Steve Rodby – Bass

I have loved this tune for so long that I was surprised that I had not done this transcription before. The tune is a collaboration between Pat Metheny and the groups then singer/multi-instrumentalist Pedro Anzar. The whole is so beautifully structured and the arrangement is absolutely inspired. Having listened to the tune 1,000 times (is), I was surprised to find it features Steve Rodby on electric bass. Great fun to play and not that difficult to read but the bar lengths are not conventional. I wrote it in 2:4 because I have the lead chart and that is what it says it is and the resolutions do not land on the one if you write it out in 4:4. Otherwise, it’s a great chart tor intermediate readers to try a disciplined read.

The tune is ‘Dream Of The Return’ from the 1989 Pat Metheny Group album ‘Letter From Home’. I have attached the Portuguese lyrics because I feel that they are one of the most beautiful elements of the piece, even though I have not the faintest idea what they mean. The beauty of Art and Music.

Al mar eché un poema
Que llevó con él mis preguntas y mi voz
Como un lento barco, se perdió en la espuma

Le pedí que no diera la vuelta
Sin haber visto el altamar
Y en sueños hablar conmigo de lo que vio
Aun si no volviera
Yo sabría si llegó

Viajar la vida entera
Por la calma azul o en tormentas zozobrar
Poco importa el modo si algún puerto espera

Aguardé tanto tiempo el mensaje
Que olvidé volver al mar
Y así yo perdí aquel poema
Grité a los cielos todo mi rencor
Lo hallé por fin, pero escrito en la arena
Como una oración

El mar golpeó en mis venas
Y libró mi corazón