Reviews

FORT WORTH – While snow, sleet and cold raised havoc outside, the Pat Metheny Trio heated things up Thursday evening inside Bass Performance Hall, to the delight of everyone.

Turnout was generous and the ambience was explosive as Mr. Metheny strode into the spotlight alone, opening the show with 15 minutes of guitar solos. The group then joined him, sporting a well-crafted playlist that included "One Quiet Night," a soothing up-tempo number with pronounced bass riffs.

The group – consisting of Mr. Metheny, Christian McBride and Antonio Sanchez – gave the faithful just what they had come for: an evening of good smooth jazz. Their collaboration on the upbeat groove "Let's Move" was a musical work of art, with each musician displaying impeccable solos.

Mr. Metheny's crisp string vibrato and distinctive improvisational licks evoked easy comparisons to one of his primary influences, finger-plucking guitar legend Wes Montgomery.

From his first album, Bright Size Life, to his newest 10-track release, Day Trip, he's maintained a qualitative consistency, which was exceptionally notable during the riveting tune "A Night Away."

Mr. McBride showed why he's the bassist of choice with lucid, bottom-heavy bass lines, which reinforced the highs and lows of Mr. Sanchez's cool palpitations.

The dignified audience expressed glee as the threesome dove into the funk-edged "When We Were Free."

The show was good, but it would have been a little jazzier if there had been an occasional vocal performance.

Although Mr. Metheny has been a standout in jazz circles for more than 30 years, he'll likely go down as one of the finest guitarists of any genre.

Phil Brown is a Dallas freelance writer.

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