Pat Metheny brought his Dream Box Tour to the Gillioz on March 12 with numerous guitars, some surprises and himself.
In the beginning of the concert, he chatted about his youth in Lee’s Summit, his attachment to Missouri, working with his friend Charlie Haden who lived in Forsyth, and performing with other Kansas City musicians. Then he picked up a guitar and made some soothing, slow music that set a meditative mood.
Next were several strummed pieces, followed by a harsh piece with garage-band-like scraunchy noise. Numerous guitars were employed throughout the show, including a baritone guitar.
Halfway through the performance, Pat escorted his unique 42-string Pikasso guitar to the stage. The instrument may sound like chimes, a harp, a synthesizer, or a guitar. It was amazing.
Later, he walked to the back of the stage where a huge contraption was uncovered to reveal two shelves of cymbals, drums, shakers and many strikers, which made music without Metheny’s help. Further along, he played several guitars, each on a stand, and made an ensemble. It felt like a Rube Goldberg machine. Lots of fun!
At the end, he played “Wichita Lineman” in a delicate way as an encore.
