Album: What's It All About

Introduction
"What's It All About" is a critical studio album by guitar player and author Pat Metheny, released on June 14, 2011, by Nonesuch Records. The record is a collection of ten solo guitar covers of tunes from the '60s and '70s, which Metheny claims were a considerable impact on him during his developmental years. With this album, the Grammy-winning guitar player checks out these classics with his distinct and innovative technique, reimagining tunes by stars such as Paul Simon, The Beatles, and The Ventures.

Background and Concept
"What's It All About" is Metheny's 39th album and acts as a follow-up to his extremely well-known 2003 solo guitar album, "One Quiet Night". The principle behind this album emerged from Metheny's desire to reconnect with the music he had actually grown up with and the tunes that at first inspired him to pursue a career in music.

In a declaration, Metheny explained that these tunes from the 1960s and 1970s played an important function in forming his aesthetic sensibilities and worked as a foundation for his compositional instincts. By reimagining these influential works, Metheny pays homage to his musical roots and offers a fresh, modern perspective on popular classics.

Instrumentation and Style
Metheny showcases his remarkable capabilities as a guitar player on "What's It All About", playing both a custom-modified, 42-string Pikasso guitar constructed by Linda Manzer and a baritone guitar. The unique tones and textures of these instruments allow Metheny to produce captivating arrangements of the original songs, infusing them with his signature design and innovative strategies.

Throughout the album, Metheny releases a fingerpicking approach that is greatly affected by classical guitar techniques. This creates a delicate and expressive noise, perfectly matched to the introspective, reflective nature of the material. As a guitar player known for his technical prowess and speculative propensities, this technique showcases a more subtle aspect of Metheny's artistry.

Tracklist and Highlights
"What's It All About" features 10 renowned songs from the '60s and '70s, each reinterpreted with Metheny's distinct touch. Some highlights include:

1. "The Sound of Silence" (Paul Simon): Metheny opens the album with an expressive performance of Simon & Garfunkel's timeless, utilizing a fragile fingerpicking method and rich chord voicings to convey the melancholic charm of the original tune.

2. "Cherish" (Terry Kirkman): This intimate interpretation of The Association's precious 1966 hit showcases Metheny's capability to communicate deep feeling through the simpleness of solo guitar.

3. "And I Love Her" (Lennon-McCartney): Metheny breathes new life into this Beatles classic, masterfully using harmonic subtleties and melodic variations to boost the song's inherent poignancy.

4. "Pipeline" (Bob Spickard, Brian Carman): A standout track on the album, this arrangement showcases Metheny's ingenious talent as he skillfully adjusts The Ventures' surf-rock crucial to the intricacies of his Pikasso guitar.

5. "Alfie" (Burt Bacharach, Hal David): Metheny concludes the album with a tender performance of this traditional ballad, showing his capability to communicate powerful feeling through his inspired guitar work.

Reception and Legacy
"What's It All About" was consulted with vital recognition upon its release, earning Metheny his 19th Grammy Award in 2012 for Best New Age Album. The record stands as a testimony to Metheny's versatility as a guitar player and his enduring regard for the musical heritage that shaped his profession. By with dignity revisiting these classic tunes, Metheny at the same time looks back on the past while infusing these classic tunes with his forward-thinking artistry, guaranteeing their continued resonance for brand-new generations of listeners.