First Circle

The title track is one of my favourites. I love the clapping rhythm at the start. I did master it once! I also love the way it peaks.The first track is silly but I saw the Group live in 1987 at Hammersmith and they started the concert with it while the lights were up, the audience were still finding their seats and with some of the band coming in from the back, playing while walking through the audience. A great way to start, breaking the ice immediately.Overall, it has a wonderful feel.

Excellent album. Prompt delivery. I know we have to save on plastic but I'm not sure about the thin cardboard covers. It doesn't feel like a cd. Never mind. Think of the planet. Cheers.

Great album, good service

have it on LP

Fabulous

Let's get past the first track, which is to be honest ridiculously awful (and most would not disagree) ... In fact lets start the album at track 2 ... and what you have is light, melodic, sunny, jazz-rock with elements of Prog, elements of Brazilian music, complex time signatures that groove so well you wouldn't notice the cleverness of what is happening here - and great memorable melodies. That is the key. On this album (in my view one of the Metheny's best) he and his stellar group which includes co-writer (on many tracks) Lyle Mays, create music which is incredibly clever and sophisticated in terms of rhythm, harmony, structure and group musicianship and yet this music always has the atmosphere, energy, production, groove and melodicism to appeal to anyone ... on repeated listens... The only thing close (perhaps a little better) in terms of marrying intelligent music making with pure hedonistic listening joy is Steely Dan.... But still, without a doubt a solid 4 stars (despite the false start of track 1)...

If you have not heard of the Pat Metheny Group then you have missed big time try this CD for start

Unlike many of the reviewers here, I actually get the first track. Its a subtle piss-take on the 'everyone gets a prize', 'there are no losers' attitude so prevalent then and now in society.As a parent I have sat through a number of excrutiatingly awful Christmas and end of year concerts and clapped like mad at the discordant and out of tune music on offer. I have also listened to hundreds of albums by the latest and greatest and found them vacuous and derivative.'Forward March' prepares you for what is to come i.e. an album of masterful and emotional writing and playing.This isn't 'elevator muzak' or Jazz-lite. Its a proundly moving album mixing Methenys Brazilian influences (the girlfriend who led to the 'Secret Story' album) and Mays East Coast melody and lyricism influenced so much by Bill Evans.Ignore the first track by all means but preferably listen to it and then be staggered about the gulf between wannabees and the real thing.