Mike Stern

[CJ Shearn]

Theres only 3 vocals on "Secret Story", and they really aren't the typical Brazillian, Nascimento influenced Metheny "thing". The Cambodian women's choir on "Beyond the Treetops", the unusual vocalizations on "Finding and Believing", which are a phonetic Hindu chant (I think) and the Japanese vocals on "As a Flower Blossoms(I am Running to You). The deluxe edition of the album has "Understanding", the basic track is from the "Still Life (Talking)" sessions, and was intended for that album but Pat& co. didn't like it. It contains orchestrations from the time of "Secret Story" and some additional parts but the vocals are more traditional PMG.

[Milestones]

Of those records, I know Secret Story the best. Not that many vocals, and certainly not very similar to the stuff on Stern's Voices.

[StarThrower]

Finding And Believing is an incredible tune! And I never had a problem with the wordless Brazilian style vocals. In fact, Tell It All, from The First Circle is a really cool tune with a beautiful vocal melody and an interesting cowbell rhythm. Pat's guitar solo is fantastic on that track!

[CJ Shearn]

Yeah, "Finding and Believing" has some really great metric modulation and harmonies that don't resove where you'd think they do normally. I like the "All Blues" reference at the fadeout too in the piano. "Tell It All" I dig too with Aznar's vocal and Rodby's cello.