Offramp

Amazon.com

This 1982 recording by the Pat Metheny Group represented a crossroads for the guitarist, a creative expansion from his original concept in terms of acoustic and electric instrumentation, folksy roots material and modern jazz influences, American and third world sources. Having thus marked out the territory for a decade's worth of experimentation and growth, the Metheny Group cemented its standing on the cutting edge of contemporary jazz with Offramp. Lyle Mays' harmonica-like synth theme, Metheny's soaring, vocalized synth-guitar lead, some rich orchestral touches, and an easygoing blend of backbeat and chord changes made "Are You Going with Me?" one of Metheny's most enduring arrangements. Still, for every gentle, alluring set piece, such as the tangolike "Au Lait" or the rural vistas of "James," there was a visceral, emotive free-for-all like the title track, where Metheny unleashed wild, wailing synth guitar elisions over a loose, abstract pulse--anticipating the energy of the guitarist's collaboration with free jazz guru Ornette Coleman some four years hence on Song X. --Chip Stern

Offramp,Pat Metheny Group,Ecm Records,Contemporary Jazz,Crossover Jazz,Jazz,Jazz Music,Pop

Average customer rating: Perfect Turn Will the guitarist please stand up??? Proof that the music can transport you. mind-blowing music Pat Metheny's "Dark Side of the Moon"

Offramp Pat Metheny Group Manufacturer: Ecm Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music ECM Classical | ECM Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music ECM Jazz & World | ECM Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: As Falls Wichita, So Falls Wichita Falls Pat Metheny Group First Circle Watercolors American Garage ASIN: B0000262LA Release Date: 1999-11-16

Tracks:

1. Barcarole
2. Are You Going With Me?
3. Au Lait
4. Eighteen
5. Offramp
6. James
7. The Bat Part II

Amazon.com

This 1982 recording by the Pat Metheny Group represented a crossroads for the guitarist, a creative expansion from his original concept in terms of acoustic and electric instrumentation, folksy roots material and modern jazz influences, American and third world sources. Having thus marked out the territory for a decade's worth of experimentation and growth, the Metheny Group cemented its standing on the cutting edge of contemporary jazz with Offramp. Lyle Mays' harmonica-like synth theme, Metheny's soaring, vocalized synth-guitar lead, some rich orchestral touches, and an easygoing blend of backbeat and chord changes made "Are You Going with Me?" one of Metheny's most enduring arrangements. Still, for every gentle, alluring set piece, such as the tangolike "Au Lait" or the rural vistas of "James," there was a visceral, emotive free-for-all like the title track, where Metheny unleashed wild, wailing synth guitar elisions over a loose, abstract pulse--anticipating the energy of the guitarist's collaboration with free jazz guru Ornette Coleman some four years hence on Song X. --Chip Stern

Customer Reviews:

Perfect Turn.......2007-01-13

Thanks to their peerless creativity and dedication to performance, the Pat Metheny Group never ceases to carve out a new, exciting, and captivating angle to their music. Most of the time, it's like witnessing Michelangelo carving out a new angle in the creation of the Statue of David. The most essential angle was carved in New York City in 1981.

When I first listened to "Offramp", I enjoyed it, but I didn't find it groundbreaking. Granted, the only records I had heard previous to it was "The Road To You", a fantastic live album by the Group and one of my favorites of theirs to this day, and "Imaginary Day", a broad and bold escape to another world. But I was still young and unaware, a 12-year-old kid who was looking for something along the lines of "The Roots of Coincidence" from "Day" or "Third Wind" on "The Road". Now, seven years later, I have heard almost every Group album and am determined to get my voice out on this fantastic band. Well, after "American Garage", I popped this in with the volume turned way up. Almost immediately, I forgot about any doubts regarding my opinion of this recording seven years ago. Ladies and gentleman, you are looking at the album cover of one of the greatest albums of one of the greatest bands in modern jazz history, and that's saying something. While the Group has never released a bad recording, at least not to this listener's ear, there are precious few albums that can be considered cornerstones, turning points, REVOLUTIONS in both the band's history and music history. "Offramp" is one of them.

