Album: 80/81

Introduction
"80/81" is a double album by jazz guitar player Pat Metheny, released in 1980. It is among Metheny's the majority of ambitious and diverse projects, featuring a vast array of influences and styles, from traditional jazz and bebop to avant-garde experimentation. The album was taped by Metheny's band at the time, which included bassist Charlie Haden, drummer Jack DeJohnette, saxophonist Dewey Redman, and saxophonist and flutist Michael Brecker. The band members were all well-established jazz artists with their own distinct styles, and their cooperation on "80/81" led to a special and highly prominent musical experience.

The album consists of nine tracks in overall, differing in state of mind and pace, with complex tunes, rich harmonic structures, and distinctive improvisations. It can be described as a blend of post-bop, blend, and complimentary jazz styles, demonstrating Metheny's compositional expertise and boundary-pushing approach to jazz music.

Tracklist and Overview
1. "Two Folk Songs" (20:44) - The album opens with a legendary 20-minute piece that starts with an atmospheric ballad including Redman's reflective tenor saxophone and Metheny's fragile acoustic guitar, followed by a vibrant, up-tempo folk-inspired section with an infectious melody and an exhilarating saxophone solo by Brecker.

2. "80/81" (7:28) - The title track, "80/81", is an energetic, complex, and highly rhythmic composition that showcases Metheny's virtuosity on the electric guitar, in addition to the tight interplay and dynamic improvisations between the band members.

3. "The Bat" (5:58) - "The Bat" is a brooding and introspective piece with a haunting melody played by Metheny on acoustic guitar, accompanied by Haden's deep, resonant bass and DeJohnette's subtle brushwork on drums.

4. "Turnaround" (7:04) - This track is a positive and playful rendition of the Ornette Coleman tune that highlights the band's improvisational abilities and features energetic solos from Redman and Brecker.

5. "Open" (14:28) - "Open" begins with a spacious and experimental introduction, featuring improvised textures and soundscapes from the entire band. It develops to a complex, multi-layered composition with moving tempos and complex melodic and harmonic interplay, highlighting Metheny's skill as a composer and arranger.

6. "Pretty Scattered" (6:56) - This track includes an appealing, positive melody, driven by Metheny's electric guitar and accompanied by Brecker's brilliant and punchy saxophone.

7. "Every Day I Thank You" (13:15) - A reflective and introspective ballad, "Every Day I Thank You" is a wholehearted tribute to Metheny's mentor and good friend, Gary Burton. It starts with a fragile and beautiful tune played by Metheny's acoustic guitar and slowly evolves into a rich, expansive piece with psychological solos from Redman and Haden.

8. "Goin' Ahead" (3:56) - A brief but dynamic track that showcases Metheny's special and detailed fingerpicking style on the acoustic guitar.

9. "The Owl From Sawdust" (6:18) - The album closes with this atmospheric and impressionistic piece, featuring Metheny on electrical guitar and a variety of electronic impacts. It produces a dreamy and transcendent sonic landscape, providing a fitting end to the journey that "80/81" takes its listeners through.

Legacy and Influence
"80/81" is thought about to be a turning point in Pat Metheny's discography and a landmark in the world of jazz combination. Its complex compositions, ingenious arrangements, and skillful musicianship have actually influenced generations of musicians and listeners alike, making it an important album for connoisseurs of modern jazz.