, reviewed September 1984). There is also some choral work (not performed by the group).
Metheny and Mays’ eclecticism and experience is clearly evident in live performance, and it would seem fair to expect them to produce some quite sophisticated and cunning music, but for this listener, they don’t quite cut it. Instead of subtlety, we get extremism: either extreme consonance and blandness or extreme dissonance and outrage – and not enough artful exploration of the middle ground. As a result, the music seems unsubtle, though there are brief moments on this album, like the excellent ensemble voicings at the end of Daulton Lee, which show that it can be done.
Those who are sold on the produce of the Metheny/Mays axis will want this album; those who aren’t yet fully convinced had better await further developments. In any event, The Falcon And The Snowman gives ample credence to the notion that ECM signings have great potential as film scorers.
Discography
Psalm 121/Flight Of The Falcon; Daulton Lee; Chris; “The Falcon” (18.19) – This Is Not America; Extent Of The Lie; The Level Of Deception; Capture; Epilogue (Psalm 121) (20.04)
Pat Metheny (g/g syn); Lyle Mays (p/syn); Steve Rodby (b); Paul Wertico (d/pc); Pedro Aznar, David Bowie (v); plus the National Philharmonic Orchestra and Ambrosian Choir. Recorded in London, New York and Montreux, 1984-1985.
(EMI America EJ 24 0305 1)
