The Orchestrion Project [3D/Blu-ray] [3D Blu-ray]

I first saw Pat Metheny in the early 1970's when we were both young men. Watching his guitar wizardry and listening to his group on that beautiful summer night in Chicago stuck with me over the years and through various Metheny collaborations. I've seen him in person several times since, most recently when he was on tour with his Unity Band. Although that show was pretty much straight up jazz, he had an unusual assortment of instruments and objects set up in the back of the stage. They just sat there for the most part until Metheny released his bandmates, threw a switch or something and the gizmos lit up and started moving. This was in fact, a smaller set up of the Orchestrion (a generic name for a machine that plays music and is designed to sound like an orchestra or band) Project.When I got home I dug out a CD from 2010 called "Orchestrion." I had listened to it casually a couple times and filed it away after making a note: "This live concert shows that Metheny still has it." Boy, did I blow it! I obviously wasn't paying attention to the detail. The CD features 5 tracks which are replicated here on the Blu ray disc.Along with the opening "Unity Village" segment, this concert feature (recorded in his studio) runs a little over an hour. The next 3 pieces, including "Stranger in Town" run another 26+ minutes. Pat includes 4 songs shown as "Bonus Songs" (about 21 minutes) and include "Tell Her You Saw Me" and "Antonia" from 1992's "Secret Story" album, one of my favorites.Metheny has managed to put together a huge undertaking and has made it work beautifully. It is truly mind boggling to understand how the genius of coming up with all this can project music of this quality. Not only did Metheny have to arrange and presumably program these musical segments, but he invented several of the "instruments." This not only needed great musical talent but a yearning for something different. A challenge that includes a knowledge of physics, electrical engineering and computer programming. I suspect this will remain just another one of Metheny's many collaborations. Surely he will still need the inspiration of playing with human musicians.This Blu ray is a 3-D version (go figure) and while I don't have a 3-D display, it plays fine in 2-D. Because of lighting limitations the quality of the picture varies with the lighting. That is to say, it's nothing special but certainly not bad. The audio has a couple options including a Dolby TrueHD 5.1/7.1 track and lossless 2.0 stereo. As you might expect the sound was magnificent in both outputs. Additional bonus features include an interview with Metheny, a "making-of" feature, a recording session and more.

I must admit to being a fan of Pat's early decades more than say the last 15 years or so. For me everything he ever did with PMG up til "Imaginary Day" was first rate work. As a musician Pat Metheny is second to none. He sometimes loses me with style...(what the heck was that "Zero Tolerance For Silence" thing all about any way?)...and I definitely prefer him with the group as opposed to his trio or solo work.The description of this show has already been written about here. I just want to add to the positives. The technical ability to put this all together is nothing short of genius. The set up and arrangement of all these instruments and tools deserves 10 stars. Video quality is kinda dark at times but clear and the aspect ratio is just shy of 16x9 so there's a tiny bit of letter box going on. A minor quibble. The HD 5.1/7.1 mix and sound is VERY good. As is the stereo track. Menu editing is quite basic and on mine at least there was no sound what so ever on the root menu. (Oppo 93) Just the songs which sound amazing.You really never have seen or heard anything like this before. Sort of like a player piano, a wind up monkey with cymbals, a super computer and musical guru and their prodigy. Sort of indescribable.

This disc presents an amazing performance by Pat Metheny. It is a concerto for guitar and orchestra; orchestra parts composed and played by Metheny on his Orchestrion. Earlier reviewers discuss the Orchestrion in detail. It is a unique instrument and a major accomplishment for sure, but nevertheless for me the most enjoyable part of the disc is Metheny's amazing guitar playing, so fluid, melodic, lively - perfect. His playing, his improvisations, track after track, are amazing. The Orchestrion provides first-class accompaniment. Metheny is the star soloist in this unique concerto. One review is very critical about the lighting. I suppose the lighting could have been better at times but the shadows on Metheny's face bothered me only in the opening track. Regarding bonus/extra content, as on "The Way Up" blu-ray disc, also here Metheny discusses the project in a highly articulate manner. It is truly a pleasure to listen to him speak. And still, he admits in a funny section of the interview, he could not explain the project to his wife who thought he has lost it.

Un 3D superbe avec pleins d'instruments musicaux automatisés. À voir et revoir.

yo recomiendo mucho a este vendedor,muy buen servicio. muy eficiente y con mucha calidad en el servicio. agradesco mucho. muchas gracias

Just like being there.