After a three-year stint with Mark Egan on bass, Pat Metheny the bandleader decided that it was time for a change in direction, and, if you'll forgive me for being cornball, an offramp to go down that lead to a long and winding road of unlimited possibility. Mark Egan was replaced with the Joliet bass prodigy Steve Rodby, and the Brazilian percussionist extraordinaire Nana Vasconcelos was brought in as a "special guest". C'mon, let's be honest here: he should practically be a band member right from the get-go, as evidenced by the masterful percussion work and atmospheric wordless vocals on the haunting yet rousing opener "Barcarole".

I think the duet (it's really a trio) recording "As Falls Wichita" really helped Metheny and keyboardist and co-composer Lyle Mays focus and hone their musical maturity. Many of the orchestrations and textures from "Wichita" influenced the sounds on "Offramp", but the two are very different in their execution. For instance, it features the instrument that Metheny continues to use to this very day: the Synclavier guitar, a bold new innovation back in the day, and still quite effective today.

On the opening "Barcarole", we get Metheny's take on the Synclavier in action, backed by lush orchestrations, amazing percussion as said earlier, and a killer bass line, although very subtle (subtlety is an innate quality of Steve Rodby that makes him an indispensable bassist). Metheny programs it to sound like a trumpet, which might seem off-putting to some people, but to me, it makes the guitar sing like a power-house soul singer who reads Joseph Conrad. The exotic influences heat this album up, especially on the masterpiece...wait for it..."Are You Going With Me?". There is no denying the popularity behind this tune, and it is unquestionably justified. It starts slow, and builds and builds and builds with a harmonica synth solo from Mays and a sublime solo from Metheny, still considered to be one of, if not, his best, particularly to rock fans, I imagine. It has that staying power, conveying a beautiful love affair where the passion ensnares you into going places far beyond your wildest dreams. Believe the hype: it's a hallmark. Sadly, the follow-up "Au Lait" has long been overlooked by the Group and the fans. Don't dismiss for easy-listening at all, because "Au Lait"'s beauty isn't atmospheric for the sake of being atmospheric: It encourages you, the listener, to create your own experience. Let your mind wander when listening to that one, and don't be afraid to go where it takes you.

The next few tracks appear to be more conventional, but they too are grounded in deeply layered production, almost like a good New Wave record, which is evidenced on "Eighteen". I didn't care too much for this one at first, but it grew on me, much like "Airstream" on "American Garage". There are simply too many things going on to dismiss it as filler, and it will get you movin' and groovin'. However, it is the calm before the storm that is the title track, a ferocious, atonal free jazz slugfest where almost all musical convention is thrown out the window. But like its influence Ornette Coleman, the song "Offramp" is grounded in loosely-structured melody. If it wasn't, I couldn't stand it, but I really dig it, and hopefully, you will too. It was almost as if Metheny was saying, "Alright, guys, we did you a favor. Nana, Lyle and I wrote a tune that's 'pleasing to the ears' and 'relaxing'. Yeah, we gave you what you wanted. So allow us, good people, to kindly counter with an incendiary opus that is beneficial to the progression of our musical erudition. In other words, 'Kiss our grits, we're gonna go crazy'. Yeah.

Returning to conventional jazz form on "James" as a way of cooling off after "Offramp" was wise, and shows off just how versatile a band they are. This loving tribute to James Taylor has amazing solos, especially on Lyle's part, probably the best he's ever done. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and a great end at that, with "The Bat Part II", a gorgeous reworking of "The Bat" from Metheny's trad jazz album "80/81".

I'm sorry this review is so long, but not enough can be said about how fantastic this album is. It has held up so well because its spirit can be felt in every Group album that came afterwards. Sit back and enjoy the ride.

GRADE: A+

Will the guitarist please stand up???.......2007-01-10

Pat Metheny is a great player. He is a great GUITAR player. I don't understand why he feels the need to hide behind the "guitar synth" mask so much of the time. His playing on "Offramp" is incredible, his writing collaboration with Lyle Mays is great and the ensemble is excellent. I just don't understand why it took me until the third cut on the album to hear an instrument that sounded like a guitar instead of a synthesizer playing in the style of a guitarist (or maybe it was a guitarist trying to sound like a synthesizer, I couldn't tell.)

