As Falls Wichita, So Falls Wichita Falls

Released in 1981 on the ECM label, 'As Falls Wichita, So Falls Wichita Falls' represents a pivotal moment in Pat Metheny's career, moving away from the traditional quartet format toward a highly collaborative, synth-heavy duo project with keyboardist Lyle Mays. The album is anchored by its twenty-minute title track, a multi-movement suite that incorporates field recordings, ambient textures, and dramatic dynamic shifts, signaling a departure from standard jazz fusion into more cinematic and experimental territory. The recording features Nana Vasconcelos on percussion and vocals, adding an organic, earthy counterpoint to the sophisticated electronic layers. Critically, it is regarded as a high-water mark for the 'ECM sound' - characterized by pristine production and a sense of spatial openness. The track 'September Fifteenth' is a notable tribute to jazz pianist Bill Evans, who passed away shortly before the recording, showcasing the duo's ability to blend technical precision with deep, elegiac emotion.