As displayed on the cover of this album, the draconian COVID lockdown has had effects on all of us. Famed guitarist and singer John Pizzarelli is now donning the de-riguer face mask-how can you silence this guy? Also, instead of a working band, he’s doing solo work on a nylon stringed guitar, delving into the rich Pat Metheny songbook. My only complaint here is that Pizzarelli didn’t add any lyrics to some of the songs, something that would have possibly brought greater depth to each piece.
Still, you can’t complain of The Pizza Man’s delivery her. He is personal and intimate throughout, giving plaintive reads of “From This Place” and “Last Train Home” with some spacious blue hues on “September Fifteenth”. There’s some classical tones to the medley of “ April Wind/Phase Dance” and rich quietude on “Antonia” and the delicate “James”. The fireplace atmosphere works well here, and the Metheny songbook is well interpreted, especially in light of the composer’s own latest album of having other guitarists take on his material. Will Metheny’s pen be remembered better than his sword 100 years from now? Marvelous Metheny musings.