Normally, I don't have a problem with an artist trying to achieve a sound that is outside of the norm. The problem I have with Metheny's guitar synth is that it doesn't really contribute to the music at all. It just heightens the cheese-factor of the music. As a listener, I don't like having to hack my way through thick walls of molten mozzarella with a machete in order to recognize the greatness of the music. Plus, it detracts from his image as a great guitarist when the listener has trouble separating Metheney from Mays. The synth-disease isn't as bad on this album as it is on Secret Story, but I just don't see any reason for the infection at all. The title track especially promises to be one of the most musically interesting tracks on the CD, but the guitar synth just detracts from the material.

Overall, I guess what I'm saying is that I like to hear Metheny play in a more straight-ahead setting. Who wants to hear a guitar that sounds like a diseased brass instrument? Not me.

Proof that the music can transport you........2006-07-06

Absolutely my favorite of Metheny's many great recordings. Lyle Mayes has got to be the reason. These two teamed up twenty five years ago and put together one of those legendary "got to own" recordings that belong in every cd library.

Other reviewers cover the specfics of this cd quite well so I will not. Instead, I will say that if you have ever wanted to sit down late in the evening, pour a glass of wine and just melt away this music is the vehicle for your escape. Hit the Off Ramp, down shift and enjoy the lovely ride off the highway.

mind-blowing music.......2006-04-25

n3ur010g1c said it really well. I only wanted to add my two cents to an already glowing bunch of reviews. I bought this album used on cassette, and the tape suffered from constant drop-outs and severe noise, almost as though it had been set too close to a magnet or something. But I listened to it anyways, and all the audio glitches only added to its mysterious aura. Finally, I managed to find the songs online(I'm so broke you wouldn't believe it-I don't even own a working cd player), and so I went about re-recording the music onto the same tape. After hearing it as it was intended to sound, this quickly became one of my most favorite albums, ever.

It just raises the bar for good, modern music to an unseen height for me. I almost felt cheated, that this was released in '82, and it took me this long to hear this. It most reminds me of the kind of stuff one might hear in a soundtrack to a movie from Europe, or maybe the film Koyaanisqatsi(the one where they shoot various city scenes and speed it up to a near blur). It also reminds me of stuff like some the National Film Board of Canada vignettes shorts that used to be so much a part of Canadian consciousness. I'm not nearly versed enough in music and culture (I used to think that folk music was enough), but listening to album makes me feel like I'm in the right place, here in the city, stuck in some otherwise post-modern dreck. It suddenly all disappears, and then I'm back where I'm supposed to be, hearing music that most accurately describes the human experience from a true artist's perspective.

Pat Metheny's "Dark Side of the Moon".......2006-03-24

My cousin has recently brought this album on vinyl,and him and I have spent this evening listening to it,and although I've had this album for nearly 20yrs, on either tape or cd,to hear it on vinyl confirms more than ever what a startling,and indeed truly staggering piece of work this album is...it was like hearing it for the first time....from the pulsing psychedelic beats of the opening track,to the dreamy synth solo in track two,to the techno- wizardry "Ornette Coleman" free -jazz of the title track,Metheny takes you into realms of Jazz not previously witnessed in his music....clearly a foretaste of what was to come with albums like Song X,and Zero Tolerance for Silence.....but it could well be arqued that in light of the album 80/81,Offramp wasn't that much of a suprise.
This album is regarded as one of his very best ,if not THE best Metheny's ever done,and rightly so...and bought to the fore the use of the guitar synth with its very unique sound,and range of possibilities.
There's not a lot I can say that hasn't already been said about this album,so here's a few thoughts.....
For me this album is at once dark,brooding,driven,other-worldly,almost psychedelic, yet gentle,light,sane,and utterly romantic..."Are you going with Me" contains the most rivetting, sensual, synth solo from Metheny,oozing a sense of space and time,with notes that are left hanging mid -air,the relentless build up to the musical climax....one almost gets the feeling that God has taken over...
"Au Lait" I find to be absolutely intriquing,I haven't quite made up my mind wether its haunting or romantic in its mood....but the opening few minutes or so remind me of a Priest giving a service in Latin,the last rites at a funeral,and as for the music,well I regard it as among the most brilliant examples yet of taking a simple phrase and spinning it out, but each time making it unique and with a depth of feeling.Pat and Lyle's playing is beautifully understated,and Nana's vocal effects reaches into your soul."Au Lait" makes me cry...
As for the title track...well... it cracks me up every time I hear it,its so wild and wacky....Metheny basicly goes awol with the synth guitar,a high octane Ornette Coleman inspired musical roller coaster that almost leaves you breathless at the end,but underpinning it all is a profound sense of structure, direction,and overall concept- it is truly amazing,and has to be heard to be believed.
Other reviewers have said more and said it much better than I have here,but be in no doubt Offramp is a truly mind blowing album,and is THE place to start if you are new to Metheny's music,and want a recommendation......if,on the otherhand, your a longtime fan,and if, for some unfathomable reason, you've NOT got this album,what the heck are you waiting for?....go and get it,light some candles,get a glass of wine and brace yourself for one hell of a trip!
Rating:10/10

