Peter Sprague Plays Pat Metheny Vol.1

The innovative guitar playing and the gorgeous compositions of Pat Metheny have had an enormous influence on me and my music. When I got out of high school I spent a sweltering summer in Boston and that’s when I first heard him play. I was blown away and followed him around town and eventually had the good fortune of taking a few lessons. It was one of the big moments of my musical life and I remain a true believer in the message that he’s sending out through this songs.

The whole idea of mixing jazz with a midwestern twang, inviting a Jimmy Webb classic chord progression to seep in, exploring an Ornette Coleman interstellar space odyssey makes perfect sense to Pat Metheny and that’s why we love his music. Add to it his incredible skills on the guitar and you’ve got a beautiful perfect storm.

On this recording we’re playing a collection of Pat’s music set to lyrics by Randy Phillips and sung by vocalists Leonard Patton and Rebecca Jade. I’ve always believed that really well written songs can continue to illuminate with new interpretations. I hope you enjoy what we sometimes we call the Lyricized Metheny.

Peter Sprague
February, 2022

Produced by Peter Sprague
Recorded at SpragueLand Studios, Encinitas, CA / 2000 – 2021
Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Peter Sprague at SpragueLand Studios

Cover design by PeterSprague
Cover double neck guitar by Andy Powers
Special thanks to Pat Metheny, Yuris Zeltins, Andy Powers, D’Addario Strings, and Iron Horse Amps

1) Bilbao
(Pat Metheny, Randy Phillips)
Peter Sprague — guitars
Leonard Patton — vocals
Barnaby Finch — piano
Mack Leighton — bass
Duncan Moore — drums

2) She Ain’t Here
(Pat Metheny, Randy Phillips)
Peter Sprague — guitars
Rebecca Jade — vocals
John Opferkuch — piano
Mack Leighton — bass
Duncan Moore — drums

3) Life Loves Lone Jack
(Pat Metheny, Lyle Mays, Randy Phillips)
Peter Sprague — guitars
Leonard Patton — vocals
Barnaby Finch — piano
Justin Grinnell — bass
Dylan Savage — drums

4) Wichita Lineman
(Jimmy Webb)
Peter Sprague — guitars
Rebecca Jade — vocals
John Opferkuch — piano
Mack Leighton — bass
Duncan Moore — drums

The reason we’re playing this classic tune is because it influenced Pat’s composing. He once said “all of my songs are attempts at writing “Wichita Lineman” again and again.”

5) Maybe The Stars
(Pat Metheny)
Peter Sprague — guitars
John Opferkuch — piano
Mack Leighton — bass
Duncan Moore — drums

During the pandemic we shifted over to playing livestream concerts from my recording studio. I told Pat about these shows and he agreed to contribute a brand new hot off the press composition that’s never been heard or played before. He wasn’t on tour and like the rest of us had to figure out how he wanted to spend his new abundance of free time. He ended up starting each day off with his guitar in hand, hunting for that magic tune.

I’ll let him tell the story.

“Basically, I wake up every morning and write a tune – mostly knowing that my batting average basically follows that of an average Padres bench outfielder…around .217 or so….lol. So, I figure if I write a lot of stuff, I can get maybe 2 out of 10 that I will feel good about that can survive getting pounded on every night for 150 gigs in a row or so. But, honestly, I never really know which ones will make it and which won’t – nor does it mean that the other 8 are bad tunes…just that I don’t think they have the robust thing that I shoot for.

So….how about this? Maybe I could send you a tune or two from “the pile” and you guys could do a version? No obligation…just a thought of a way I might contribute.”

So here’s that brand new tune and it’s a beauty!

6) Travel Far Away From Home
(Pat Metheny, Lyle Mays, Randy Phillips)
Peter Sprague — guitars
Leonard Patton — vocals
Barnaby Finch — piano
Justin Grinnell — bass
Dylan Savage — drums

7) Minuano
(Pat Metheny, Lyle Mays)
Peter Sprague — guitars
Dianne Reeves — vocals
John Opferkuch — piano
Mack Leighton — bass
Duncan Moore — drums

What a thrill it is to have a special guest appearance from Grammy Award winner Dianne Reeves singing this classic Metheny song. I’ve been fortunate to tour with Dianne and for many years this song has been her opening number. The audience goes wild and understandably so —the blendo of Dianne’s vocal improvising with Pat’s perfect song touches all of the right spots of the human condition.