Although this is a ‘solo’ guitar recording, there are several Pat Methenys at work on here. The first Pat Metheny lays down the chords and harmonic structure, the second Pat Metheny adds the composition's melody and improvisations on top, and a third Pat Metheny is concerned with post-production. The sound is big without being loud (unless you dial up the volume beyond normal settings), and in a sense orchestral too, since with Pat Metheny all roads lead back to the Pat Metheny Group. He sees the bigger picture, not a broad canvas, but in terms of the inner detail necessary to realise the music's full potential.

And that is why this album is an unqualified success and an important addition to his distinguished discography. There are no extremes of tempo, one composition leads into the next, to create an overall listening experience – what used to be called ‘the album experience’ – or musical journey and because it functions as both background and foreground music it finds a place in your life.