Average customer rating: Only for die-hard fans far from par Better Live! Kick ( )

Hellos & Goodbyes Buck-O-Nine Manufacturer: Offramp Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Ska Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Third Wave Ska | Ska | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Ska General | Ska | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Hardcore & Punk | Live Albums | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Post Grunge | American Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music Ska | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music Ska Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Libido Pass The Dutchie [EP] Twenty-Eight Teeth ASIN: B00004XR2Y Release Date: 2000-09-12

Tracks:

1. Sorry We're Late!
2. Round Kid
3. Who Are They?
4. I'm The Man
5. Falling Back To Sleep
6. Tear Jerky
7. Albuquerque
8. Jennifer's Cold
9. Here We Go Again
10. Tell It Like It Was
11. Calling In Sick
12. Irish Drinking Song
13. My Town
14. Nineteen
15. Barfly
16. Lost And Down
17. I've Got To Go
18. Third Floor
19. Something To Find
20. Hellos And Goodbyes

Customer Reviews:

Only for die-hard fans.......2006-07-06

I collect music, it is my hobby. This Buck O Nine c.d. is fairly good but nothing too amazing. The sound quality is not that good, you hear more bass than anything else, but the band I think knows that. As for the unreleased songs, they are really good, more reggea then ska, but overall really good. I only say die-hard fans buy this because one, it is out of print and two, to really enjoy it you have to have all the albums. If just getting into Buck O Nine buy 'Libido' or '28 Teeth.'

Sounds Like: Less Than Jake, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Mustard Plug

far from par.......2001-02-14

Seeing Buck-o-nine is definately one of the best shows you'll experience mostly because it seems to be more enjoyable for them to be playing for you than for you to be there. They always take the time say thanks to their fans. Once the trombone player ran across Sunset blvd dodging traffic just to thank me for coming to the show when all i did was wave to him. Not that their musicianship wasn't phenomenal, they are tight, skilled and explode with energy and between every song they become as entertaining conversationalists as players. That's why i was a little disappointed in this live effort. The sound quality pays them no respect and seems kind of dud. I feel that for a band that thrives on stage this album does not represent them well. Too bad for such a great band. Don't let this album or review taint your image of a band that has never let me down at a show and if they are ever in your area pick up a ticket immediately.

Better Live!.......2000-11-06

This album is AMAZING! If you have ever been lucky enough to see Buck-O-Nine live then you know what I am talking about! All the best songs with Jon's famous in between chit chat....Highly reccomended!

Kick ( ).......2000-10-18

this cd is far the best of all the buck-o-nine cd's. my favorite cd from buck-o-nine was Libido but now its Hellos and Goodbyes. with songs like Who Are They? and Barfly, you'll be jammin all night long. if you don't have any cd's from buck-o-nine then i'd say get this one first. i would! but i also suggest to buy cd's from other bands like reel big fish, goldfinger, less than jake, a new found glory, the hippos, junction 18, and saves the day. all of those bands are great especially junction 18.

