KSTV: NCW plays Bright Size Life - Jan. 16

Nick Costley-White (guitar); Ferg Ireland (bass); Will Cleasby (drums) + Ivo Neame (piano)

(Screenshots by Ken Drew)

In December 1975 a twenty one year old guitarist recorded a debut album. Early 1976 Bright Size Life was released on Manfred Eicher's ECM label. The guitarist was Pat Metheny, the rest is history. Helping the American wonderkind make history that day some forty five years ago was one Jaco Pastorius, bass guitar icon, and drummer Bob Moses. Here at Kansas Smitty's 2021, Nick Costley-White took up the challenge of playing the album. 

Assisting NCW in his endeavours were Kansas Smitty's own bass maestro, Ferg Ireland, and drummer Will Cleasby, plus, on a couple of tracks, a special guest. Costley-White certainly captured Metheny's ethereal sound. One assumes NCW is a fan of PM!  

The title track - Bright Size Life - opened this evening's live stream (it's the opening track on the album). The trio played a further three numbers before NCW invited Ivo Neame to join him. 

The addition of pianist Neame injected a degree of urgency on Sirabhorn and Missouri Uncompromised with five-string electric Ireland and in-the-pocket Cleasby in cruise mode. The latter number swung as first NCW stretched out with Neame following up with what looked like being a set-stealing solo, only for Cleasby to come clattering in to remind us he's numero uno in these here parts.

And to close, the lyrical Omaha Celebration. If you're a Pat Metheny fan you'll want to check out this set - see Kansas Smitty's Facebook page.  

Russell

 

Set list:           

Bright Size Life; Unity Village; Midwestern Nights Dream; Unquity Road; Sirabhorn; Missouri Uncompromised; Omaha Celebration.