Dream Come True

[ GREGOIRE MARET ]

What did you enjoy the most about Lyle?

I remember standing next to him during our sound checks and just marveling at what he was playing just getting a sound on the piano. He was improvising some incredible stuff on the spot. 

What surprised you about Lyle?

It was quite surreal for me to be part of the Pat Metheny Group as I have been a fan for so long. But a thing I never expected was his passion for Lego and programming. Looking back now I know that musicians usually are math inclined... building a huge building with Legos, programming something new on a computer or writing an amazing new piece of music might all be related.

Musically what made Lyle such a special artist?

He was a true genius. His understanding of harmony, melody, sounds, was so uniquely his. It’s hard to express with words what his music did for all us. One just has to listen to The Pat Metheny Group or his solo work to understand what I'm saying.

What was the experience like working with Lyle in the Pat Metheny Group recording The Way Up?

It was a dream come true. The chance to see from the inside how they created such masterpieces. The chance to ask Lyle all the questions I had about his music. lolol 

What is one of your favorite “Lyle” tracks?

There are many. I cant just name one. I love his compositional vision and how he mixed arrangements, composition with improvisation.... how he "colored" the music sonically with unusual instrumentations, mixing acoustic with electronic or electric instruments. The result was always pure beauty.