Average customer rating: good stuff

Nothing Comes Clean Scrimmage Heroes Manufacturer: Offramp Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Punk-Pop | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music Rock | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music ASIN: B00004XR2Z Release Date: 2000-10-10

Tracks:

1. Happy Accidents
2. Know Idea
3. Melodrama
4. Tired of Making Friends
5. Little Opal
6. My Fault
7. Arkansas
8. Thoughts About Snow
9. Artificial Limbs
10. Red Tape Phaser
11. Academy Fight Song
12. Ripped Off

Customer Reviews:

good stuff.......2002-03-12

this is a good so cal indy rock wih some punkish feeling in them. All talented the lead singer Nolan is good and so is the guitarist Frank. Good music, Happy Accidents is a real winner, support this great band

Average customer rating:

Offramp Pat Metheny Group Manufacturer: Ecm ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music ECM Classical | ECM Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music ECM Jazz & World | ECM Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Jazz | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B00006HB89 Release Date: 2007-03-14

Tracks:

1. Barcarole
2. Are You Going with Me?
3. Lait
4. Eighteen
5. Offramp
6. James
7. Bat, Pt. 2

Album Description

Japanese limited edition reissue of 1981 album, 24 carat gold disc packaged in a miniature LP sleeve. ECM Records. 2002.

Album Details

Japanese Limited Edition in an LP-STYLE Slipcase.

Average customer rating:

Offramp Pat Metheny Group Manufacturer: Universal Japan ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Jazz | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B000197JT0 Release Date: 2004-04-12

Tracks:

1. Barcarole
2. Are You Going with Me?
3. Lait
4. Eighteen
5. Offramp
6. James
7. Bat, Pt. 2

Album Details

Japanese Limited Edition Gold CD in an LP-STYLE Slipcase.

Average customer rating: Mozart reicarnated

Offramp Pat Metheny Group Manufacturer: Universal ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Jazz | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B00008KKTL Release Date: 2003-05-05

Tracks:

1. Barcarole
2. Are You Going with Me?
3. Lait
4. Eighteen
5. Offramp
6. James
7. Bat, Pt. 2

Customer Reviews:

Mozart reicarnated.......2003-04-30

Pat Metheny is Mozart reincarnated; his genius marries rhythm and melody into "harmolodics" as practiced by Ornette Coleman.
This essential Metheny collection shows the great versatility of the group, from simple ballads to rip roaring free exchange jazz that is electric each time it is heard. This is the distictive Metheny sound; a must for true music lovers.

Average customer rating: OFFRAMP DEBUT

Offramp Manufacturer: Offramp ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music ASIN: B000CA3Z4G Release Date: 2003-08-19

Customer Reviews:

OFFRAMP DEBUT.......2005-11-23

The debut release of OFFRAMP is a collection of music reflective of both progressive and traditional rock and one that while reminiscent of such bands as Kansas, Pink Floyd, Rush, and the Allman Brothers, is unique in its own right.

Arranged as a four piece and structured around the core of piano and organ, the majority of the music was recorded live with a concerted effort to flex some spontaneity and improvisation during many of the longer instrumental passages. The subsequent result is a strong debut from OFFRAMP and one that stands apart from contemporary rock music.

For more information on OFFRAMP, please visit the website at:
www.offrampband.com.


Look for the second OFFRAMP release in 2005

Average customer rating: off ramp

Offramp Pat Metheny Group Manufacturer: Universal Japan ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Jazz | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B0006TPFJQ Release Date: 2005-05-03

Tracks:

1. Barcarole
2. Are You Going with Me?
3. Lait
4. Eighteen
5. Offramp
6. James
7. Bat, Pt. 2

Album Description

Limited edition Japanese only pressing of Pat Metheny's 1981 album, packaged in a miniature LP sleeve. Universal. 2005.

Album Details

Japanese Limited Edition in an LP-STYLE Slipcase.

Customer Reviews:

off ramp.......2007-01-15

great album. was glad that i could get it in dvd form.

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